Front access panel hinge

[DavieK]

The hinge for the front access panel on our S1 has come loose and is away from where its fixed to the car, from what ive managed to search for this looks like an easy enough fix by drilling out the rivits and replacing them with 4mm cap head screws.

Is it really this easy or is there more to it?


Davie

[tut]

Nope, tis that straightforward.

Happened to both of mine. Option of drilling and bolting or re-riveting if you have a gun.

tut

[DavieK]

Thanks Tut.

Just had a look at it and see that the radiator fins around where the hinge is are all flattened so better get this done soon before i end up dropping coolant all over the road.


Davie

[tut]

Ah, that is another problem. Again happened on both of mine and punctured the radiator. It happens because the hinge flattens with age and there is very little clearance anyway, so the hinge curve meets the radiator.

Two cures. Bend the hinge to give more angle, or easier, put more washers under the three bolts, or a thicker gasket that you can buy from Murrays, to raise it back up to the original level.

tut

[DavieK]

Well got this done this morning. Easy job apart from trying to bolt the hinge to the panel once the hinge was in place ...... just a little tricky holding it all lined up.

another tick on the to do list

[philthy]

Reminds me I need to do mine too.