Bonnet Lifter Installation (Mondeo Mk1/2)

Bonnet Lifter Installation

Method

Lift the bonnet onto the prop, and check that the top hinge bolts on the bonnet are tight

Undo the bottom bolt on each hinge and fit the replacement ball joint bolt for the top end of each strut. In most kits the replacement bolt thread should have the same profile as the original bolt (see the notes at the bottom regarding bonnet mount fitment)

Undo the second or third wing bolt down from the windscreen on each side (about half way down the wing) and fit the replacement ball joint bolt for the bottom end of each strut. As above, the replacement bolt thread should have the same profile as the original bolt

Snap the larger end of the struts onto the bottom ball joint bolts

Lift the bonnet off the prop and snap the top end of the struts onto the ball joint bolts making sure that you support the bonnet at all times. You will probably need to lift the bonnet further than usual to get the strut on. This is normal

Gently let the bonnet back down and the struts should support the weight of the bonnet. Then ease the bonnet down onto the catch and make sure that the top bolts don't clip the wing on the way down. If they don't then push the bonnet shut and check the top of the bonnet lines up with the wings from both the front and the sides. Once you are satisfied that each panel lines up...

Open the bonnet fully, so the struts take the weight, and remove the prop - this needs wriggling out of the hole by twisting from pointing towards the right to towards the windscreen, back to the right and up to the bonnet again - in a double S shape

Notes

The number of wing bolts depends on whether your car is a Mk1 or Mk2; Some lifter kits have screw on struts rather than clip on; Some lifter kit come with retaining clips to hold the strut onto the ball joints; Certain kits actually hold the bonnet better when fitted upside down - it's worth experimenting; In a few cases, the struts will foul the next wing bolt up and this will stop the bonnet closing. To sort this simply remove the offending bolt.

A few people have experienced problems where the bonnet will not shut if the lifter is fitted to the upper most mount - in these cases fit the lifter to the lower mount (as shown in the pictures), but beware it will not hold the bonnet so strongly. In these cases, do not remove the factory stay, as it will be needed. This problem doesn't appear to be age, trim level or engine related, so may be due to different wing presses being used in the different factories making the Mondeo.

Submitted by Oz