How to remove bonnet stay?

[Paul Coleman]

I removed the bonnet (front that is) last night and I undid the two bolts which hold the stay onto the front wheel arch. However, when I try to remove the two screws which hold the stay onto the bonnet they just keep revolving without coming out. There seems to be no way of getting to the back of them - so what's the trcik to getting them out? Is there a clip inside which holds them in and if so, once I've taken them out will I not be able to get them back in again?

Thanks, Paul.

[Splashout]

I believe they are a rivnut or something similar. Described as a M5 jack nut in the parts list (for the turbo anyway).

I would guess that its no longer anchored to the bonnet! you may have to cut the bolt and then replace with a new rivnut

Edited February 21, 2007 by Splashout

[Goose]

I removed the bonnet (front that is) last night and I undid the two bolts which hold the stay onto the front wheel arch. However, when I try to remove the two screws which hold the stay onto the bonnet they just keep revolving without coming out. There seems to be no way of getting to the back of them - so what's the trcik to getting them out? Is there a clip inside which holds them in and if so, once I've taken them out will I not be able to get them back in again?

Thanks, Paul.

Looking at the manual there doesn't appear to be any plate etc. behind the screws. The manual just says unscrew them... nothing else. I assume you have pulled them out as you unscrew them if that makes sense? Sorry not explaining myself very clearly today! If you are worried about getting them back in, I have used some araldite in the past to fill a small screw hole and started again - works well for me.

Good luck.

Edited February 21, 2007 by Goose

[Paul Coleman]

Looking at the manual there doesn't appear to be any plate etc. behind the screws. The manual just says unscrew them... nothing else. I assume you have pulled them out as you unscrew them if that makes sense? Sorry not explaining myself very clearly today! If you are worried about getting them back in, I have used some araldite in the past to fill a small screw hole and started again - works well for me.

Good luck.

Well I sort of got them out - I had to grind the tops of the screws off. there seems to be a couple of round threaded inserts built into the bonnet and my screws had rusted to them so when I unscrewed them the whole thing just turned. Looks like I'll be cutting them out of the bonnet and then repairing the mess :crybaby:

[ian heighway]

Paul,

I think u need to get yourself a big can of WD40 and start spraying all the nuts and bolts on the car

[molemot]

WD40 won't help much...these rivnuts are an aberration. The cheapo mild steel bolts just love the aluminium rivnuts, so much so that no man can pull them asunder..what usually happens is that they tear loose of their glass fibre anchorages and go round and round and round....as you have noticed! Some electrochemical interaction between the two metals, I think. Unless they have been assembled with anti-seize gunk by some PO,you will find that all these fastenings will be solid and immovable. Welcome to the fun of Lotus ownership!! Might as well start making up nutplates....!