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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Jacking/Supporting

I have a 76, 1500 midget. Over the winter I intend to refurbish the wheels (all at once). What/how is the best way to get the car off the ground for a short period to get the wheels sorted.
Thanks
Nigel
Nigel Axtell

Hi Nigel

I generally jack up the rear end by using a trolly jack under the centre of the diff. I then place an axle stand under the front mounting of each rear spring, then drop the jack out.

At the front I use a piece of 4X2 wood across the front chassis rails (just behind the front anti roll bar) I then place axle stands either under each chassis leg or either end of the 4X2
Bob Turbo Midget England

Make sure you when you're finished to let down the front before the rear as otherwise your trolley jack will get wedged under the fuel tank and you wont' be able to move it up nor down for love nor money without another jack. Don't ask me how I know!!
For much the same reason its easier to jack up the rear first.
Matt1275Bucks

Bob, why don't you put the axles stands under the axle?

Much better support, and the axle isn't then left hanging. imo:)
Lawrence Slater

it's a lot easier to take the wheels off and on with the axle hanging, especially if the springs are a bit soft.
David Smith

Yes true, good point on sq arches.
Lawrence Slater

And I know someone who once had the stands under the axle while he was undoing the U-bolts .... fortunately he wasn't flattened when the inevitable happenned.
(And no, although I've had my share of bloopers over the years, it wasn't me!)
Paul Walbran

Yep mine is a square arch car with 185 profile tyres and would be impossible to get the wheels off with the axle supported.

Also as described if you do happen to want to work on the axle it becomes very easy but the main issue in this question is the square arches of a 1500 MIDGET
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

My '64 Midget has SWA's. Placing the axle stands under the axle won't allow me to take my centre locks off. I therefore jack up the rear end under the diff, as Bob says, and then place axle stands under the front spring hangers. I then lower the diff until there is sufficient clearance to remove the wheels but I leave the jack under the diff as an extra safety measure. I again do the same as Bob at the front end. The 1500 Midget also has SWA's and so this procedure will equally apply.
I should add that because my car sits lower that standard I always roll the rear wheels onto 2" wooden blocks first before I use the jack to lift the rear end. This allows enough room for the jack to be placed under the diff. The front end is also a bit tight and I have to remove the cup on the top of the lift to allow enough clearance and also remove the quick lift feature of the trolley jack. Fun and games of Midget ownership eh?
Neil K

Yup, even though my sprite isn't lowered deliberately, due to rear spring sag, I have to pre-lift the body a little before I can get the trolly past the petrol tank and under the diff. (It's the 6 gal tank).

btw. does anyone actually ever use the standard jacking points and wind up jack?
Lawrence Slater

Nope. My jacking points are totally sound but I just can't bring myself to using them. I always carry a scissor jack and a block of wood in the boot of my MG's. I leave the original jack at home. Call me fussy if you like!
Neil K

Yes me too. I carry a scissor, but haven't even got an original jack. When I repaired the floors years back, I didn't bother to repair/strengthen the jacking points. I never trusted them anyway.
Lawrence Slater

So if you are jacking with a scissor jack or a bottle jack... do you jack under the front end of the rear spring hangers? Or under the same place on the sill where the jacking points are?

I'm taking the rear axle and springs off next week and I still haven't decided where to support in order to drop the rear springs.
C L Carter

there are posts and photos about this in the Archives from fairly recently
N Atkins

Under the front spring hangers.

If you have repaired and strengthened the original jack points, with a metal plate under the floor, you could use the original points.

But if not, then you'll probably put dents in your floor, so I would just forget the original jacking points personally.

When I take out the rear springs, I put a scaffold board right across the rear floor just in front of the front spring hangers. I jack up under this, whilst also supporting the weight of the axle. I usually do one side at a time, but have had both sides and the complete axle out a couple of times at least.
Lawrence Slater

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2011 and 19/11/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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