hood lid enquiries

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:56 am

hi all,

just wondering if anyone can confirm the hood lid on a manually operated convertible is able to stay up by itself via the hydraulic structs, similar to how the boot lid works.

this is because a bm specialist assured me that if i have my structs replaced (around 60quid) then the hood lid will remain open whiles i tuck the hood into its compartment, instead of me having to struggle with it using my elbow to keep it from closing. but a second opion suggests that the structs are not strong enough due to the weight of the hood lid itself, as they are much smaller than the structs fitted in the boot.

if indeed the latter opinion prevails then i will pop down to my local diy and find myself a stick of rod to keep the lid open, unless anyone can suggest a better alternative?

cheers,kc.

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 10:59 am

Yep they should indeed do the job...

The way forward is to go down to your local scrappy, rob a couple of struts out of any (I think! Could only be 2-door?) E30 seats & use them instead. They'll be slightly thicker, but they will fit & they'll cost you peanuts. Job done!

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:20 am

My brothers doesn't stay open, but TBH is't not that difficult to stow the hood once you have got the knack. It means you can drop it to a shut as well.

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:24 am

Widge wrote:My brothers doesn't stay open, but TBH is't not that difficult to stow the hood once you have got the knack. It means you can drop it to a shut as well.

It's soooo easy & cheap to fix though! It only holds it in the fully upright position - give it a li'l push & it'll fall into place just the same as before...

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:26 am

Yeah...........but it's not my car!

There's plenty to be getting on with fixing mine!

I'll start on his sometime in 2007.

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:37 am

Widge wrote: I'll start on his sometime in 2007.

You're planning on finishing yours next year?! Blimey, that's a distant dream for me! :lol:

& yep, my brother's car gets the same treatment (I ignore it).

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 5:35 pm

the specialist is correct, the 2nd opinion is wrong

Mine didn't stay up (

) so I bought 2 new ones from BMW and now it's as pert as a pert thing

getting one from a scrappy might be wasting your time cos the struts only have a certain 'life'

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 7:00 pm

widge did you know there is a cat on your head in your pic.....

Post Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:45 pm

It's rabbit fur.
It's my thinking hat, keeps the grey matter at operating temprature.

Post Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:24 am

are the struts on the lid the same size as the one on the bonnet because i'm sure gsf do them n it will be cheaper than the stealer, just a thought because mine needs sortin

Post Sat Dec 17, 2005 1:45 pm

essexboy wrote:are the struts on the lid the same size as the one on the bonnet because i'm sure gsf do them n it will be cheaper than the stealer, just a thought because mine needs sortin

Nope