REVIEW : Bonnet-strut kit (All mk2 clios)

[AhmedRSi]

As some of you may have been following matt_trev has been developing and trial fitting bonnet struts. I recieved a trial kit for review from him and have fitted it. Im told that my kit was exactly the same as those for sale exept mine has a 2nd hand hydraulic strut whereas the kit he is selling has all brand new parts.

It really is an excellent piece of kit, a nice cheap and easy modification that makes working on your car 100x easier and also improves the looks!

Ill let the pics speak for themselves...

Its an EXCELLENT piece of kit, really impressed with the quality of all parts. It only took me (a novice) 30-40 mins to fit, all that was involved was drilling a few holes!

Fits perfectly to a mk2ph1 with NO drilling/modifying of the wing plastic required whatsoever. Apparently the same is true for a ph2. The strut isnt strong enough to open the bonnet by itself you have to lift the bonnet open but once open it hold it firmly and safely!

A note to anyone who is fitting the kit... please take extreme care when drilling hole in the underside of the bonnet... as too much force and ull find youve put a little ding in the top of the bonnet

If anyones interested in buying a kit, see this thread. Any questions? just ask

 

[Christopher]

Nice mod

 

[makavelli]

reminds me of my old pugs, loved the bonnet struts on them, made tinkering under the bonnet so much easier

 

[Whiteley]

Dont really see the need for it to be so long, but looks alright.

 

[AhmedRSi]

Dont really see the need for it to be so long, but looks alright.

Any shorter and it wouldnt hold the bonnet up

The only place you can mount the holders for the strut is by the headlights really, as its the actual chassis.

 

[Hazza]

Get a video up

 

[Marky_]

Looks a bit awkward, but a good mod.

 

[AhmedRSi]

why? it doesnt open itself like some kind of spaceship lol...

 

[Hazza]

Well to see how the hydraulic lift works.... how smooth it is etc

 

[Beef-Mc]

S'no bad.

 

[Ali]

It's just not....i dunno, a tein bonnet damper...Doesnt look right.

 

[AhmedRSi]

Well to see how the hydraulic lift works.... how smooth it is etc

Ill try and get a vid for you tomorrow because its getting dark atm. But its quite simply really, you yank open the bonnet and it stays open, then you close it 3/4 of the way and drop it to shut it as normal

 

[YorkshireDaz]

I used to have some chrome ones on my old Corsa but i think that they had been designed for that..

:S

 

[Justin]

Looks like a ripspeed special IMO

 

[AhmedRSi]

Looks like a ripspeed special IMO

Ripspeed do stuff of that quality? :lolup: Would love to see something like this in halfruads!!!
Its for function primarily not for looks!!! But it looks 100x better too!
Makes under bonnet work so much easier also allows the bonnet to stay open at a higher angle than the normal stand.

 

[GarethM]

i dont like it tbh

needs to be shorter, and at a tighter angle

 

[AhmedRSi]

Yeh agreed garf, but cant really see how that would be possible on a clio. Theres no where else you could really place the strut mounts.. thats the strongest/safest place.

 

[Tigger]

Looks good, how does the bonnet stay open though?
Also - how sturdy is the strut? as the hinges on the Clio bonnet's are crap in strong winds

 

[AhmedRSi]

Looks good, how does the bonnet stay open though?
Also - how sturdy is the strut? as the hinges on the Clio bonnet's are crap in strong winds

Extremily sturdy. The bonnet stays open because the strut has enough force to stay extended but not open itself it that makes sense? A stronger strut could be used to make it open itself i suppose but then why would you risk putting excess force on the strut supports?

I wouldnt want anything that would possibly put any excess force under my hood as we all know clio bonnets have a tendancy to open themselves anyway lol!!!

 

[Tigger]

Well that's true lol

Doe's it make access to anything any-more awkward at all since it's longer and reaches further forward than the std support?

 

[MT AUDIO]

glad to see there are some mixed reviews,comments and questions are welcome.
tigger it makes it no more difficult to access anything in the bay at all as i have been playing about since fitting it too

matt

 

[fUbAr]

looks very DIY, but a nice practical addition.

 

[PeteCup]

Surley one small one each side would do the work of just one large one on one side and take the weight of the bonnet. Our Mk4 golf has 1 strut which is tiny and that works ok.

 

[MT AUDIO]

please show me where you can attach it

 

[PeteCup]

please show me where you can attach it

I cant say without looking but IIRC the mk4 Golf uses a small linkage, or is that the mk4 Astra, i can't remember off hand.

EDIT/ its the Astra i think that uses the linkage, the strut on the Golf 4 is mounted on the suspention turret.

http://ctny.audiworld.com/mark/golf/pics/pics05/dsc02298.jpg

 

[fUbAr]

aye, I was thinking the suspension turret would be better.