Broken hood frame

[Gresley]

My delight at passing the MOT today (the Stag not me) was short lived - when I got home and was putting the hood up the bloody frame broke:X

It has snapped on the driver's side front right in the very corner, there is now a large gap above the door frame. I'm wondering if it might be weldable, has anyone else had this happen? Also, how would I remove thesoft topcovering to weld it? I have exactly zero experience of hoods so am a little nervous on this one!

Any advice gratefully recieved!

Thanks

Brian

[Guest]

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Hiya Brian, that's a hinge that allows the hood to flex, the rivet must have seized and forced the frame to break, don't weld it, it WILL break again, I would think VMad is your best bet for info on a repair. Martin.

[Greenstag]

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Hi Brian

I've just done this job because of the same problem but on the passenger side. I obtained a s/hand header rail complete with the side rail that passes above your windows. Martin's dead right, the joint between the header rail and the side rail must hinge and flex. This joint often siezes putting strain the rest of the mechanism and if it's corroded it snaps.

PM me because I've still got my old header rail and the joint on the driver's side is sound

David

[chrism]

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Hi Brian

Sorry to hear your news:Xunfortunately i'm in the same boat !!! Mine has been welded before so i'm a bit buggered!!

Just now saving up to get a new frame, or second hand one. Good luck any way!

[V Mad]

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If anyone wants me to repair a broken front hinge you can remove the front section and send it to me. I will weld on a new hinge joint and get you back on the road. Ask me for details on howto post at very cheap rates (send a PM for details).

Chris

[Robmsharp]

Hi, been following the various posts on the broken front hinge problem. My question is all to do with the rivet:
1. How is it best removed?
2. Can a replacement be bought? (Rimmers & Paddock don't seem to stock it)
3. If no replacement can be bought, does anyone have a drawing of the rivet so I can ask a machine shop to make some up for me? (I'd be happy to have a batch made and offer them to any other members for their own repairs at cost).

Rob

[jbuckl]

As you probably know, the rail breaks because the rivet siezed.

I have sucessfully repaired a few using the following method which took less than 1 hour.


1. Mask the screen bonnet & door top top screen rail with a heavy sheet (very important to avoid welding damage)

2. Remove hood header seal

3. drill out 3 off short 1/8" pop rivets of seal retainer taking time to do this carefully.

4. peel away hood fabric from header rail & tuck under masking sheet.

5. remove old rivet from broken frame.

6. Vee out & dress fractured ends ready for welding.

7. clamp one end of broken frame together and tack weld.

8. adjust other end of broken piece and tack.

9. fully weld over cracked area.

10. grind back carefully

11. re drill rivet hole to 6 mm clearance hole or 1/4" clearance hole; paint if required

12 reassemble replacing rivet with either a 6mm bolt & locknut or a 1/4" bolt and locknut (shank size not across flats)

13 refit fabric, 1/8" short rivets & seal holder & seal.

14 have a cup of tea.

[grumpy2]

Hi brian. I repaired my fist hood using basically the method outlined above. It's a bit fiddle but doable in an afternoon - just about

Gary