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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - How the hell do you fit new bump stops!!

Hello

I have bought new bump stops for the rear axel, I have tried to fit them but they are so tight, is there a technique to it?

Thanks

Simon
Simon Taylor

I don't know if this will reassure you or not, but I had planned to change mine too, and decided just to leave them when I couldn't get 'em to budge.

Visual inspection rated them as "good enough" so in the true spirit of things, I gave up :/

OrangeSpyderMan

Lubrication generally helps to slip things in.

On a side note. Apparently the male population believe innuendo comedy is the funniest. LOL
Bob Turbo Midget England

washing up liquid is good, rubber grease is better, and insert them with a twisting or screwing-in action.
David Smith

Bob

Women goes into a bar and orders an innuendo; so the bar-man gave her one.

OT: I use WD-40.

A
Anthony Cutler

Washing up liquid isn't really a good idea since it is:

1. Hygroscopic

2. Contains salt
Deborah Evans

Silicone grease/lubricant as they are designed to be used on/with rubber/plastics. Normal greases and oils (including WD-40) degrade rubber. The same should go for rubber bushes.

And WD-40 is naff as a lubricant anyway!

Cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

rubber grease and twisting action, along with a clamp to apply pressure at the same time.
Alternatively (to the clamp):
- jack the car up so the axle hangs fully down, put stands under body and remove jack for later use.
- cut a block of wood to take up the space between bump stop and where it engages on the body (about 6")
- jack the axle under the U-bolts to generate load on the bump stop.

MGB's have the same bump stop but a much better spigot which is conical in section and so the bump stop slips over more easily. You can replicate this in the midget to an extent by cutting a small taper into the bump stop hole before doing all the above.
Paul Walbran

Some Midgets also had the conical spigot, but some some have the flat 'button' which is a PITA.
Dave O'Neill 2

"And WD-40 is naff as a lubricant anyway!"

That's because it wasn't designed as a lubricant but as a Water Dispersant. The clue is in the name WD.
Deborah Evans

What about olive oil,.... amazimg the amount uses for it


prop
Prop

My point exactly Deb, doesn't stop people using it as a light oil tho!

Prop, I could say the same about baby oil... ooo err matron!

Cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

I'm with Malcolm
>>Silicone grease/lubricant as they are designed to be used on/with rubber/plastics<<

silicone grease, apply with a small cheap artists' paint brush that way you get it exactly where you want and not where you don't (like on your hands)

small cheap artists' paint brush is good for applying other stuff that if it gets anywhere other than where you want it seems to spread like wild fire, such as copperease

you could spray a little lube but again if you get it on your hands it transfer easily

one I use, can also be used to help keep condition of rubber seals - http://reviews.halfords.com/4028/724542/reviews.htm
N Atkins

Oh good idea, on the baby oil, or menerial oil

Sockless toes make good paint brushes....hahahaha

Prop
Prop

In a tight spot? Use KY lube.

Might not help with the bump stop, but can sure help with the daily bump and grind sometimes.
Lawrence Slater

I did mine earlier this year. Mine had the flat 'button' type as Dave describes.

I used a smear of grease and a tool that I had in the cupboard for tighening plastic plumbing joints. It has a plastic handle and a ribbed rubber strip. It helps to get the leverage you need to stop it slipping.

I will post a photo when I get chance.
Tony Brough

"plastic handle and a ribbed rubber strip"

Are you sure? lol

My girl friend has a tool like that, I think she calls it roger rabbit or something.



On the bump stops, I found getting them off was best achieved with a hacksaw. I couldn't budge them enough otherwise.

I used a tube of Girling red rubber grease from an old brake cylinder kit, to put the new ones on.

Lawrence Slater

My girl friend has a tool like that, I think she calls it roger rabbit or something



im not sure the (bullet) is a good ..."something" ....in this situation, hahaha

Prop....i should really watch more tv
Prop

I simply used a clamp, no oil/ lubricant. Wasn't easy, but worked well.
J.W. Vlaanderen

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2011 and 27/07/2011

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