pickme
672 posts
Joined: 08/09/2004 23:10:14
Location: Chippenham United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Hidden
Erm.. hinges and the bonnet catch? Seriously though, are you wanting to fit a removable bonnet? If so, there are some very nice quick release hinges available from minispares. Or, drill a hole through the studs on the hinge brackets and fit R pins through instead of the nuts. Means you dont HAVE to remove the bonnet to check the oil, but you can easily remove it for carb work etc.
Posted: Jun 27, 2005 10:11 PM
N. Sansam
3 posts
Joined: 31/12/2004 08:07:30
Location: Weston-Super-Mare United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Mk1 bobnet on a TPi
You can not fit a MK1 bonnet onto a later Mini. From MK3 onwards the locations of the hinges moved. Early bonnets (MK1/2) have the hinges further in
Posted: Dec 13, 2006 01:55 PM
Tim
1849 posts
Joined: 18/10/2004 09:40:59
Location: Bournemouth United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Boot lid
I think Dan was asking about a fibreglass bootlid, not a bonnet, and as far as I know the basic shape and position of the hinges don't change throughout the life of the mini. The recessed area for the numberplate is different on early bootlids, but that won't affect the fitting.
Posted: Dec 06, 2009 05:00 PM
Bonnet
Yours is a Mark 5, I think but basically the panels from 1970 to 1996 are all pretty much the same. According to the Somerford catalogue, there is a different bonnet fitted to 1997 onwards cars, something I wasn't aware of till now. Your N reg will be 1996, so it's possible someone has fitted the later bonnet. I've no idea what the differences are, but it can only be the lock or the hinges. The good news is that the 1970 to 1996 bonnets are extremely easy to get hold of on eBay.
Posted: Dec 16, 2010 02:53 PM
bonnet
It's usually just a case of adjusting the hinges (where the hinge arm bolts to the studs on the bonnet). They are adjustable in two dimensions - up and down as well as in and out.
Posted: Jan 26, 2014 09:09 AM
Splinter
28 posts
Joined: 21/02/2005 20:16:53
Location: Grantham United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
pump
not necessarily! You can put it in the engine bay. If you are lucky there is even a mounting bracket to the right side on the bulkhead, just to the left of the bonnet hinge. A lot of the autograss boys mount theirs here and works for me too!!!
Posted: Mar 28, 2006 09:09 PM
ch1pmunks
Joined: 05/01/2005 13:59:46
Location: wandsworth United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Advice on fItting a GRP Flip front
Can someone with some experience advice me on fitting a complete GRP front end. I need to know what fittings are required eg. hinges, brackets, or straps. So far I i have planned to use Rubber bonnet hook on both sides to the A panels, maybe also a pair of quick release bonnet pins on the top (near scuttle panel). I cant manage to figure out the best way of fitting the front. Should it be permantly hinged or also completely removable. Please advice! Thanks in advance. PS: Any mini enthusiast around Wandsworth Area or SW London. my email: ch1pmunks@dsl.pipex.com
Posted: Mar 16, 2005 12:28 PM
Advice on fitting a GRP flip front
Posted: Mar 16, 2005 09:48 PM
J_Durnan
Joined: 11/05/2007 19:41:05
Location: Kilwinning United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Door Hinges
Does anyone know if the newer style doors can be converted to the older style with external hinges? Or if the external hinges can be bought anywhere?
Also, i've seen a few Coopers (mainly those from The Italian Job) with belts over the bonnet. Why is this? Has it got something to do with the way the bonnet closes?
Posted: Jun 30, 2007 05:51 PM
I doubt you can convert a Mk 3 door to external hinges without a lot of work.
The external hinges are listed in the shop here, try part number 14A6819, etc.
The bonnet straps are fitted for that 'sporty' look - I believe the Motor Sports rules say all cars have to have a secondary bonnet locking device of some sort if you're taking part in competitions.
Posted: Jul 01, 2007 08:06 AM
Snowfruit
31 posts
Joined: 29/11/2004 15:18:22
Location: Killarney Ireland (S.)
Pins
Sorry I should have made that clearer. Im in the process of fitting a flip front. So, unless I can thinkh of a way to hinge the bonnet, I will be fitting a removable bonnet. However I dont like the big bonnet pins that portrude over the top, I prefer something thats a bit more flush fit. How visible are these: C402 - BONNET LOCKABLE PIN ?
Posted: Jun 28, 2005 10:50 AM
Panels
If youre in the slightest doubt how to go about it - DONT DO IT! Get someone else to do it fo you. Granted, theyll charge you for it, but at least it will get done and they can sort out any other bits too (of which there will be a lot). I started out with a small rust bubble around one side repeater, and ended up cutting off both wings, front panel, both A panels, OS door hinge panel, OS scuttle and binning the bonnet. As you can see, once you start looking, you find more than you want. Its very easy to get excited about it now, but six month later when the car is still in pieces you might not feel so eager. And you cant more it now, so youve got to finish it. Only thing I would say is buy the panels and take them somewhere to get them fitted. If the garage buys them youll almost certainly end up paying a premium for them. I ended up getting stung for £130 for a £70 fuel tank once. Never again.
Posted: Jul 07, 2005 05:43 PM
J. Grove
5 posts
Joined: 14/09/2004 21:53:16
Location: Harlow United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Fitting the bonnet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP !!!
Put two layers of masking tape across the front of the car below where the wiper arms attach so that you don't scratch the paint work there. Take the grill off if not already done. You need someone's help if you are not to scratch the wings too. Clip the two arms onto the bonnet and put the washers, spring washers and nuts on but leave them loose- ish. Not so loose that the bonnet flaps about though. You need the nuts to be firm enough to hold the bonnet but still allow for adjustment. If the bonnet pin hasn't been disturbed, shut the bonnet, then push the rear of the bonnet down so that it is in line with the rest of the bodywork. Then reopen the bonnet and tighten the nuts. If the bonnet pin has been disturbed do this last. make sure that the pin is adjusted well out and leave the locating nuts on the top of the metal over the grill aperture loose - ish as above. Shut the bonnet. Open the bonnet. Tighten the nuts. Finally adjust the pin so that the bonnet closes easily but doesn't flop up and down too much. If you ever need to take the bonnet off in future, paint round the hinges etc with tippex or similar first so that you have a witness mark for reassembly John G
Posted: Sep 19, 2007 11:51 AM
rozzer1275
70 posts
Joined: 20/08/2006 15:25:05
Location: harpenden United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
flipfront
its not that hard
you will need angle grinder, drill to remove the old front
remove all lights bumber grill etc from front, remove front sub frame mounts.
remove bonnet (and if you like hinges), drill/grind wing to A panel spot welds and at inner wing under bonnet and cut drill front panel to inner wing mounts, then cut wing from A panels to inner wings then the front should come off.
All strengtheners hinges and clips are avalible from mini spares you may habe to make brakets for the clips though
also Duzs fasteners are nice but will defenitly need brackets made up
I will try to put up some pics
Posted: Jul 18, 2008 07:15 PM
i_am_not_a_name_i_am_a_number?
51 posts
Joined: 15/02/2005 20:00:43
Location: tamworth United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
front end
im in the process of fitting a carbon fibre front end Check out the hinges avaliable from P&L Minis. These bolt onto the front sub-frame and front valance. They work like gate hinges, so when the front is flipped forward you pull it to the side and it seperates. Hey-presto a removable front end! For the A-panels im fitting discreat s/steel bolts with allen key heads and nylon nuts. My arches will be secured in the same way and not cut in half by the seam. Although it will take me longer to undo all the stuff i dont find it a problem because i will not be removing the front as often as a competion car for example. Im hoping the end result will look as standard as possible, i dont want loads of pins sticking out everywere. The bonnet will be secured by a leather strap at the front and quick relese hinges. This means i can open it as usual for everyday stuff but remove it easily when needed.
Posted: Mar 17, 2005 05:00 PM
Van bonnet
According to Somerford, the bonnet used on the van up until 1970 was the same as the one used on saloons up to 1967.
However, there is another bonnet listed for vans 1970 onwards, and it is a different part number from every other bonnet. I can't tell you what the differences are, but I would suspect it's something to do with either the lip at the front, or the way the hinges attach.
Posted: Jun 03, 2018 12:49 PM
Alex
129 posts
Joined: 20/10/2004 23:06:00
Location: York United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Water leakage
Since i got my mini i have never had carpets in them and i have chased water to the following leaks 1. Through the fresh air vents 2. Through the air intake pipe for the heater unit 3. A New hinge panel was welded on and water got between and rotted there the exisiting 4. Window Rubber 5. The welded seam that runs bellow the box section that makes up the pedal box 6. Belive it or not when i washed the car the water channel runnign across the back of the bonnet used to over spill and then water used torun down the back of the blanking plate for were the center clock would go i have curred all these and touch wood 9i have stayed dry there resont monsoons so i might get capet back.
Posted: Jul 06, 2005 12:28 PM
Peter
33 posts
Joined: 12/11/2004 20:35:27
Location: Penryn United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
panels
1. Use GENUINE panels only. Cut the old panels off. Do not turn the steering wheel after this as you need the subframe to stay where it was to align the panels. Rubber mounted frames will move and screw up any chance of alignment if it is your first time. Also, keep the bonnet on if possible so you have a reference to align panels to. If this is wonky, align it properly before you cut anything off. If you need to remove the bonet, as you will to do the scutle, then use a drill to make 2 small holes in the bonnet and the hinge as far apart as possible so you can align them in seconds when you need to temp bolt it up to check panel fit. If you make the holes the same size as coat hanger wire, you can use offcuts of these to pin the bonnet in place without having to mess around with the bolts. 2. start by bolting up the new front panel to the subframe so you have a reference point of sorts. 3. Repair the scutle. I would guess you will find a lot more rot here, like the A panel mounting flange and the bit where the eyeball vents go through. 4. Offer up the wings and clamp them to the new front panel. 5. Offer up the A panels and clamp them to the seam on the wings. Now spend as long as it takes to get the panel gaps right. If you bought pattern panels, it is about this point you will want to set the car on fire.... 6. Check out the fit of the bonnet using the holes you drilled. Weld it up! A spot weld drill is brill for getting the wings off the front end at the inner wing area, You can then drill holes in the new wings and plug weld them on for a factory look without needing a spot welder. Plug weld the front panel to the inner wings as well, much neater. Nothing hard about it. You do need patience and GENUINE PANELS though. Trust me, I have done it with patterns and it took 4 days. The above took 1 day. Cheers
Posted: Jul 19, 2005 04:15 PM
Sarah100
1 posts
Joined: 22/11/2005 17:29:15
Location: Warrington United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Christmas Mini Advice
Hi I was looking for some advice really - my partner has recently bourght a classic mini - the new love of his life I think. He is spending money on very practical things at the moment - stuff to make it go etc - so I was thinking of getting him a few extras for xmas - the type of thing he wouldnt buy himself. I had some ideas - but I know pretty much nothing about minis but had a search through this site: I was thinking maybe * some chrome headlamp peaks * Bonnet straps (saw some nice black leather ones) * Chrome boot hinges * Chrome Windscreen wipers (couldnt find these on site - but they might exist!) * or maybe a subscription to a mini magazine (which one is good??) I have no idea if this is all really naff - or if there is anything more suitable out there. Plus - does the type of mini matter? His is a T reg (new - but old style) Mini cooper - its red and has a white roof. Thats probly all I can tell you! Any help much appriciated. Sorry for being so girly... is this how men feel underwear shopping for women!? Thanks Sarah
Posted: Nov 22, 2005 05:47 PM
daniel broom
12 posts
Joined: 09/11/2010 16:38:54
Location: chatham United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
hi there
thanks for your help on that the i was reading bout that problem, the radiator being moved to the front etc etc lol .
Posted: Dec 22, 2010 05:05 PM