hoobby Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 (edited) Today I thought I'll take the manta for a run into work so quick wash and micro clothed the nearside boot spoiler nearly fell off...bugger!. Two studs rotted away the third is in a bad way...no problem just remove the other side doesn't look too bad I thought so into work we go put my bag in the boot went to shut it...bllcks Just walked away from it before something else broke can't find any info on how to remove the hinge without tearing my face off so I can get it welded up. Very pi**ed off from Braintree Edited May 29, 2021 by hoobby Face 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 That’s unfortunate. Has it been welded before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 9 minutes ago, Sutty2006 said: That’s unfortunate. Has it been welded before? sort of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 Looks like the weld didn’t penetrate the metal fully. Hard on something like that though. Probably best to get another off a scrapper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 Now I have had a good look at it there's distortion further down from the break Think your right Steve will replace if I can find one meantime I'll get this one straightened up and welded the switch is missing too I guess it broke when this event happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted May 30, 2021 Author Share Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) Ok torsion rod now removed really not looking forward to refitting it but can't get the hinge off the bracket there's what looks like a plastic bush/insert do I !ever the hinge out of that or push the whole lot out together ?. Not plastic but metal like a splayed rivet the other end takes a Allen key but spins the rivet which I can't get hold off I'm beginning to think its press fitted to the bracket?. Edited May 30, 2021 by hoobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Its a rivet of sorts. You have to grind the flared head off (the bit in your photo) then it will pull out. I replaced it with a bolt/locknut and a bush of the right size so it was all tight but free to pivot. Its the same as the bonnet hinge fixings. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted May 31, 2021 Author Share Posted May 31, 2021 1 hour ago, mantasrme said: Its a rivet of sorts. You have to grind the flared head off (the bit in your photo) then it will pull out. I replaced it with a bolt/locknut and a bush of the right size so it was all tight but free to pivot. Its the same as the bonnet hinge fixings. I thought it would be something like that any method on refitting the torsion rod Haynes fail to mention how to get it back on did have a go at it but thinking probably safer as a two man job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickfrad Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Good luck with this as I tried to re-fit one of mine I while ago and gave up in the end. Maybe easier with the hinge off and fitting the torsion bar then manipulating the hinge into position. I look forward to the solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted June 13, 2021 Author Share Posted June 13, 2021 (edited) On 31/05/2021 at 13:07, Mickfrad said: Good luck with this as I tried to re-fit one of mine I while ago and gave up in the end. Maybe easier with the hinge off and fitting the torsion bar then manipulating the hinge into position. I look forward to the solution. Well it's back on and to be honest really don't want to do that again ever. Wear thick gloves and eye protection and don't ever put your hand behind or underneath this once under tension. I fitted the bar into the hinge then rotated the bar by hand and stuck a piece of wood from the boot floor to hold this will give you the room and time to fit stilsons The hole this end goes into has a lip so hold a paint scraper over it and rotate bar till on the scraper over the hole then wiggle the scraper out. Just be very careful there is a huge amount of energy in that rod once rotated Edited June 13, 2021 by hoobby 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickfrad Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Thanks hoobby I’ll wait and see how heavy my boot lid is once the spoilers refitted. I removed mine as it was lifting the front left corner of the boot, I put this down to the exclusive spoiler having been replaced with the lighter smaller spoiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 at least the torsion rod idea always works.not like the struts on hatches which always go weak.especially if you have a spoiler or wiper ! mine has 2 struts on 1 side to help it stay up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantasrme Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 2 hours ago, cam.in.head said: at least the torsion rod idea always works.not like the struts on hatches which always go weak.especially if you have a spoiler or wiper ! mine has 2 struts on 1 side to help it stay up ! Rover 200 has struts virtually the same size as the hatch and they are a lot stronger. Thats what i have on mine and the tailgate is never going to drop with them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) 15 hours ago, Mickfrad said: I removed mine as it was lifting the front left corner of the boot, Boot now fitted and something's not right here either the hinge is different or I have the torsion rod fitted incorrectly can someone see how these to overlap think it should be under the o/s one? With torsion rod removed Exclusive hinge different to normal coupe thought they would be exactly the same?. Edited June 14, 2021 by hoobby Rod removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickfrad Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) Torsion bar looks right but that’s exactly what mine was doing, and it had the original hinges. I wondered if my hinge had gotten bent possibly on the spare at some point. Which would mean you could have unfortunately fitted a slightly bent one. Edited June 14, 2021 by Mickfrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted June 14, 2021 Author Share Posted June 14, 2021 (edited) Pic of replacement hinge and original (bottom) this is with the boot attachment end level and square. And Old hinge Both hinges with pivot hole lined up and boot end parallel. The way I see it the new hinge will hold the boot higher hence the aliment issue going to get old bracket welded up and if it fits correctly will replicate on replacement without the distortion well that's the plan. Edited June 14, 2021 by hoobby New pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickfrad Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 Not sure what the answer is other than leaving the bar off and possibly fitting gas struts somehow. Appears to be an exclusive issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny D114BCW Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 I cut them off mine. Rubbish idea and lift the back edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 just read this . are we saying that this is a coupe issue ? personally ive only ever had 2 coupes but numerous saloons with the same arrangement and never ever seen this issue .the saloon hinges can be shimmed for perfect alignment if needs be but usually only a washer required on 1 bolt to make level. regarding a coupe thou if the boot is shut i cannot see how this is happenning unless the actual arm is flexing with the torsion rod trying to lift the rear even when its shut. ? if this is the case then the arms must be weaker or different in some way to a saloon version and there must be a fix/ mod. maybee reinforcing the arm with a plate along its full length making it into a box section .? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 (edited) I had a good look at the n/s hinge(torsion rods fitted) as I began to push the boot down it bends and distorts quite a bit in time this will open the bent enough so the boot attachment end changes its angle till the back of the boot hits the rear boot panel first causing the front to stay higher also as the boot moves down the rod gets twisted even more so when boot is down the bracket may open up enough to cause a gap. once I'm happy with the aliment will remove bracket and as cam.in.head suggests will have it reinforced if you have an exclusive with both rods fitted have a look at this it's scary stuff. Old hinge now repaired will fit at the weekend. Edited June 15, 2021 by hoobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottboyd Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 Interested in this topic too, I have a 87 Exclusive coupe, with the Irmscher rear spoiler. Since I got the car (1999) the boot only ever had one torsion bar (driver side) and never stayed up on its own. I recently got a second torsion bar, fitted it as per your photo Hooby, kinda criss-crossing each other, and had the exact same issue, that window side corner of the boot about 2" out of alignment (think it was a little higher than your photo). Mucked about with the boot lid for ages (with both torsion bars in place on the hinges), couldn't get it to sit anywhere near right. Gave up, removed the second torsion bar, went back to cut off broom handle in the boot. And you are right, scary putting the torsion bar back on / taking back off, I used two sets of vice-grip pliers to get the twist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoobby Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 6 hours ago, scottboyd said: scary putting the torsion bar back on The method I used is very manageable it did slip out a couple of times but as stilsons are so heavy not much happens to them unlike say a lighter tool like a large screwdriver there is a potential for a horrible accident and being called Cyclops for the rest of your life I know a mechanic who was trying to remove a windscreen seal from a mini with a screwdriver you can image the rest again please respect doing this job think it through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 This is the official removal tool if you fancy having a go at making one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 if the hinge flexes as much as you say then it must be a different design/angle than a saloon type and sounds like it would definately benefit from an added reinforcement to the entire length of the open side .cant beleive gm let this issue pass ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 Saloons and coupes have different hinges and also different boot lids. Looks like you got a saloon hinge instead of a coupe hinge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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