Damo460

heard too many storeys of bonnets opening at high speeds and smashing everything and it happened to a mate few months back so i was thinking of getting some aerocatch's just wondered if anyone has got these or had them and are they worth it?

Tidgy

they hold the bonnet down, um thats it lol

they do exactly what they say they do lol

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

I have some.
Cant say my bonnet catch has ever failed though.

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

I used to run the lockable versions on my old 3dr sierra as i had removed the OE catch.

so long as you remember to close them they do exactly what they are supposed to do.
a lad on passionford the other day however, forgot to close his aerocatches...
the result was quite a mess!

imo keep the OE catch aswell

Damo460

I know what they do haha i was guna keep the oe catch also its more of a "better safe then sorry" thing plus i think they look good

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

So you know what they do and you like the look...
Whats the point of this thread then??

Damo460

just wondered if other people think they are worth the money

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

If you think your bonnets going to pop open at speed then yes as they will prevent this for about 40 quid

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

They seem a good product, going to fit some in the summer.

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

The only downside to them is that you have to cut bloody great holes in the bonnet.

i also riveted mine on, as due to placement it would have been a bit off messing about cutting away the structural part of the underside of the bonnet to nut and bolt. at least with rivets you only need to drill through the one skin, and you can get black annodised rivets.

also dont forget the rust proof paint for the exposed metal edges

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

You can buy backing plates to avoid messing with the bolts. Rivets seem a bit of an i cant be arsed to do the job right solution.

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

the backing plates are fine if you are only going through single skin, so have a nice flat bit of bonnet to clamp the catch to. i didnt.
also the screw supplied with them although are black oxide, can still rust. so with black alloy rivets they wont ever rust, and were the the perfect solution to fitting them on my sierra.
i cant use photobucket at work, or id put up some pics so you can see what im on about lol

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

Most bonnets are double skinned.
You cut a hole in the second skin underneath the bonnet to mount the backing plate.
The plate also adds a lot of strength to the catch.

Damo460

wheres the best place to get them?

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

Ebay about 38 quid.
Buying them is the easy part.

Damo460

okay i'll have a look later. they cant be that hard to fit can they?

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

Have you heard of the saying measure twice, cut once?

if so, measure 5 times lol

its always a bit worrying cutting holes in the bodywork!!
i put a good few layers of masking tape on the area to fit them, marked out where to cut and drill etc but everyone will have different methods to fit them.

i still had a drill snap and managed to scratch the bonnet... just after having a full inside and out paint job
and if you use hole cutters, dont use cheap ones, get some decent ones that cut metal easily.

not that hard to fit, just take your time!

Damo460

i wouldn't start cutting until i was 100% sure i got them in the right place, the only thing that is putting me off is when it comes to selling up it might put alot of people off buying it.

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

Well dont fit them then

Fonzey

iTrader: (5)

I have to admit my nerves have flaired a couple of times seeing the bonnet scoop pick up some air when driving at speed, my bonnet seems to have about 1/4inch movement when trucking along.

I really don't like aerocatches aesthetically though...

Damo460

Does this happen with all scoobys? and is there anything else other then aerocatches to make it more secure? does it really need anything or am i worrying to much about something i shudnt??

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

its not a common problem, it can happen if the catch is not kept lubed.
but it usually pops and the safety part catches it.
id say most aerocatches are fitted for aesthetics on road cars.
if you like them fit them, if you dont like the look then dont bother.
it suits some imprezas more than others and where they are positioned has an effect.

Damo460

okay thanks i lubed it and checked its all working fine couple weeks ago but like fonzey said it makes me nervous when i see it lift.
think i'll leave it for now rather then cut holes and regret it 2 months later haha
thanks for the help

Ash170990

iTrader: (1)

ive ordered some for mine, mainly for peice of mine, saw a fiesta have the bonnet flip up at silverstone at ford fair last year (that had catches but the guy hadnt closed them!) but it made a mess of the car....

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

How can you not close them?
They are spring loaded and you can see them if they are open from inside the car

Ash170990

iTrader: (1)

these were morel ike just bonnet pins, where you put the bar through the eye if you know what i mean.... still not sure how they forgot to close then though! was a tuners demo car too!

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

So not aerocatches at all then.
You can clearly see if aerocatches are still open.

Ash170990

iTrader: (1)

no, more like bonnet pins, but do the same thing....when there shut...

tubbytommy

iTrader: (20)

Not really as aerocatches can be lockable and are clearly seen if they are open.
His cheap bonnet pins caused his problem.
It wouldnt have happened with aerocatches. Which is why a lot of motorsport cars use them.

Fudgey

iTrader: (1)

Its still easy to forget to close them...

like this

http://passionford.com/forum/general...t-catches.html