Jon Stewart Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I have large cut outs in my bonnet for the air filter and exhaust and because of the resulting loss of strength it sags in the middle. i was thinking of bonding some reinforcing strips to it to regain some rigidity and wondered if anyone has tried this or had any other suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2016 Member Share Posted March 24, 2016 Interesting problem. Got any photos?How about adding frames around the apertures?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Stewart Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloucestershire AR Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Is the bonnet a very tight fit front to back as well? And are the rear clips difficult to get on?If so, if it's possible to move the scuttle back a couple of mm that might sort your drooping.If not, maybe some ali angle iron type material araldited to the bonnet and running front to back might help.Good luck!Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Stewart Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark w Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 It needs a Chanel section bonding along the length in the middle so as to transfer support from the supported part to the sagging part . Unless the support section has " depth " at a right angle to the skin I doubt it will work . Thin strips bonded on will just add weight to the bonnet and add to the sagging . just my thoughts ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 B&Q sell some ally extrusions - mini angle or box section bonded on might do it.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 24, 2016 Member Share Posted March 24, 2016 Aluminium angle strip or carbon fibre angle strip sound good. What Mark says about depth.But run them longitudinally or transversely? And how can they be fitted to the curvature... that would be easier if they were longitudinal.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 As has been suggested, a rigid aluminium channel along the middle would be the route I would go. Also, using double sided tape like number plate mount would be easier than glue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_K Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 How about a lightweight double-skinning job? A layer of balsa wood (5ish mm) bonded to the ally covered with a couple of plies of carbon fibre should give more stiffness in all directions. There are plenty of videos on Youtube about how to lay up the CFC using the bonnet as the pattern.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Fox Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Laminate in some plastic tubing. Tape on some quarter inch bore (or similar) plastic pipe in whatever structure you choose. Encase it in glass fibre and resin. The strength will come from the glass fibre shaped over the tube.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 25, 2016 Member Share Posted March 25, 2016 Will the resin bond to bare aluminium or do you need another adhesive?That technique could work nicely round the apertures.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 A channel would be the simplest option if there is enough clearance with the engine. The sagging is because the lower part under the exhaust manifold is missing. An option would be to put a 5 mm pin before and after the exhaust header in the chassis rail, then drill 2 holes in the bonnet so that they slide over these pins, this prevents the bonnet from sliding forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Stewart Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks all. I bought some aluminium channel from B&Q at the weekend and fixed this using double sided tape.I've installed one channel so far and this has made a big improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 29, 2016 Member Share Posted March 29, 2016 Sounds good. Photos of the inside, please.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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