[E-Type] Bonnet tweak help

E-Type
1

My bonnet is slightly misaligned … at the left side where
the peg is supposed to engage in the fitting on the
bulkhead, the peg is about 1/2’’ away from the hole, and the
right side’s it is about 1/2’’ the other way. Photos below:

left hand side:

right hand side:

It looks like it’s just a question of making some small
adjustment at the bonnet hinge, but I’m not sure where or
how. Any advice would be welcome!–
Julian, '69 E-Type 2+2
Pasadena, United States
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2

In reply to a message from jjbunn sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:

Julian,
First verify that the bonnet bulge vent is centered with the center
wiper and screen support rod. This will tell you if you have to
move the entire bonnet to one side OR adjust the wings in and out
on each side.
The wings can be adjusted by loosening two of the four bolts on the
rear bracket connecting them to the center section AND/OR adjust
the peg and fitting on the bulkhead.
The whole bonnet can be moved very easily by first measuring
exactly how far you want to move it. Then support the nose of the
bonnet and loosen the eight bolts only on the side you want to move
the bonnet FROM. Loosen the main pivot bolt the same distance you
want to move the bonnet. Tap the hinge over to the bolt tightly
and retighten the eight hinge bolts then pivot bolt.
Now on the side you want to move the bonnet over TO, simply loosen
the eight hinge bolts and fully tighten the other pivot bolt to
pull the entire bonnet over. Repeat if fine tuning is needed.
Before you loosen the eight hinge bolts, you may need to seak them
with our favorite PB or other lubricant.
Let us know what you find out!
John DeLay 1E12025–
The original message included these comments:

My bonnet is slightly misaligned … at the left side where
the peg is supposed to engage in the fitting on the
bulkhead, the peg is about 1/2’’ away from the hole, and the
right side’s it is about 1/2’’ the other way. Photos below:
left hand side:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5378670001_f25fea4796_z.jpg
right hand side:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5379270398_3755eba609_z.jpg
It looks like it’s just a question of making some small
adjustment at the bonnet hinge, but I’m not sure where or
how. Any advice would be welcome!

–
:John DeLay
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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3

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:

Julian,
Sorry about the ‘‘eight’’ hinge bolts, it should be four per side!!!
John DeLay 1E12025–
The original message included these comments:

Julian,
First verify that the bonnet bulge vent is centered with the center
wiper and screen support rod. This will tell you if you have to
move the entire bonnet to one side OR adjust the wings in and out
on each side.
The wings can be adjusted by loosening two of the four bolts on the
rear bracket connecting them to the center section AND/OR adjust
the peg and fitting on the bulkhead.
The whole bonnet can be moved very easily by first measuring
exactly how far you want to move it. Then support the nose of the
bonnet and loosen the eight bolts only on the side you want to move

–
:John DeLay
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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4

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:

John - this sounds do-able! I shall have a try tomorrow.
Thanks very much for the detailed procedure.–
Julian, '69 E-Type 2+2
Pasadena, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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5

In reply to a message from jjbunn sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:

Julian, It would appear that you are bout to embark upon an
excursion into the delicacies of bonnet alignment. Suggest
you read the following, before you get too far with this!
http://www.xke-lovers.com/bonnet.htm--
The original message included these comments:

It looks like it’s just a question of making some small
adjustment at the bonnet hinge, but I’m not sure where or
how. Any advice would be welcome!
Julian, '69 E-Type 2+2

–
John M Holmes 1973 E Type SIII Supra 5Sp, 70 SII OTS 05XJ8L
Ontario, Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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6

In reply to a message from John M Holmes sent Sun 23 Jan 2011:

Thanks, John … I’d seen that a while back, and I must say
it is not the clearest DIY I’ve read - he talks a lot about
using shims, adding or subtracting them, but not about where
the shims go! So, for a noob like me, it’s baffling. Also
it’s alarming when he starts talking about cutting and
welding !!!

I started with the easiest option - loosen some of the bolts
at the rear of the bonnet so that I could move the wings in
and out a tad on each side, but couldn’t get enough
adjustment. Now I will try the hinge bolts as suggested.

This involved turning the car around in my garage - I fired
it up and it started immediately, which made me happy as it
has been sitting for over a month while I’ve been fitting
reverse lights, re-wiring, refurbishing dash/console,
fitting new radio speakers, new battery cables, etc…

Now it’s in a position where I can get to the bonnet hinge
bolts, so will report back after I’ve tried their adjustment.–
The original message included these comments:

In reply to a message from jjbunn sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:
Julian, It would appear that you are bout to embark upon an
excursion into the delicacies of bonnet alignment. Suggest
you read the following, before you get too far with this!
http://www.xke-lovers.com/bonnet.htm

–
Julian, '69 E-Type 2+2
Pasadena, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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7

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:

Julian,
Keep your eyes open and make sure the other four hinge bolts are
loosened just enough to allow the bonnet to move over. My
instructions were a little fuzzy in this critical area. I’m sure
you would figure this small point out, but…just trying to help.
John DeLay 1E12025–
The original message included these comments:

Julian,
First verify that the bonnet bulge vent is centered with the center
wiper and screen support rod. This will tell you if you have to
move the entire bonnet to one side OR adjust the wings in and out
on each side.
The wings can be adjusted by loosening two of the four bolts on the
rear bracket connecting them to the center section AND/OR adjust
the peg and fitting on the bulkhead.
The whole bonnet can be moved very easily by first measuring
exactly how far you want to move it. Then support the nose of the
bonnet and loosen the eight bolts only on the side you want to move

–
:John DeLay
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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8

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Mon 24 Jan 2011:

Hi again John,

So that I am clear about which bolts we are talking about,
in the photo below:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5386686296_c271e75217_b.jpg

the yellow arrow is pointing to the hinge bracket that has
four bolts: two on the horizontal surface, and two on the
vertical surface. Then the hinge bolt itself is secured by
the hinge bracket.

There is another similar bracket on the other side of the car.

So, say I want to move the bonnet from the left slightly to
the right: should I start by loosening those four bolts on
the hinge on the left of the car, as pointed to by the arrow
in the photo?

Or am I completely up a gum tree?!

Thanks!–
The original message included these comments:

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:
Julian,
Keep your eyes open and make sure the other four hinge bolts are
loosened just enough to allow the bonnet to move over. My
instructions were a little fuzzy in this critical area. I’m sure
you would figure this small point out, but…just trying to help.
John DeLay 1E12025

–
Julian, '69 E-Type 2+2
Pasadena, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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9

In reply to a message from jjbunn sent Mon 24 Jan 2011:

Hi Julian,
Yes, the 4 bolts are the hinge bolts. The single bolt I called the
pivot bolt.
To move the bonnet from left to right, you will want to loosen and
tap the right hinge outward the desired distance you want to move
the bonnet, and retighten those 4 bolts in place. Then, loosen the
left 4 hinge bolts to allow it to move. Now when you tighten the
right pivot bolt it will pull the entire bonnet to the right your
desired distance. Then tighten the left hinge bolts and check the
fit.
Inside the nose, behind the hinge bolts are captive steel plates
that will need to move with the hinge. Dirt and corrosion may make
them a bit sticky. You might reach a can of lubricant in through
the nose and spray that hinge area down a bit to help this all out.
Keep us posted!!
John DeLay 1E12025–
The original message included these comments:

Hi again John,
So that I am clear about which bolts we are talking about,
in the photo below:
the yellow arrow is pointing to the hinge bracket that has
four bolts: two on the horizontal surface, and two on the
vertical surface. Then the hinge bolt itself is secured by
the hinge bracket.
There is another similar bracket on the other side of the car.
So, say I want to move the bonnet from the left slightly to
the right: should I start by loosening those four bolts on
the hinge on the left of the car, as pointed to by the arrow

–
:John DeLay
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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10

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Mon 24 Jan 2011:

Julian,
Correction: YOU WERE CORRECT! Start by tapping the LEFT hinge out
FIRST, in order to move the bonnet to the right. It was late,
sorry for the confusion. My earlier sequence is correct EXCEPT
left means right and right means left. 8-))
John DeLay 1E12025–
The original message included these comments:

Yes, the 4 bolts are the hinge bolts. The single bolt I called the
To move the bonnet from left to right, you will want to loosen and
tap the right hinge outward the desired distance you want to move
the bonnet, and retighten those 4 bolts in place. Then, loosen the
left 4 hinge bolts to allow it to move. Now when you tighten the
right pivot bolt it will pull the entire bonnet to the right your
desired distance. Then tighten the left hinge bolts and check the
fit.
Inside the nose, behind the hinge bolts are captive steel plates
that will need to move with the hinge. Dirt and corrosion may make
them a bit sticky. You might reach a can of lubricant in through

–
:John DeLay
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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11

In reply to a message from :John DeLay sent Tue 25 Jan 2011:

OK! I got it nice and even now … it didn’t require much
fettling. I used a combination of slight adjustment at the
hinge as you described, and also adjustment of the wing
piece using the plate at the rear of the bonnet (loosen,
press in the wing, and tighten while pressing). Now all I
need to do is get the catch pins nicely aligned.–
Julian, '69 E-Type 2+2
Pasadena, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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12

Tried this method of adjustment on the bonnet yesterday…worked
like a charm. Been scared off for years attempting to move the bonnet
in ANY direction due to the various discussions on the perils of doing
so. So, finally fixed a problem I’ve been living with for 15 years!!

If we were in the pub I’d buy you a beer John…cheers mate!!On Sat, Jan 22, 2011 at 7:47 PM, :John DeLay vennajohn1@mycomspan.com wrote:

In reply to a message from jjbunn sent Sat 22 Jan 2011:

Julian,
First verify that the bonnet bulge vent is centered with the center
wiper and screen support rod. This will tell you if you have to
move the entire bonnet to one side OR adjust the wings in and out
on each side.
The wings can be adjusted by loosening two of the four bolts on the
rear bracket connecting them to the center section AND/OR adjust
the peg and fitting on the bulkhead.
The whole bonnet can be moved very easily by first measuring
exactly how far you want to move it. Then support the nose of the
bonnet and loosen the eight bolts only on the side you want to move
the bonnet FROM. Loosen the main pivot bolt the same distance you
want to move the bonnet. Tap the hinge over to the bolt tightly
and retighten the eight hinge bolts then pivot bolt.
Now on the side you want to move the bonnet over TO, simply loosen
the eight hinge bolts and fully tighten the other pivot bolt to
pull the entire bonnet over. Repeat if fine tuning is needed.
Before you loosen the eight hinge bolts, you may need to seak them
with our favorite PB or other lubricant.
Let us know what you find out!
John DeLay 1E12025

The original message included these comments:

My bonnet is slightly misaligned … at the left side where
the peg is supposed to engage in the fitting on the
bulkhead, the peg is about 1/2’’ away from the hole, and the
right side’s it is about 1/2’’ the other way. Photos below:
left hand side:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5378670001_f25fea4796_z.jpg
right hand side:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5379270398_3755eba609_z.jpg
It looks like it’s just a question of making some small
adjustment at the bonnet hinge, but I’m not sure where or
how. Any advice would be welcome!

–
:John DeLay
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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–
Les…'68 S1.5 2+2

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13

In reply to a message from Les Halls sent Wed 2 Mar 2011:

Les,
Thank you very much!!! I eventually straightened out my typos like
4 rather than 8 bolts and left vs. right. Glad you figured it out.
If I were in the pub I’d be glad to tip one with you. In fact I
might just go get one out of the fridge right now. Thanks. John–
The original message included these comments:

Tried this method of adjustment on the bonnet yesterday…worked
like a charm. Been scared off for years attempting to move the bonnet
in ANY direction due to the various discussions on the perils of doing
so. So, finally fixed a problem I’ve been living with for 15 years!!
If we were in the pub I’d buy you a beer John…cheers mate!!

Julian,
First verify that the bonnet bulge vent is centered with the center
wiper and screen support rod. �This will tell you if you have to
move the entire bonnet to one side OR adjust the wings in and out
on each side.
The wings can be adjusted by loosening two of the four bolts on the

–
John DeLay 66 OTS 1E12025, Custom (70 Cuda-Coronet) D-250
Myrtle Point, Oregon, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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