Adjusting boot, bonnet doors

[Cooper]

Can someone please assist me with the following, I can't seem to find good instructions and trouble shooting tips on these adjustments. Comments or links welcome on the 3 issues. I would rather pull the dash out then attempt these things, it is one of those things I find hard to grasp!

• I have to slam the boot to get it closed. When I open it seems to 'just catch a wee bit' [not what I would consider a 'clean' release. I have messed around a long time and have the U thingo down the bottom adjusted all the way up. Any lower and the boot will not lock down.
• The bonnet front sits a bit too low and the liner is rubbing the end of the plastic engine cover removing the paint decal. It looks as if it was this way from new. The bonnet locks down securely as it should.
• Both the doors need some sort of adjustment. They make a loud 'click' when opening as it seems the catch might be a bit out of position. If I press down with a couple of kilos and release the door it sounds perfect.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jjim]

I'd also be interested to see what people recommend, as I have bought another Z3 that requires a 'bit of force' to close the bonnet and boot.

 

[mrscalex]

Difficult to describe in words. I learnt from studying the planes of adjustment and trial and error.

With the boot lid loosen the lower catch then tighten it so it just holds. Shut the lid and it will find it's own position. Open the lid carefully and tighten. For a small adjustment that should be fine. If that doesn't work you should adjust the fit of the boot lid at the hinges, as a start point so so you have an even panel gap all round if not already.

With the bonnet the catch adjustment is on the upper part with the hook, not lower. That should be adjusted so it glances the plastic on the way down rather than digs at it. You also have adjustment of how far it sits down by the 4 rubber screw stops. If still no good you may need to adjust the fit of the whole bonnet, again at the edges and again starting out from an even panel gap.

Never really done much with door adjustment. But you may find the boot catch trick works there too.

 

[mrscalex]

Don't forget with the bonnet there is also adjustment on the front bumper brackets in the wheel arch and the headlamps within the surrounds (not beam adjustment). Both these things can also make it look like the bonnet isn't sitting right.

Just last night I was doing that job on my project car. It was fiddly and was good but not perfect after an hour of adjustment.

 

[Cooper]

Don't forget with the bonnet there is also adjustment on the front bumper brackets in the wheel arch and the headlamps within the surrounds (not beam adjustment). Both these things can also make it look like the bonnet isn't sitting right. Just last night I was doing that job on my project car. It was fiddly and was good but not perfect after an hour of adjustment.

Yup, in my case the bonnet is rubbing on the engine cover so it is too low. It looks fine though from the outside. I will not repaint the cover until this issue is resolved. I think about 3 mm will suffice

 

[mrscalex]

Yup, in my case the bonnet is rubbing on the engine cover so it is too low. It looks fine though from the outside. I will not repaint the cover until this issue is resolved. I think about 3 mm will suffice

That does sound low. On the face of it you can fix that by screwing up the bump stops.

If you find a paint I can use to touch in my engine covers so it matches let me know!

 

[Phil B]

looks like this lady has got the bonnet adjustment sorted

 

[g8jka]

I had an issue with my boot not closing after changing it even though the shut lines were spot on. Tried adjusting that both latches in all directions with no success. Ended up taking out the rod that connects the latch to the lock inside the boot lid and adjusting that (screws in and out) and it worked a treat. @Grumps also had an issue with his not closing and I think he adjusted the rod and got it working.

The bonnet can be just lifted a tad by using the bump stops otherwise you need to start messing around with the hinges which is a bit more of a pain, or the bumper has some adjustment to align it with the bonnet.

The doors maybe catching on the front wings or the bonnet when opening/closing so be careful as this could be what the banging is. If they are catching it will do all sorts of damage to your paintwork. If its just the catch that is out of position you need to adjust the door at the hinges.

 

[Grumps]

I had an issue with my boot not closing after changing it even though the shut lines were spot on. Tried adjusting that both latches in all directions with no success. Ended up taking out the rod that connects the latch to the lock inside the boot lid and adjusting that (screws in and out) and it worked a treat. @Grumps also had an issue with his not closing and I think he adjusted the rod and got it working.

The bonnet can be just lifted a tad by using the bump stops otherwise you need to start messing around with the hinges which is a bit more of a pain, or the bumper has some adjustment to align it with the bonnet.

The doors maybe catching on the front wings or the bonnet when opening/closing so be careful as this could be what the banging is. If they are catching it will do all sorts of damage to your paintwork. If its just the catch that is out of position you need to adjust the door at the hinges.

Yes Dave I did. It used to pop up at any opportunity as I was driving. @t-tony Will be able to tell you exactly what he did. It has done it once since when I hit a large pot hole on Tonys reccie run last weekend.