Bonnet hinge has come off - need to drive car

[James k]

Hi,
My bonnet hinges have been rattling for a while due to the bolts working themselves loose. I've been tightening them up with the intention of replacing them soon but they've kept coming loose again. Just now I started the engine with the bonnet up and the offside hinge completely came off and sent the bonnet crashing down, putting an impressive scratch in the wing Obviously I now need to replace the hinges but the thing is, I need to drive the car tonight. I need a way to temporarily secure the bonnet while I'm waiting for the hinges. I'm going to try putting the bolts back in but does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks,
James

[les]

I think you are taking a chance if the bonnet is hingeless. If it flies off when driving and does damage, it won't go down well with any insurers. It's a big lump to fly through the air! Final decision is with you of course.

[bmcecosse]

Put then screws in - with some Loctite! And put a bungey cord across the bonnet 'just in case'...

[James k]

I've got the screws back in and it does seem secure enough. I'll order new hinges anyway though.

[simmitc]

A webbing strap with hooks at each end and ratchet. Strap over the bonnet, hooks at top of wheel arches. Plenty of padding to protect the paintwork and then tighten securely.

[les]

Don't pass any police stations/cars!

[kennatt]

I take it that is the studs pulling out of the hinge, if so and you intend buying a new hinge drill straight up through the hinge and put a long bolt through the whole lot then you can use it safely. I did this temp fix once on mine. Changed the hinge 4 years later

[myoldjalopy]

Just take the bonnet off altogether!

[laneychief]

I second bungee, from wing to wing straight across the lid.

[James k]

Thanks for the advice. I've bolted the hinge back on as best I can and secured it with a bungee across the bonnet attached to the wings. I'm going to order new hinges but it seems perfectly secure for the time being.

[James k]

I fitted new hinges on Saturday which was relatively easy. All the bonnet rattles immediately disappeared but are now coming back I'm going to loctite in all the bolts and the studs on the hinge side. Hopefully that will work, otherwise I'll have to get them welded to the bonnet!

[les]

If the hinge bolts are tight they won't be the cause of the rattles.

[James k]

I'm not entirely sure of the mechanism by which it's rattling, the bolts themselves aren't loose enough to rattle, but tightening them does cure it.

[bmcecosse]

You do have the 'gaskets' in place under the hinges ?

[mike.perry]

Rattles could be from the crossbar or tie rods under the bonnet. There should be a felt strip between the bar and the bonnet and also check that the ends of the long cross brace are firmly welded/riveted to the bonnet. Also check that the badges on the sides of the bonnet are tight

[James k]

Whereabouts is the felt strip supposed to be? The badges do come loose so I need to get new clips but they make a different rattling noise. The front bonnet-stop rubbers are missing and so is the rubber strip that goes around the bulk head. Perhaps this could be contributing.

[bmcecosse]

Of course it is - that must be your first move - fit the rubbers.

[mike.perry]

The felt strip fits between the bonnet and the bar that crosses against the inside of the bonnet with rods attatched to the bonnet hinge bolts