So, ever since I got it the van's bonnet release lever has never been right. It was just screwed in to a nut that had been shoved in the hole, and would keep going loose. Eventually it fell out completely, much to the disgust of the garage I took it to, who had to faff around for ages to get it open (sorry guys!).
Last week I went and picked up the lever, but could not figure out how to get the thing it attaches to out of the bonnet. I eventually just wrenched the lever off with big long pliers, figuring I'd find a way to attach it.
This is how I did it...
Photo 1: The beginning state. Nothing to attach the lever to (there should be a kinda hat-shaped bit of metal there that it attaches to, instead of a hole.
Photo 2: Got some flat steel from Mr B and Mr Q, and set about it with a blowtorch and pliers. Bent it roughly into the shape I wanted ... Very roughly
The stuff is about 2 mm thick. WAY thicker than what I need for this ... which is just a pivot for a lever!
I then had to hacksaw the bit off the end, and hacksaw it off the bar. Hard work with the junior hacksaw ...
Photo 3: Drilled holes for rivets, also filed the rough edges down ...
Photo 4: Pop-riveted it in place.
Photo 5: All ready to bolt together. M6 bolt through it, and THIS time ... that's a nylon locknut in there! Don't want it falling out again ...
Job's a good'un