Aligning your bonnet? - MINI Cooper Forum

MiniMan7 · #1 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 04:57 PM

Hi all,

Well, my bonnet is certainly unaligned. One side closes down more than the other. I have heard rumours that the bonnet can be adjusted through the side grills. I know how to take them off, but can someone tell me what is needed to align the bonnet itself?

Thanks alot,

Adam

ALD0 · #2 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 06:02 PM

I'd get the dealer to do it, so if something goes wrong, you can have a go at him and even maybe get some MINI goodies!

Minty · #3 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 09:24 PM

dealer did mine, looks perfect now.

joshr · #4 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 10:00 PM

mine is a little off, too. thought maybe it was related to being very difficult to close. i'll bring it up when i go back in.

M0D · #5 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 10:10 PM

My dealer had the cheek to say it was so common I shouldn't worry about it - It's still not aligned as I'm thinking it's too much hassle!

Speedd · #6 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 10:16 PM

mine out slightly but didn't want the dealers to tinker with it just yet. They will have a look at the 10k service.
It doesn't look to bad but i know its there but touch wood all else is well.

Can you live with it MM7?? if not then let the dealer look at it

keep us posted

obehave · #7 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 10:18 PM

If it's only slightly off in the front you can just adjust the latches. From your description this sounds like what you have, can't tell. Is it misaligned back at the cowl or up front so that your site line along the top of the bumper looks off?
A 10mm socket and you're good to go.
There are 2 bolts on each latch. Note the location of each before loosening. The latch has increments stamped into it. Or you can scribe around the bolt head with a fine pencil point to make it easy to return to your starting point should things go awry.
Loosen both bolts until they're just snug then tap the latch with something that won't mar the latch. Screwdriver handle. plastci heaaded mallet, etc.
Works fine.

If you have alignment problems at the rear hinges I can't help you on that one.

obehave · #8 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 10:25 PM

Is there a winner here??

I'm thinking we're both fine, helpful gents

d.griffiths · #9 (**permalink**) Jul 1st, 2003, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Max
Me as well. I think I shall just wait until my warranty runs out then do it myself (set of bolts on the hinge - not difficult but it does require 3 peeps, one to hold the hood, one to adjust the bolts and one to give the orders - or look from head on to check the alignment)

Oops just realised I have no warranty...

Any volunteers to help me this weekend?

There is minimal adjustment on the bonnet end of the hinge, (dont know about the "hinge to scuttle"), and latches are adjustable for movement at the front. Having changed the bonnet,
its no worse than the original !!

MiniMan7 · #10 (**permalink**) Jul 2nd, 2003, 02:04 AM

I'm going to the dealer to have a sensor replaced, I'm going to ask the dealer when I'm there.

Adam

P.S. Thanks for all your help guys!

santacruz · #11 (**permalink**) Jul 2nd, 2003, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joshr
mine is a little off, too. thought maybe it was related to being very difficult to close. i'll bring it up when i go back in.

joshr, I had a difficult to close bonnet and it turned out to be a defective latch on one side. The latch was changed and the cables too and the problem has gone, but it got to the point that I couldn't get the bonnet to close at one side.

joshr · #12 (**permalink**) Jul 2nd, 2003, 02:16 PM

thanks, sounds similar to my problem. i think it still closes on both sides, but it can take me two or three tries, and requires a lot more force than is specified in the manual (a drop from 12 inches). the left side (right if you are facing the car) appears to have a larger gap between the bonnet and the bumper, so i'm guessing it'll be that latch.

Quote:

Originally posted by santacruz
joshr, I had a difficult to close bonnet and it turned out to be a defective latch on one side. The latch was changed and the cables too and the problem has gone, but it got to the point that I couldn't get the bonnet to close at one side.

Andy_Aj · #13 (**permalink**) Jul 2nd, 2003, 02:46 PM

Mine is a perfect fit one side - but has a slightly larger gap the other. I tried adjusting it with the bolts sone time ago but couldn't really improve it - it makes more of a difference to the latching mechanism than the closed position IMO. Also toyed with the idea of bringing it to the attention of the dealer but as it closes OK thought I'd let it go for now.

Anyone who get's this fixed, please post what was done.

Cheers,
Andy

santacruz · #14 (**permalink**) Jul 2nd, 2003, 03:22 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Andy_Aj
[b]Mine is a perfect fit one side - but has a slightly larger gap the other. I tried adjusting it with the bolts sone time ago but couldn't really improve it - it makes more of a difference to the latching mechanism than the closed position IMO. Also toyed with the idea of bringing it to the attention of the dealer but as it closes OK thought I'd let it go for now.

Anyone who get's this fixed, please post what was done.

Andy, I've had it fixed but it needed a new latch and cables. I had noticed the difference in gap between one side and the other but was content to let it go until the problem developed to the point where I couldn't get the bonnet to close at one side. Seems the two problem are related and the dealer said he'd seen the problem before. Anyway now that the new latch has been fitted its perfect.

nickheatheruk · #15 (**permalink**) Jul 2nd, 2003, 04:58 PM

My April Cooper S Works had the same problem (slightly high with a larger gap on one side than the other), along with a very slightly off centre steering wheel. Took it to my local dealer (Broad Oak) and they had the bonnet carefully adjusted and the car perfectly KDS aligned within a couple of hours. Excellent job and service.