Dzus bonnet fastener anchor bracket

[Richardtr3a]

Today I have fitted a new bracket ,  in the engine bay, to the LHS on my 1958 TR3A . It is in the same position as the original bracket, which must have been worn. The Dzus is quite firm but needs a serious turn to complete the locking. The old bracket was fitted on washers to lift it off the inner wing and the new bracket has the same washers

Are there any minor adjustments to bonnet height etc.   which could make the Dzus secure and easier to turn. I do have a new Dzus and will start fixing it when we have the next sunny  afternoon here  in Sussex.

Any advice on bracket height etc. would be very useful. The bonnet itself needs to be more central which will need some minor hinge tuning ???

Richard & B

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Add a washer or two on top of the fibre packings, below the metal bracket, that is retained by the bolts to the inner wing.   That will lift the bracket and maybe ease the tightness.   Once you know the washer thickness that makes it just right, make or buy fibre spacers of the same thickness to replace the washers you have tested it with.

 

Peter W

Edited October 14, 2023 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[Richardtr3a]

Thanks for the help. I have measured the space under the LHS bracket and it is 1/8" with the bonnet at the correct height.The other side has a space of 7/16" 

I think that it would be best to adjust the hinges first and make sure that I have an even gap along both long sides of the bonnet. Then I will drive it a bit to help it settle down and make up some  fibre spacers. What would be the best material to use ?

Thanks Richard & B

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

2 hours ago, Richardtr3a said:

Thanks for the help. I have measured the space under the LHS bracket and it is 1/8" with the bonnet at the correct height.The other side has a space of 7/16" 

I think that it would be best to adjust the hinges first and make sure that I have an even gap along both long sides of the bonnet. Then I will drive it a bit to help it settle down and make up some  fibre spacers. What would be the best material to use ?

Thanks Richard & B

Moss sell the 553001  at £3.10; each

https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shim-fastener-bracket-553001.html?assoc=116524

You could buy a 9” square x 1/4” thick off cut of vulcanised fibre at £25.00 and make your own.  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126054487889?hash=item1d596ed751:g:-kwAAOSwZENk3MZD&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8IGauLB1H6ybMhCifwAmc7pUAPBsCG1gZ4KZRmixeyPJyf2dbRHplcSUtteMbk1gQdtCV4F%2BPgM9cnDc%2FvWB7x%2Fn3ZK67CTCcWwAB%2Bqk7ZIbzdceoWtaTMrj0O%2BevSy%2FzJkQY123KMG9es%2BHSk%2BsR5kCjn%2FVYdSzBSC7VVZLkTJ0X%2BOayJ0oNeMoab89G4Spm5Q5X%2BB6JmC%2BR4KngHxBI31Mf0pz8gSrBuVSMKfucbs1NDYD0VJU9Cw1sj%2Bo4fBe6m7OH2Ig3nbpHmIg7%2FPXeMLnqKtM20GsAyeUgQOXk5J%2BXnakaj8jh3LmJ%2BUh6JwNsw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6qVr7bmYg
 

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[Ian Vincent]

I bought a sheet of 2mm thick hard rubber and used that to make spacers.

Rgds Ian

[Richardtr3a]

Thanks for the help so far. I will be hinge adjusting tomorrow. I tried for 1/2 hour today but had no success.

Thanks Richard & B

[Richardtr3a]

At last I have managed to make the bonnet fit better. There is now an even gap at each side and it aligns with the front panel. There are other problems but nothing for the owner out in the garage. The Dzus mounting brackets need some tuning. I have covered the RHS one  with masking tape and when the Dzus is closed it it makes a hole in the tape.It shows it against front part of the bracket opening. It does fit and lock OK although a bit tight. How can I adjust the bracket so the fastener is nearer the centre of the opening without  drilling new holes in the inner wing. It is difficult to see how it is fitting when the bonnet is closed and I am trying to keep the drill away from the car. I am using masking tape and a fine felt pen

Has any member found a better way to make any adjustments ?

Thanks Richard & B

[stuart]

The mounting holes in the bracket are elongated, sometimes they just need a bit more elongation to get them to fit better.

Stuart.

[Richardtr3a]

Thanks for the reply and advice.  The brackets are made with long holes and a slot to fix the Dzus, neither of which are parallel to the wing or the front panel. The holes for the two mounting bolts are working well but if I move the bracket to a better position  the mounting holes are too far out of alignment. How can you identify the LHS and the RHS. I will try reaching in the engine bay next week after a few days in Devon visiting my son.

I am keen to fit the Dzus so that it is not tight on the fastener before being locked on with the special key. I did have a local friend who was neat with welding but he has closed his workshop and moved away. Anyway the brackets are new and it must be possible to fit them without a welder involved.

Thanks Richard & B

[stuart]

Richard the brackets arent handed and fit as seen in this picture.

Stuart.

 

[Ralph Whitaker]

On 10/27/2023 at 11:19 AM, stuart said:

Richard the brackets arent handed and fit as seen in this picture.

Stuart.

 

What an unusual colour!  Was it restored during BLs brown phase in the 70s.  I have seen Stags and Spitfires in this colour but never a TR3a.

Ralph

[stuart]

2 hours ago, Ralph Whitaker said:

What an unusual colour!  Was it restored during BLs brown phase in the 70s.  I have seen Stags and Spitfires in this colour but never a TR3a.

Ralph

Thats just a trick of the sunlight, car is actually red.

Stuart.

 

[Ralph Whitaker]

Wow, that`s amazing. Shows you can`t trust photos.

Ralph

[Richardtr3a]

Thanks for the advice on this subject. I am trying to make the oval access hole for the Dzus a bit longer and need some help with a sensible way to do it. It needs to be about 1/16 " longer so that the Dzus fastener can move forward and is easy to turn. I have a useful round file but I can not push it through the retainer with the wire strip in place. I want to cause as little damage as possible and paint it afterwards so it is not visible. It is not possible to move the brackets any more and a small modification should be straightforward.

Thanks Richard & B

[stuart]

2 hours ago, Richardtr3a said:

Thanks for the advice on this subject. I am trying to make the oval access hole for the Dzus a bit longer and need some help with a sensible way to do it. It needs to be about 1/16 " longer so that the Dzus fastener can move forward and is easy to turn. I have a useful round file but I can not push it through the retainer with the wire strip in place. I want to cause as little damage as possible and paint it afterwards so it is not visible. It is not possible to move the brackets any more and a small modification should be straightforward.

Thanks Richard & B

Dont try to elongate the hole for the dzus but elongate the mounting holes on the bracket instead it will acheive the same thing.

Stuart.

[Richardtr3a]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the suggestion I have had a quick look and  the mounting holes are too close to the edge of the bracket.  But while looking this afternoon I found a small file collection hidden on the garage table. I think I will carry on if the rain goes away.

Meanwhile my passenger door needs some skilled bodywork because the top front corner is away from the body by about 3/8" The rest fits fairly well. Do you have any time in Grampound Road to alter the bodywork?  You are a long way from here but I would be interested if you can help. We are very short of skilled specialists here in Sussex

Please let m know

 Richard & B

[Lebro]

Why not just stretch the holes in the inner wing. The bracket will cover them up anyway  so won't show.

Bob

[stuart]

25 minutes ago, Richardtr3a said:

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the suggestion I have had a quick look and  the mounting holes are too close to the edge of the bracket.  But while looking this afternoon I found a small file collection hidden on the garage table. I think I will carry on if the rain goes away.

Meanwhile my passenger door needs some skilled bodywork because the top front corner is away from the body by about 3/8" The rest fits fairly well. Do you have any time in Grampound Road to alter the bodywork?  You are a long way from here but I would be interested if you can help. We are very short of skilled specialists here in Sussex

Please let m know

 Richard & B

Sadly not Richard though that a common problem with them, when sorting issues like that in build I have made a Vcut through the frame as far as the return for the skin and then the door skin can be bent in to suit.

Stuart.

[stuart]

2 minutes ago, Lebro said:

Why not just stretch the holes in the inner wing. The bracket will cover them up anyway  so won't show.

Bob

Captives in the way?

Stuart.

[Lebro]

Ah, captive are they, hmm.  Perhaps the bonnet is too far forward, or backward on the hinges ?

Bob

[Richardtr3a]

I am trying to move the bonnet closer to the front panel by a small amount so that the gap between the two panels is smaller, and even on both sides. There is enough room for the hinges to move forward but the Dzus fasteners are stopping any further adjustment.

I will try again this afternoon.

RICHARD & B

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

4 hours ago, Richardtr3a said:

I am trying to move the bonnet closer to the front panel by a small amount so that the gap between the two panels is smaller, and even on both sides. There is enough room for the hinges to move forward but the Dzus fasteners are stopping any further adjustment.

I will try again this afternoon.

RICHARD & B

Is the problem new?   Have you replaced the Dzus bracket assy on the inner wing?  Was it ok before?      I would go at it with a file to elongate all the holes. Both the screw holes to the inner wing plus tge long slot.  That may gain you enough.

[Richardtr3a]

Yesterday I was out in the garage for a long time and managed to make the Dzus fastener on the drivers side fit very smoothly.  I took the retaining spring washer off the Dzus and then I could see the bracket. I then managed to line it up so that the Dzus would slide in easily. I made some special rubber mountings and with a clear view it was possible to fix the bracket in the best place. So now I need to replace the spring clip on the Dzus. Is there a way to repair the profile of the  retaining  washer with a small ball point hammer?

Of course this success makes for more problems. I will be on the other side soon which was OK before the new success.  I hope that I can make it as good as the RHS

Thanks 

Richard & B