Morris Minor Owners Club

Am I correct in assuming that the bonnet striker can be adjusted to make closing easier? At the moment it takes a hefty shove to lock the bonnet down with the front edge ending up very tight against the body in the centre.

It can be moved left/right, but not up/down as far as I'm aware.

Can't the plunger (centre of the spring) be undone/adjusted like on all other cars ?

they are adjustable its hidden behind the badge on the bonnet

The striker plates, however, cannot be adjusted up/down.
Here is a picture of the pin assembly.[frame][/frame]
Presumably (never tried it) the pin can be unscrewed, and (re)secured with the lock nut.

Yes the pin has a screwdriver slot for adjustment.

Remove the bonnet badge which will reveal a hole through which the bonnet catch can be adjsted up or down with a screwdriver.
Make sure that it is correctly adjusted and the bonnet cannot spring open by itself

You NEVER force the bonnet down to shut it - just fold the strut and then drop it. If you force it - it may not reopen!

It always intrigues me why people 'drop' a bonnet, rather than lowering it and clicking it shut! Makes me think they are annoyed about something.

On moderns - the metal is so thin you could easily dent it! And 'clicking' can easily become pushing.... Dropping works fine - chose your own height from where you drop it - I guess I drop from about half way shut.

I'm sure it works Roy, just an observation on my part, like slamming a door at home! Perhaps I'm too sensitive for this world!

My dear wife is always slamming the doors - can't understand why......

bmcecosse wrote:You NEVER force the bonnet down to shut it - just fold the strut and then drop it. If you force it - it may not reopen!

I have never "Forced" the bonnet to shut it, it just needs to be pressed down very firmly to engage the pin in the lock plate.
From the useful replies it seems that the pin merely needs to be adjusted down slightly to engage more easily.
Thanks folks!

bmcecosse wrote:My dear wife is always slamming the doors - can't understand why......

Perhaps she once saw you shutting a bonnet!

It's more likely when she sees me opening a bonnet....

There is a lock nut above the pin plate. You have to loosen that so you can, in your case lengthen the pin. Then when you get it right tighten the locknut while holding the pin still

IIRC don't think you need to take the badge off, you can get at the nut from inside the bonnet end

Took off the two hex head bolts holding the pin assembly to the threaded plate in the bonnet.
Held the assembly in a vice, loosened the lock nut while holding the pin with a screwdriver in the slotted end.
loosened the lock nut by a further few threads then screwed down the pin again using the slot until the lock nut touched the plate then tightened the locknut firmly.
Refitted the assembly to the bonnet plate with the screws just nipped up.
Checked that pin centred in catch plate hole.
Test closed the bonnet and fully tightened the screws then greased assembly.
Bonnet now closes with a gentle downward pressure - 20 minute job!

Are people who drop the bonnet the same people who pull the handbrake on with the ratchet?

It would be nice if people used the handbrake in any form. See how many drivers just sit at lights with stop lamps blazing! Too damn lazy to pull a lever.

les wrote:It would be nice if people used the handbrake in any form. See how many drivers just sit at lights with stop lamps blazing! Too damn lazy to pull a lever.

Yep, the same lazy bozos who drive across roundabouts instead of around them!