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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - body work

Hello,

I am planning the job to do on my project midget MKI, and wich parts to buy.
I have to change sills, floor, and perhaps rear sping hangers.
As the rear bulkhead is not in very good condition, I ask myself to buy a complete one with spring hangers assembled from FrogeyeSpares.

My questions are :

what is the order to do the job?
Bulkhead, sills, floors, or another one?
when you remove and put a new rear bulkhead, what is it important to do to be sure the car will be straight after this work?

thanks
laurent
ld derancourt

Laurent,
It depends on just how bad the car is at present. The important thing is that the spring hangers and pivot points for the rear springs and trailing arms accurate, as these will hold the rear axle in the right position. If the triangular reinforcing sections that carry the rear shock absorbers are still undisturbed - and they usually are as they are made of thicker steel, then you can use these to position everything else around. The Brackets that support the trailing arms will align accurately as they bolt to these triangular pieces. Then the spring hanger itself will bolt to the brackets and this should get everything positioned correctly. The key is to take lots of measurements and not to cut out any rusted metal until you have worked out exactly how you are going to position the replacement parts.

I nearly bought a complete rear bulkhead - the only reason I didn't was that the jig-assembled one that I had ordered was twisted and so badly assembled that I sent it back and bought seperate panels. It was cheaper that way! Also, when I came to assemble it I realised that to replace it as a complete unit would mean that the whole of the rear of the car would be pretty well disconnected and left hanging in the air. I felt more confident of keeping the alignment right by doing it one section at a time.

I am half way through. I have replaced the outer bulkhead panel as a complete single panel but it was at this stage that my spot welder gave up. Whilst doing that re-wind I have fitted the spring hangers and brackets as described, all bolted up to the triangular plates. The measurements are looking good so they will be welded into place next, before I then cut out the remains of the inner bulkhead and replace that.

Guy
Guy Weller

in fact I have no idea concerning the condition of the rear spring hanger, but as you see on the photo, there are a lot of rust on this aera.


ld derancourt

Laurent, that is rusty, but not a lot of rust.
This is a lot of rust....:


!!


Guy Weller

And this is what the spring hanger itself looks like


Guy Weller

Sure my car is in better condition than yours.
I will not be abble to restore your car. It is too much for me.
you are really brave.
ld derancourt

This thread was discussed on 19/06/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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