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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Quarter light window and frame

Both my quarter light windows stick out at the top rear corner where they should meet the frame.. Is this a common ailment? And how do I fix it, I guess by twisting the outer frame?

I am in the process of replacing the frame and put the quarter light window in a new frame and it’s the same, it sticks out at the top.

C MADGE

Chris,
I can't remember noticing with my previous Spridget but both do on my midget.

Could be a combination or permutation of parts of the q/l frame, glass seal, windscreen to q/l seal, hinge, poor quality of new parts (seals?) or and/or wear and tear.

I've sealed my q/l shut, never found them of any use, couldn't leave them open when the car is left and buffeting when moving.
Nigel Atkins

Chris,

I would advise against bending the frames as they are unlikely to be the cause and once bent being stainless will not straighten - can't quite visualise what is holding it out - other than the rubber seals or a hinge pivot problem.

Is this with the s/s one I let you have ?

Have you sorted the bottom bolt assemblies and are they in the frame square ?

Are both quarterlights from S/S frames or earlier chrome ones - I don't know if there is a difference in the pivots etc.

If you still can't sort it pop down and we can review it - I still have some old q/lights to try in etc.

richard b

Richard, yes it is. It’s replacing my broken stainless steel one on the passenger side.

I have compressed the seals and gently twisted the frame a little which has improved things to a level that will ‘do for now’.






C MADGE

The drivers side which I haven’t touched


C MADGE

Thanks the the spare Richard :)
C MADGE

It appears to me that the glass is protruding too far from the Q/L frame at the top.
On mine and my spares the glass is sat behind the line of the top of the frame. In other words yours is effectivly too big to fit the aperature.

The glass may have been replaced over the years and not fitted correctly. The glass is wrapped in a rubber type strip and forced into the q/l which is a channel - if not pushed in far enough it will stick out - which yours seems to.
However its unlikely you will be able to force it in now as the rubber hardens over time.
The rubber is still available and quite cheap.
The whole unit can be fitted up on the bench to check alighment.

Also when fitting it is a bit nerve racking as it takes a fair bit of 'persuation' to get it fully seated - I used a lubricant can't remember what at present, but it must evaporate/dry out else the glass just slips out - hence only a little required !

R.
richard b

Ok thanks Richard. That makes sense, and I did wonder if that was the case. I’ll have a look the next time i’m In the garage.


And to answer your original question Richard, I replaced all the rubber seals with new. I drilled out the rivets on the plate that held the broken bolt. Made up a new one with some scrap plate and a bolt I had in the workshop. Riveted it in.

The screws holding the corner cover piece were rusted solid and the cross heads knackered. I cut a slot in the head with the Dremel and managed to unscrew them (with penetrating oil). I sourced the new correct sized screws from Moss.

One of the bolts on the old frame sheared off when removing it. Leaving a bit of bolt in the special nut. So I drilled that out and retapped it so it could be reused.

Time consuming and fiddly work, but quite satisfying when done.

I’m just waiting for the bottom mounting bracket from Ashley Hinton to finish the job.
C MADGE

I think Richard is spot on with his diagnosis.
Here's a photo of an original chrome quarter light which shows the glass fitting snugly in the frame.


Jeremy MkIII

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2019 and 06/06/2019

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