Bonnet striker puzzle
 

Has anybody managed to adjust their bonnet strikers ( the two spring loaded plungers screwed to the bonnet lip)?

The design hasn't changed in 50 years and I'm sure that on previous cars I simply inserted a stout screwdriver into the slot cut into the tapered end of the striker and turned it.

I'm working on someone else's 75 and even after removal to a vice, the striker shaft would not turn even by one degree! It's obviously seized with corrosion I concluded. Penetrating fluid and considerable torque failed to release it so since new ones are a reasonable price I ordered a pair. Now here's the puzzle.

These won't move either! :eek: :cry:

I just need to raise the RH side of the bonnet to be level with the wing (and yes, the rubber stop is already at full height).

Has anyone else encountered this?

Simon

Hi Simon,
Sorry if this is stating the obvious but you have slackened the pin lock nuts before trying to adjust via screwdriver slot?
Tony

Hi Simon.
Tony as hit the nail on the head, pull the spring down a little so you can get open end spanner on the nut and undo a little, the adjust.
https://i.imgur.com/RvLKuv4l.jpg1

Thanks Tony and Steve.

Is that nut really a locknut? The flanges on the plate make it extremely difficult if not impossible to rotate a 17mm spanner but also there's a sleeve on the reverse side of the plate:

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...cd2f1c434e.jpg

Isn't that a press-fit nut designed to be held captive in the plate?
Edit: Research shows that self-clinching nuts don't have a hexagonal shape, they're round. So I'm still puzzled. What's the sleeve and why is the nut impossible to turn on a brand new part? :shrug:

Simon

Having disassembled the striker plate assembly before, the nut is there to lock the pin in position, so it will be tight but can be slackened and removed if needed.

Hi Simon my research is as Arctic has also found the locknut is inside the spring as shown in his yet again great picture

Hi Steve,

I see that you took the photograph today. Thank you for that. I'd be grateful if you could get an open ended spanner on your striker to see if you can shift it. If you can, I'll be convinced. :wink2:

Simon

Bit of an ask
 

This design is used on many cars. The nut under the spring is a lock nut but shouldn't be too difficult to undo. If you could loosen the pin with just a screwdriver the pin would gradually move and alter the position the bonnet locks in place. If it really is too tight a space grind down an old 17mm to fit in the space. The thread in the photo looks well mullered and could be causing the tightness.

Hi Simon.
It is a locking nut only, the thread is in the plate it's self, but as they do need to be maintained i will give mine a clean and grease tomorrow and convince you :D

Slackening (then tightening) the locking nut requires you to force an open ended spanner between the spring and the bonnet plate. Maybe use a blade to lever a gap and then force the spanner in. Maybe MGR had a special tool for this, but for me it was more like a bull-at-a-gate than engineering finesse.


https://i.imgur.com/9BEAI4R.jpg

TC