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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear spring box section

I dont know the correct name for this, but this is the box section that the front of the rear leaf spring goes into. (3 sided box)

I'm having to change the rear axle as some of you might have seen my other post about a previous garage welding the hub nut on, anyway my new (2nd hand) axle has arrived, I presume the casing will fit any year?

Anyway there was also play on the rear shackles so Im fitting new leafs, bushes etc as it could do with freshing up. In the hunt for where the front leaf spring mounting plate nuts were I pealed back the carpet behind the seat and found this,

I seem to remember reading ages ago that its a horrible repair to do? The guy who failed the MOT on the car didnt notice this...

Anyway can you guys tell me what you think, there's a small pin hole/crack (can see daylight) and also I've yet to examine but a larger section of broken paint.




D Tetley

Also should this have a closing plate/panel? Or should it be open? There certainly was something there?


D Tetley

Do you really need to change the springs? The originals may be better than some of the new ones that are available!

Just a thought Carl
C Bintcliffe

You already know don't you? You have some welding to attend to. That definitely needs repair and it's in a somewhat difficult area to address. Moss has repair panels for both the rear floor section around the spring hanger and the bulkhead panel. The rear most panel is basically flat sheet metal so you should be able to make your own patch for that. From the looks of that inner sill panel those need some work as well.
Bill Young

The other thought is that these areas tend to rust from the inside of the box section, outwards. So by the time rust is beginning to show on the surface, as it is on the heel board of your car, it is likely to be a good deal worse on the inside. Despite the complexity of the construction, if you can weld it is not really that difficult to cut out rusted sections and weld in the new parts.

Guy
Guy Weller

As Bill says, you know where this will end up, don't you? Sorry, I'm just at the same bit except I need to replace my sill too! The closing plate you refer to is actually part of the spring hanger box and is part of the strengthener between the 2 triangles that I think carry all the weight of the spring into the rear bulkead structure. This webpage has some great pictures of this repair:

http://webpages.charter.net/smsallen/The Second Year.html

(you might need to copy/paste it to get it to work) The squarer of the holes in the top few pics is where the spring comes through and right above it is the bit which seems to be missing on your car.

The fact that that bit is gone would tend to indicate that there's a problem in there, cos Guy's comment is true.
Just about to get there myself but the concensus seems to be that taking the inner bulkhead off gives best access. Are you a welder, or could you be?
Others will give you an idea of how serious this could be but you may well be able to get the summer out of it & deal with it when the good weather ends - unlike me! :o(

Good luck!
-Craig
C Robertson

Hi Mr Tetley,

I have recently replaced the whole bulkhead and spring hanger and have picture im my archive at www.k-midget.co.uk if you want to look.

I dont think i have done the best job in the world, but it looks ok to me and as long as it does to the MOT man too i dont mind!


Robert McGeown

another


Robert McGeown

and another...


Robert McGeown

This thread was discussed between 10/07/2009 and 14/07/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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