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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget Bonnet hinges

Are midget bonnet hinges left and right handed??
If so could this be the cause of my bonnet not fitting flush with the wings?
Any other ideas?
Thanks
M
M D Booth

Not sure if they are handed, don't think so but maybe I have always been lucky. :)

However if the bonnet is not lining up it is not unusual. We often need to pack the platform between the hinge and the bonnet. This means that the hinge is packed at the 2 holes in the rear. Placing washers between the hinge and the bonnet at the rear 2 holes only will raise the bonnet, placing washers in between the hinge and the bonnet in the front 2 holes only will tend to drop the bonnet.

However have a play and you should get the idea.

Have you a photo of how far out it is?
Bob Turbo Midget England

Not handed I believe.

Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

Same part no for both sides, so not handed
Paul Walbran

The US hinges are left or righthand side, dont know about the UK ones.

Makes you think if there is a difference in bonnets...
Us have 2 bolts per hinge at the bonnet.
UK?
Arie de Best

Thanks for the info all. Think something is badly wrong then.
Bonnet is a good 10 to 15 mm proud (up) at hinge end. so washers will not help. During rebuild one hinge was replaced but the other is original (or as original as anything on this car :)
Thinking now that the bonnet may be a dodgy part - oh no!
will try to put a picture on if I can sort the technology!
M
M D Booth

from what ive read, no experiance personally. The UK hinge "BECOMES handed" over time, I guess with all the opening and closing and the constant stresses, they form into there own .... sorta like a car seat, But nothing to the point that your discribing

Are you using fender washers???....I know from experiance on the USA sissor hinges if you use the wrong diameter washer it will catch at the wrong place and make a mess of the adjustments exactly like you discribe
Prop

I always find when I unbolt the hood/bonnet hinges for any reason, it takes a few tries to get it right. The bolt holes both to the firewall and the hood have a little wiggle room in them (if I recall)... i would loosen the bolts but not remove them so the hinges can slide a bit if pressed but don't slide on their own and see if you can wiggle the bonnet down a bit. you may be able to get some or all of those 10mm out. once you have it adjusted better, tighten up the bolts.

...or your bonnet could be messed up.

C
Chris Edwards

Chris I agree..

but Id still rather remove then to install...one thing I did years ago was I took a sharp scratch all and scared /scraped a cut in out-line into the bonnet and around the sissor hinge so the bonnet will line up perfect each time
Prop

Is it high on both sides or just the side with the new hinge? If its just the one side its probably because there was wear in the old hinge and the wing was replaced and lined up with that.

Trev
T Mason

Hi M not sure why you think that washers will not help?

Do you understand that you need to change the angle that the hinge mounts to the bonnet.

Imagine if the hinge platform was not bolted to the bonnet and the bonnet was put in place. now if you were able to lift the hinge up to the bonnet you would find that the rear of the platform would come into contact with the bonnet before the front. That is how the thing would have to be mounted and as I said we do that with packer washers at the front of the hinge platform and direct monting at the rear of the platform. This is very difficult to explain because it does not seem obvious until you try it.

If you were to keep lifting the hinge against the bonnet you would find that when the hinge platform was parallel with the bonnet the bonnet would be sitting high at the rear as yours is.

If you want this making clearer then please email me your phone number to rjwelchmidgetataol.com and I will gladly talk you through this on the phone
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Hi Bob

I think I see a glimmer of understanding on the dark horizon of my brain....
Yes you are right that it does not seem obvious - especially to someone like me!
Going outside now to try what you said.
I'll post later with my results
Thanks
Martin
M D Booth

Well done Mr Bob!

Have managed to lower the bonnet by adding washers as you said. What a great afternoon to do it too - autumn sunshine.
Thanks to all the people posting on the threads.
This site is such a valuable tool
Martin
(in sunny Chester, UK)
M D Booth

<<<Us have 2 bolts per hinge at the bonnet.
UK?>>>

UK hinges have 4 bolts/screws to the bonnet and they don't bolt directly to the firewall/bulkhead, they are recessed into the bulkhead and have a long pivot bolt.
Dave O'Neill 2

No problem Martin as you say this is what our little organisation here is all about.

Occassionally some come to this BBS with their own agendas but generally we are a friendly helpful bunch who give their time and knowledge freely and simply want nothing more than a thankyou in return.

I hope you will hang around and enjoy the banter and set other tasks. :)
Bob Turbo Midget England

"some come to this BBS with their own agendas"


Bob(R), youve stopped taking your medicine again?
You starting to sound paranoya and seeying conspiraties.
LOL!!!!
Arie de Best

This thread was discussed between 28/09/2010 and 01/10/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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