AutoDS Bumper question

Just a quick one. I bought an AutoDS bumper some time ago, and have finally had a chance to try and fit it. It is very well constructed and finished, but I’ve found the bonnet does not seem to want to close now it’s on.

I know this is gonna sound thick, but am I right in thinking the bonnet striker is going to need to be adjusted due to a slight difference in thickness between the AutoDS one and the factory one?

Any tips anyone can provide will be greatfully accepted

Left and right front there are two adjustable rubber stops. That might help.

Many thanks bud, I saw them briefly, but didn’t get time to play too much last night, as I’d lost the light. Back at work tomorrow for another long run of long shifts, so going to bang away at it today.

Hopefully, that will be what I need to sort out.

Thanks again for your help

Well, I did a bit of adjustment yesterday, and it’s nearly there. I did see after a bit of searching around, that you can adjust the bonnet striker. I might give it a half turn to see if it makes it close a bit better. In its current state, it still needs to be forced down a bit more than usual, and I’m worried it could be exerting more strain on the bonnet release cable.

I had a look at the rubbers on the end of the bonnet, and could not see how mine were able to be adjusted, so I haven’t messed with them. Thanks for the advice though magooagain

The rubbers are on threaded bolts; they 'just' wind and unwind. But if they haven't moved for years, their usual mode of operation is to removed themselves from the bolts...

Blimey, do you know what,...I feel so stupid. I know what you fellas are talking about now. I was looking at the two rubbers at the front end of the bonnet that end up by the side of the side lights. Doh!!!, how stupid do I feel now!

Also it possible to adjust the bonnet hinges. You may have the hing pivoting,so that the bonnet squeezes down to early before it makes the correct contact with the catch striker.

Thanks again mate. My poxy job gets in the way at times, so I’m gonna have to have a play in a few days time by the looks of it. Now I know the rubbers you and Barnacle were on about adjusting, I’ll try them first, then see if the bonnet is sitting too high or too low. I think the new bumper seemed to be slightly higher up on the crash protection, so that would make sense. Thanks again

Well, now I’ve got a day off and finally got time to have a better look at my bonnet, I am about to go out and have a play. I have taken off the two side adjustable height rubber stoppers, de rusted them and freed up the threads. They will be put back on, and incidentally did not resolve my non closing issue.

I believe the Auto DS bonnet may be sitting slightly lower than the original, so I reckon the centre striker needs to be adjusted.

I found a video which shows a fella with a pair of similar catches on a BMW so hopefully this will be my fix.

Anyone else having this issue, I have placed a link to his video below.

https://youtu.be/HxLjYSbzxXA

Well, after having to go and buy a humungus 34mm spanner from Halfords,... I’ve finally managed to adjust the bonnet striker and all is well my initial suspicions were correct, and it was the striker that needed adjusting.

If anyone needs to do this in the future, it’s quite simple. You just have to loosen the 34mm lock nut with a massive spanner, then turn the bonnet striker (obviously clockwise to shorten its length or anti-clockwise to lengthen it). Just remember to nip up the 34mm lock but after you’re happy with its operation.