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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Bonnet support

Hi all,
MG midget Mk III
On the odd occasion when I have to open the bonnet ( !), The bonnet is held up much higher on the strut side & is presumably twisting slightly? Just wondered ....does anyone have a solution to a second strut on the nearside?
Cheers colin
colin frowen

Colin,
they're all like that but it doesn't seem to effect anything enough to worry about

a good idea that I've never quite got around to is to fit one of the MGB telescopic gas struts kits unfortunately the boot kits wont fit on our boots
Nigel Atkins

Ping 7 iron golf club is what I use

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Colin

Gas struts, the kit is available from the MGOC, at least it was 10 years ago, they are a bit stiff, but work ok. I can give you the measurements to fit if you go this route.

Dave


Dave Barrow

Dave

I'd be interested in those measurements please!
Nick P

Maybe not much help for that side of the pond, but here is a discussion/solution from over here:
http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?3,1360738
Trevor Jessie

Boot struts from any hatchback are close enough for bonnet struts, though the one I had was a bit stiff.
Rob Armstrong

Gas springs are readily available in many sizes fairly inexpensively, I know someone that bought a pair last year for about £20 each new with the required end fittings of which there are a few to chose from. They are available as adjustable where you can vent some of the gas to reduce the force of the gas spring. If you vent too much though they'll have to be sent back for re-pressurisation. The main thing is going to be the geometry, ie knowing the fixing points, so they hold the bonnet up when open and close OK and an idea of the force to hold the bonnet up at the fixing location.
David Billington


Colin
Mine were a trial fit at first, but have now been on for over Ten years, and work fine. The measurements are as follows>

The lower bracket is 29.5 inches (75CM) from the bolt that attaches the upper rear of the wing to the body.

The upper bracket is 17.5 inches (44.5CM) from the rear of the bonnet. (hood)

Dave
Dave Barrow

Here's my Low carbon footprint bespoke support. Seriously though you may find smaller gas struts (for the boot lid) at a Kitchen supplier (of all places). These are short and not too powerful so they won't bend the tinny rear lid.


R W Bowers

sorry lads this is definitely more useful, probably pick up one of these for 15 quid, and it already has brackets HTH


R W Bowers

Anyone thought of using a pair of MGBGT hatch stays?
Chris at Octarine Services

A lot of people use a removable tube which sits between the bonnet catch fitting in the front cross member and on the leading edge of the bonnet.

I have one of those mechanical struts where you lift the bonnet slightly and twiddle the locking clip to lower the thing. It's all lop sided and the theory is to swap sides from time to time to balance it out. Ah, that's the theory....
GraemeW (Kent!)

Dave B

What's the MGOC part number please?

Thanks!
Nick P

Why not just go back to the superior -imo- earlier stay rod, which supports the bonnet in the centre ( thus no twist )?

AHA7640 £13.96 plus shipping from Moss UK, or ££14.51 from sussex plus shipping.


Or, just fit another sliding stay to the passenger side of the bonnet/wing. AHA9717 £14.42 plus shipping.
Lawrence Slater

but Lawrence, the gas charged struts help you lift the heavy bonnet.
Trevor Jessie

Ah, it's a lack of spinach then. Better call for Popeye. ;).



Lawrence Slater


Nick P
The kit part number is F340, but I don't know if they still do it, the online shop shows the part number, but no cost or availability, probably best to ring them.

Dave
Dave Barrow

Seriously... 7 iron works perfectly

Put the handle in the cup andthe golf head in the slot next to the bonnet latch

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2014 and 16/01/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.