240 Bonnet Slope Syndrome, how can I fix?

zagatoman · Nov 17th, 2011, 20:33

What can I do to my 240 bonnet hinges to make them work as intended?

I have the same problem as many other 240 owners, Bonnet Slope Syndrome. I have fully adjusted.

I cant find any replacements, I have asked on the forum and nobody can help so am now going to try and fix what I have.

What do I do, or am I wasting my time?

Are they available new?

Are the hinges the same as the 240 from any other models?

Paul

VOLVO GHILLIE · Nov 17th, 2011, 20:51

I assume the hinge mechanism has twisted/buckled, yes? Did it on my old 240se estate. Spent hours trying to straighten it. Put it back on and it buckled again!
Get yourself a S/H set of hinges. Got mine via parts gateway. Beware of silly prices though. Got quoted as high as £50 each, but eventually bought for £25 for the pair. Not same colour, but bought spray paint and can't tell from original now.

VOLVO GHILLIE · Nov 17th, 2011, 20:55

Just seen a drivers side hinge on ebay, with 3days to go. At £12 with 1 bid. P&P is £8. Worth keeping a watch on it?

Clifford Pope · Nov 18th, 2011, 08:47

Age old insoluble problem. You can't tell from looking at a hinge on the bench whether it is a good one or not. The bits can be distorted by half a millimetre but that equates to half an inch when magnified at the bonnet corner.

Also the brackets are barely strong enough to take the strength of the springs, so even a good one can suddenly buckle, as I have found.

I've been tempted to try removing the springs, straightening the mechanism, and then just fitting a hinged prop to hold the bonnet up. Would that work?

minesa240x3 · Nov 18th, 2011, 22:38

Hi clifford I think it would work but the bonnet is made of real steel unlike the modern cars.So it would be quite heavy.And of coarse volvo's were using sprung loaded bonnets long before most,and some cheaper cars still use the prop.
I was lucky the first time I fixed one as I just straightened it and put a little weld where it had started to cracl and all was fine.Well I had to oil it well and free it off in a vice first.

I was so confident afterwards that I was going to do a how to on my K reg which sticks up on the nearside hinge,But I just couldn't get an effect on it.It looks straight and no cracks so just what's stretched or buckled is a mystery.I have had one good and one bad next to each other on the bench but no amount of measuring shows up the cause.
Like you say a millimetre is enough to cause big changes further up the mechanism.

One day someone will find the answer.
Regards Brian.

keith240 · Nov 19th, 2011, 08:31

Paul, they are available new. The ones on my old 240 were done by my specialist last year and the parts were readily available. Bonnet was perfect after that.

Keith

zagatoman · Nov 19th, 2011, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith240

Paul, they are available new. The ones on my old 240 were done by my specialist last year and the parts were readily available. Bonnet was perfect after that.

Keith

Hi Keith

Can I get them from my main dealer or are they sold by an independent?

Could you please supply contact number or email.

Thanks, Paul

keith240 · Nov 19th, 2011, 16:20

Hi Paul give John Simmons a ring at the Volvo workshop on 01268 561615 he did mine so at least he can get them for you or fit them if you wish

All the best
Keith

Rich 264 · Nov 19th, 2011, 16:50

And regularly lube all those pivot points!

Theres lots of them and if they get stiff they're bound to buckle when you're levering against them with 4ft (or whatever) of volvo bonnet!

Rustee · Nov 19th, 2011, 17:09

I've got Keith's old 240 and can confirm the bonnet fits beautifully after new hinges were fitted. Martin

Nov 17th, 2011, 20:33	#1
zagatoman Junior Member Last Online: Sep 23rd, 2012 12:58 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sutton	240 Bonnet Slope Syndrome, how can I fix? What can I do to my 240 bonnet hinges to make them work as intended? I have the same problem as many other 240 owners, Bonnet Slope Syndrome. I have fully adjusted. I cant find any replacements, I have asked on the forum and nobody can help so am now going to try and fix what I have. What do I do, or am I wasting my time? Are they available new? Are the hinges the same as the 240 from any other models? Paul Last edited by zagatoman; Nov 17th, 2011 at 21:41.

Nov 19th, 2011, 08:31	#6
keith240 keith240 Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 20:09 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Battlesbridge	Paul, they are available new. The ones on my old 240 were done by my specialist last year and the parts were readily available. Bonnet was perfect after that. Keith Last edited by keith240; Nov 19th, 2011 at 08:36.

Nov 19th, 2011, 17:09	#10
Rustee Rustee Last Online: Jun 1st, 2015 20:49 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ipswich	I've got Keith's old 240 and can confirm the bonnet fits beautifully after new hinges were fitted. Martin __________________ 1988 Volvo 240 GLT Estate

Nov 17th, 2011, 20:51	#2
VOLVO GHILLIE Senior Member Last Online: Sep 1st, 2018 13:04 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: by Lairg Sutherland	I assume the hinge mechanism has twisted/buckled, yes? Did it on my old 240se estate. Spent hours trying to straighten it. Put it back on and it buckled again! Get yourself a S/H set of hinges. Got mine via parts gateway. Beware of silly prices though. Got quoted as high as £50 each, but eventually bought for £25 for the pair. Not same colour, but bought spray paint and can't tell from original now.

Nov 17th, 2011, 20:55	#3
VOLVO GHILLIE Senior Member Last Online: Sep 1st, 2018 13:04 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: by Lairg Sutherland	Just seen a drivers side hinge on ebay, with 3days to go. At £12 with 1 bid. P&P is £8. Worth keeping a watch on it?

Nov 18th, 2011, 08:47	#4
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Yesterday 15:25 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	Age old insoluble problem. You can't tell from looking at a hinge on the bench whether it is a good one or not. The bits can be distorted by half a millimetre but that equates to half an inch when magnified at the bonnet corner. Also the brackets are barely strong enough to take the strength of the springs, so even a good one can suddenly buckle, as I have found. I've been tempted to try removing the springs, straightening the mechanism, and then just fitting a hinged prop to hold the bonnet up. Would that work?

Nov 18th, 2011, 22:38	#5
minesa240x3 loyalty Last Online: Jul 28th, 2022 19:16 Join Date: May 2006 Location: faraway View Photos By: minesa240x3	Hi clifford I think it would work but the bonnet is made of real steel unlike the modern cars.So it would be quite heavy.And of coarse volvo's were using sprung loaded bonnets long before most,and some cheaper cars still use the prop. I was lucky the first time I fixed one as I just straightened it and put a little weld where it had started to cracl and all was fine.Well I had to oil it well and free it off in a vice first. I was so confident afterwards that I was going to do a how to on my K reg which sticks up on the nearside hinge,But I just couldn't get an effect on it.It looks straight and no cracks so just what's stretched or buckled is a mystery.I have had one good and one bad next to each other on the bench but no amount of measuring shows up the cause. Like you say a millimetre is enough to cause big changes further up the mechanism. One day someone will find the answer. Regards Brian.

Nov 19th, 2011, 16:20	#8
keith240 keith240 Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 20:09 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Battlesbridge	Hi Paul give John Simmons a ring at the Volvo workshop on 01268 561615 he did mine so at least he can get them for you or fit them if you wish All the best Keith

Nov 19th, 2011, 16:50	#9
Rich 264 Pinball Wizard Last Online: Feb 6th, 2013 00:53 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: cheshire	And regularly lube all those pivot points! Theres lots of them and if they get stiff they're bound to buckle when you're levering against them with 4ft (or whatever) of volvo bonnet!

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