Weak bonnet spring

[William2]

The new bonnet spring I fitted to my car barely lifts the bonnet at all. Has anyone tried fitting 2 springs or is there another solution?

[USA64]

Is "barely at all" enough to get your fingers under it? I think that's all it's supposed to do.

[RichardHawkins]

William,

I had the same problem, I bought my spring from Sue Miller, I didn't think I had scrapped the old spring, but can't find it. I spoke to all my local Elan owning friends, who looked at me blankly, as they have no problem. I removed the spring, and hung weights from the bonnet until I got enough force to open the bonnet. I took this information to The Skegness Spring Company (I am only about an hour away) and they made a spring for me. Of course I didn't keep a record of what I asked for, but Skegness springs might have. I paid ?59 for this special spring, of course there is no guarantee that you need the same force as I did. I can phone and enquire if you are interested.

Richard Hawkins

[MarkDa]

I'd second not needing to get bonnet fully open.
Most real engine bay jobs warrant taking the bonnet off and a tight spring woul be a pain to get on and off the hook.
If you do get a bespoke spring think about how you'll install it without removing the steering rack.

[elanner]

Try a light coat of grease on the skid plates. And perhaps a bit on the sides of the runners.

Nick

[69S4]

When I pull the bonnet release knob it pops up about two inches - enough to get my fingers underneath to lift it further. Having lifted it, the spring then holds it stable about two feet up. I suspect that anything much stronger would be a. impossible to unclip by hand if I wanted to remove the bonnet. b. likely to damage the spring mounting bracket moulded into the underneath front of the bonnet, and c. possibly overwhelm the bent metal clips holding it shut. If the new spring is anywhere near the original spec that's about as strong as I'd want to go.

[William2]

Thanks for your help. I will try a bit of grease on the skid plates first.

[Elan45]

And too much spring force will deform the front of the bonnet when cars are parked in the hot sun. I've added a key ring (about an inch in diameter) to my bonnet spring to reduce the spring force. Also, when I leave the Elan in Florida over the summer while I am gone, I release the bonnet catches to reduce the spring force even more. No, I don't leave my Elan to sit out in the hot Florida sun, but in it's dark garage over the hot summer.

Roger

[SENC]

I've added a key ring (about an inch in diameter) to my bonnet spring to reduce the spring force.
Roger

I did the same, leaving just enough tension for a snug fit when down and to lift it just enough to catch with a finger when the latch is released.

[Grizzly]

I have this one fitted and it is perfect, lifts the back edge up 2" and no front edge distortion when shut..... https://paulmattysportscars.co.uk/produ ... ing-s3-s4/

[pharriso]

I have this one fitted and it is perfect, lifts the back edge up 2" and no front edge distortion when shut..... https://paulmattysportscars.co.uk/produ ... ing-s3-s4/

I have the same on my car...