Okay, so after a bit of planning, wrong parts ordered and perseverance I have modified the Bravo boot to make it open automatically when using the key fob.
Why do this? Simple, I think it looks great and it's really useful when you have your hands full - especially if like me you have kids!
Please bare in mind that this is a WORKING PROGRESS and I mean this literally, due to the cold temperatures over the last two weeks there have been a handful of times where the boot has only opened half way. This could be due to either the cold weather making the gas struts stiffer, or that the springs I have purchased have lost their factory freshness and are no longer effective at popping the boot up. Either way, my goal is to create a set-up which will work all year round.
For anyone that want's to actively get involved, here is what I have bought so far;
https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/product.cgi?action=view&id=31088
http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts/fixed/8mm-rod/gs8-18-210-255
I set the NM force to 400, the standard struts are supposedly 380nm but they won't be after many years of use! I have also removed my rear wiper motor so the boot is lighter. I would advise a maximum of 420NM because 400NM is already powerful and I fear any higher would result in a boot that's too hard to close.
To see it in action, please see my short rather cheesy YouTube vid - it's my first video be kind!
My next plan will be to slightly enlarge the springs, possibly from B20x32 to B20x38. I have to be very careful though because too long and the boot won't close!
I will keep this thread active with updates until I am happy with the all-year-round results.
Any questions are always welcomed and thanks for reading
Why do this? Simple, I think it looks great and it's really useful when you have your hands full - especially if like me you have kids!
Please bare in mind that this is a WORKING PROGRESS and I mean this literally, due to the cold temperatures over the last two weeks there have been a handful of times where the boot has only opened half way. This could be due to either the cold weather making the gas struts stiffer, or that the springs I have purchased have lost their factory freshness and are no longer effective at popping the boot up. Either way, my goal is to create a set-up which will work all year round.
For anyone that want's to actively get involved, here is what I have bought so far;
https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/product.cgi?action=view&id=31088
http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts/fixed/8mm-rod/gs8-18-210-255
I set the NM force to 400, the standard struts are supposedly 380nm but they won't be after many years of use! I have also removed my rear wiper motor so the boot is lighter. I would advise a maximum of 420NM because 400NM is already powerful and I fear any higher would result in a boot that's too hard to close.
To see it in action, please see my short rather cheesy YouTube vid - it's my first video be kind!
My next plan will be to slightly enlarge the springs, possibly from B20x32 to B20x38. I have to be very careful though because too long and the boot won't close!
I will keep this thread active with updates until I am happy with the all-year-round results.
Any questions are always welcomed and thanks for reading
