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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Door shut lines

Dear experts.

Firstly huge appreciation for the amazing info on this site. I have depended on it so much for my first nuts n bolts restoration. (I'm nuts and nearly bolted) Thank you all. My '69 Red Menace has been out on the road and is a joy to drive.

Almost my very last problem is the door latch engaging with the striker plate on both doors.

The door sits proud of the b post by about 4mm
The door closes and latches fine
Shut lines arond the door are fine
I've moved the striker plate as far inboard as humanly possible, even elongating the holes so the striker plate actually touches the seam.
The problem persists even without the door seals
If I lean on the door, it will line up, but springs back out its standard 4mm as soon as I move


It's driving me nuts.
The only thing I can think of is the latch itself is worn. But buying a new one to check is an expensive business.

Please tell me there is a standard fix!
B M Le Page

I couldn't get pics to upload so here is a link (I hope)

https://1drv.ms/f/s!Atxys4LLN_Q8nKoyDQ784YlS-zhhyQ
B M Le Page

B M Le Page,
that One Dive link aint not working no-way, (for me now anyway*) try reducing the size of your photos and it's one photo per post.

(* now it is again)

Nigel Atkins

Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to make this work.

Brendon


B M Le Page

It might sound like a silly question, but have you moved the striker in too far?

The latch has two stages and you may have moved it so far that it will now only latch on the first stage and not get as far as the second.

If you open the door and operate the latch with a screwdriver, you will see what I mean.

...unless you already know that, in which case, ignore what I just said ;o)
Dave O'Neill 2

Brilliant suggestion thanks I will check this first thing. Damn. I hope you are right, even if it proves I've been foolish! I'll report back, red faced if necessary.
B M Le Page

No need to be red faced if this is the case.

All of us have made stupid mistakes. Top trunnion on wrong way around anyone.......
C MADGE

Thanks you are absolutely right the lock has two stages and off the door it works fine. On the door the second stage doesn't engage on either door.

So now there will be a bit of head scratching and fettling but at least I will be working in the right direction and I haven't ruined anything yet.

Brilliant! I should have asked much earlier.

Brendon Le Page

B M Le Page

Brendon,
I make a silly mistake just about every time I do something on the car, if not every time.

You've worked out how to post a photo which will probably help with future, as might putting up your vehicle profile for view (well some might check it before reply).

I'm not saying it's the case now but the quarterlight seal on the windscreen pillars if it's overlong can catch the top front corner of the door and make the door bounce back a little requiring more force to shut the door.
Nigel Atkins

Yes I will take your advice about posting a vehicle profile as soon as I find all the numbers.

Ashley Hinton pointed out midget door seals have narrow profile so I might have to try that now that the door closes.

I've had plenty of fun with the quarterlight/windscreen angle/fitting the hard top conundrum already!the rubber seals will come into play once the door closes properly.

Btw with some filing and bending the lock now engages the striker plate properly. Success!

B M Le Page

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2019 and 17/04/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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