Devon Moonraker poptop struts - what size bolts

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Dane, Mar 23, 2017.

  1. First post :) might be overthinking the issue but just wanted to double check .....

    just replaced all 3 hinges on devon moonraker '79' and one of the front struts snapped
    (on the screw in part that the eyelet attach to, ordered two new ones from sgs, not sure if the bolts I fitted caused it to snap)

    the bolts on the struts, what are the recommended sizes, they were all different sizes when I took them off
    should they be max size that will fit e.g. 10mm or 8mm so the strut can spin/rotate easier

    are full threaded bolts ok are is it worth adding the part threaded bolts so they eyelet isn't on a thread,
    (on the eyelets of the existing struts there's some thread marks - if that makes sense)
     
  2. It's a long time since I did this but you need bolts which fit snugly. 10mm sounds about right, and get bolts with an unthreaded section at the top end where it goes through the eye, with nylock nuts so you can tighten securely but not so hard the thing doesn't swivel.

    BTW my nuts and bolts shop always berates me (in a friendly way) when I get the terminology wrong. They tell me that a bolt always has an unthreaded section at the top end. Where it's thread all the way it's called a set screw. But others on here will probably argue otherwise.

    Also, did you know that the struts come in two different lengths on a Moonraker? If you put them back wrong you'll damage one of the struts when you close the lid.

    Oh and welcome to the party.
     
    Valveandy, Dicky and theBusmonkey like this.
  3. I think bolts would be 6mm as opposed to 10 (thats spanner size?) Oh yes and nyloc nuts are useful as you don't want to tighten fully possibly and a normal not will just fall off!
     
  4. Thanks for the info, will get some nylock nuts

    All struts are the same length, 500mm to the middle of the eyelet's , the guy from sgs said that sounded the right length

    Do you know what lengths they are meant to be ?
    (When pop top is up the horizonal strut is just about loose on the bolt and the vertical one is just not loose by a few mm )

    The struts are 65 n , from what have read they are normally 40 n. It's more a case of holding it down when raising the top than having to push up
     

  5. Regret I sold my Moonraker in 2003 so can't tell you much more but I do remember that of the two struts, one attaches to the edge of the roof, the other to the centre. I unknowingly put them on back to front and it bent the eye on one. It also distorted the roof and threatened to poke through the fibreglass, so I think the short one is meant to go to the edge.

    Somebody on here will be able to give you the correct specs.
     
  6. Last edited: Mar 25, 2017
  7. Thanks for the info guys, appreciated :)
     

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