MGA MGA Bonnet [Hood] adjustment.

[SteveB]

Hi everyone.
I am a new member with a problem. I recently acquired an MGA here in Sydney. I have been trying to work out how to adjust the position of the bonnet/hood. At present it is very tight at the front and has caused some damage to the surrounding body work. There doesn't seem to be any adjustment mechanism in the hinge. Does any body have any advice.
Steve

 

[Banjo]

I believe that the holes in the hinge where it bolts to the bonnett are slotted. I believe there are 4 total (2 per hinge). If so then loosen one on each side a good ways, then loosen the other one just enough to allow you to "bump" the bonnet around with light hand force. that way you can gently close the bonnett, check the fit,adjust if neded and re-open it and snug the bolts.
Best to luck.

 

[SteveB]

That's what I would have thought. However the holes in the hinges (three each side) aren't slotted and there can be no adjustment to the lid itself as there are three captive nuts located in the frame that cannot move. Thanks for your help, Steve.

 

[R6MGS]

If I remember I'll look at it in the morning and see if I can figure it out.....

 

[Daimlerdb18]

The bonnet on my 1956 MGA is held on by three bolts on each hinge. There's enough room in each of the holes on the hinge to make adjustment in the position of the bonnet. If the bonnet is pushed as far to the rear of the car as possible and there's still interference with the surround in front, it may indicate distortion in the front part of the tub; either from bondo on a repair or perhaps collision damage. The former was the case on my car and was resolved by removing the filler and reworking that part of the body tub.

 

[Banjo]

I remember the 3 bolts now. It's been a couple of years since I last got to play with an A.
If there is no more adjustment to the holes, my next thought after making sure everything else is fine, would be to use a dremel to oblong the holes to get some more adjustment.
Are the hinges ok? I've seen them get distorted from opening and closing while the pin is getting tight. they should not have any resistance to them. I also saw one that rotted out in the bottom of the "curve" of the hinge arm due to a mouse nest that was there for a long time and held moisture.

 

[Steve_S]

It may also be a replacement bonnet from another car. Many times panels were hand fit and re-formed for proper gaps on each car.

 

[SteveB]

Thanks Guys. I think I'll need to elongate the holes. The hinges do seem to be in pretty good condition. The lid should fit nicely as it is tight at the front with some room at the back. I'll let you know how it goes. Once again thanks for the advice.
Steve