MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - NMC - Nuts again

Morning :)

After changing the springs on the midget, my MOT tester informed me that my french daily is jealous and would like new ones too :)

I explain you my "concerns and thoughts": my rear shocks and springs are hold by two nuts. They are named "(MUL) ECROU A EMBASE / 12x125- 11,6-25". Part number is 693665. Reading the procedure, it says that you have to replace them. So I went on internet, and found that not only they are pretty expensive and not easily available, but they also look fairly standard...

Any idea why I would have to change them? What does "11,6-25" actually mean? Can I just put nyloc?

I even opened a copy of my "industrial designer guide", only to find that 12x125 is a fine thread, but nothing on the 11.6-25..."Maybe" your school and experience are wider than mine :D







CH Hamon

A lot of these type of fasteners are reusable, in an ideal world with a parts bin at hand you’d perhaps replace but I’d probably reuse them or replace with a nyloc. The ones you point out look like the crimped type of stiff nut and they usually work as stiff nuts more than once. As long as the run down torque is good (ie. they don’t spin on easily by hand and you have to use a spanner/socket all the way) then they will be fine. They will undoubtedly be very stiff to undo due to rust!

Or if in doubt check with your local main dealer - or use loctite and a lock nut!
(that’s my safety disclaimer!)

In a similar way a lot of cars and motorcycles have bolts (often brake calipers etc) that are supposed to be replaced every time but when you look into it they are just supplied with a locking compound (usually blue) in the thread. I just reuse them with loctite.
John Payne

Cedric
I believe the specs of your nut are-
I'm guessing it's a flange nut having it's flat washer built into it

12x125 11.6-25.

12mm thread
1.25mm pitch
11-overall thickness of the nut
6-hexagonal head (6 sided)
25-built in flat washer outside diameter

As John noted ,there's no real need to replace them
a drip of Loctite will do the job if it had loctite originally
It doesn't appear to be a lock nut so shouldn't need replacing

willy
William Revit

Thanks a lot, makes sense now :) I was concerned that the "11.6-25" was hidding something strange... Will do as you said ;)
CH Hamon

Cedric

What car is it please, might help with part search?

Maybe friends and family in France can locate the parts easier for you? And pop them in the post?

It makes me shudder of repairing a couple of old Renault Cluos with those odd nuts and the bolts that start oddly. I would try either re-use with Loctite, or perhaps try a new plain Nyloc with a washer (but may not be enough thread as the clever combined nut and washer may take less room on a thread that is probably just enough for these special nuts and no more).

I do like these parts that save time on a production line but more hassle in locating a replacement!

Note how I tolerate the foibles of the design and manufacture of old British cars, but get grumpy when modern cars throw up issues with faults and spare parts availability.

Are the correct Metric fine flange nuts available here?: https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/Nut_M.html

Non flanged Metric fine Nylocs at Namrick: https://www.namrick.co.uk/acatalog/Home_Metric_Fine_HT_Bolts___Nuts__28.html

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Cedric

The exact bolt and nut available special order from:
https://www.eurocarcare.net/special-order/522438.html
&
https://www.eurocarcare.net/special-order/693665.html

Are you replacing the dampers too?

These bolts and nuts will be the cheap parts compared to springs and dampers and labour to fit them...

You may need to shop around to get parts in UK, from main dealer to Eurocarparts to GSF to hopefully some independent specialists. If you are going to fit these yourself, or get a friendly local a garage to do this if you supply the correct parts, then I would be seeing if I could use my French language skills and contacts to buy direct in France to see if easier availability and perhaps cheaper or choice of better quality. Do this before 31 Dec 2020. My French is poor, and my pal in France is not so hot on cars, so was not an option for me.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Hi Mike,

Thanks a lot for all the links and descriptions. It is a Citroen C5 reg.58, with a 2.0 petrol engine and 90 000 miles: exact opposite of the Midget in term of size and driving experience ;) Really similar in term of hassle :D But I am not complaining (yet :p).

To be honest, I do use different forums, one is in French (planete-citroen) which also give you the opportunity to access the complete BOM of the car(the image on the first post is from there) and some procedures for a small fee (15eur). An other one is frenchcarforum, where I have to say that they are really helpful and friendly too (I don't have to explain here how much Brits love cars - even French ones suprisingly!). And for global and precise knowledge, I still didn't find a better place than here, hence this non-Midget thread... ;)

I still have all my family in France, which could be handy, you are right :) This also made me realized I never offered any help on that matter : please feel free to ask me if I (or they) could be of any help !
I am also suppose to go to France by car for Christmas, if the virus gives us a break... The car being of a pretty decent size, some place will be left after having fitted French wines and Belgium beers: let me know if you need any screw or Renault parts :)
CH Hamon

Regarding the springs, it looks simple, so I will have a go myself :) Just need to remember to spray Plus Gas everywhere the day before :p

I already found two springs for sale: i will change both and was hesistating to do the shock too, while at it and considering the mileage... But the price put me out :D Parts availability is not bad, thanks to big stores and ebay with so many sellers. But yes, it is easier for me to find parts for the Midget than for moderns (Lexus ct200h and now the C5)! The screws looked "normal" + difficult to get + expensive... It is why i was wondering what this long name means, and why they needed to be changed... So they will not :D

___This got me thinking: why we don't create new section in the forum? Like "servicing your modern", "home fixing",...where we can continue to share our knowledge? (Mainly yours and the stupid questions of "my friend" :D)
CH Hamon

IIRC(?) many years back it was with French(?) cars that you had to expand your tool kits to include Torx(?) as they seemed to fit them to encourage visits to their dealership servicing departments rather than elsewhere.
Nigel Atkins

Cedric

Do you have spring compressors?
Dave O'Neill 2

Cedric

Why not see how much a local independent Citroen specialist garage would charge for putting in a pair of new springs and dampers? Looks like there may be a couple not too far from you: http://www.citroenet.org.uk/resources/repairs/repairs.html

Do you have a good small local independent garage close to you as this is not a specialist job? it is just sometimes independant marque specialists can be good and also are used to the cars and getting parts easily (so handy for more complex jobs and faults in the future).

Thanks for the kind offer about parts from France for French cars - very kind, but I was thinking of you making best use of your knowledge and contacts to fix your car. If I were you I would be buying service parts (air and oil filers and oil sump plug and sump plug washers) in a hypermarket for your Citroen when in France. IIRC there is a Francophone part of this website - maybe someone would like some Midget parts brought over (if you can find any good new parts in the UK anymore!)

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Nigel, sounds more like something the Germans would do!
Malcolm

Nigel, Torx screwdriver might have been my first "car tool" for my first Xsara, to be able to disassemble the instrument panel :D Torx can handle more torque than hexagonal, French think of quality :) (or anticipate rust and damaged head when disassembling...)

Dave, just bought one ! The "cheap" system one with two rods. I managed to do without for some years, even on the Midget :) But no way around this time... You have a nice good quality one looking for a new home ? :)

Mike, no problem for the "offer" at all! Others too! At least we can find something where I can be useful! :D
I am not a big fan of dealers, not had any good experience with any in France (whatever was the size, brand or independent). Being in London also make it difficult to find a good one among all the scammers...I guess. I have to admit that I became paranoiac and I don't trust anyone touching my car, expect if he (or she!) has a Spridget :D Or a "real" MG, at least ;)



CH Hamon

Cedric,
my only experience of French cars, as new and new-ish cars, reminds me of the level of quality, particularly with interior pieces, I can understand the need for a large number of the finest fasteners to try to hold the flimsy items, still does not stop the rattles, shakes, vibration and breakages though. :)
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 22/09/2020 and 23/09/2020

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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