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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Stupid question re jacking

Probably a stupid question and I apologise but I am about to replace the rear suspension on my midget and am unsure how to support the car whilst I do so. I propose to jack under the diff and put axle stands forward of the front spring hangers with wood to spread the load under the body. Does this sound OK ? I have four axle stands so could raise the whole car, would appreciate some advice please.

Many thanks

Paul.
P Bromley

you don't want anything forward of the spring hangers as this is the flat area of the floor under the seat.

I would use a thick piece of timber to bridge across the bulkhead sections outside of the spring hangers.

The bulkhead is a triangle in cross section, don't trust that the bottom is in good shape (it frequently is badly rotten) but the inner (slope bit behind the seat) and outer (vertical bit in front of the axle) are generally sound.
Will Munns

I support mine as Paul says, but make sure that the timber beam is long enough to support under the actual sill line on either side. It also needs to be fairly close to the front edge of the spring hanger whilst still leaving enough space to remove the hanger plates when changing the springs.

Guy
Guy Weller

i tend to put the axle stands under the axle ends where the U bolts are. means I don't have to lift the car as far

Rob
Rob Armstrong

which is no good if you want to remove the axle ;)
Will Munns

as Will pointed out, if your floor is rusted you'll want to be very careful about where you support the body. He describes how to locate on the strongest possible structure.

as Guy stated though, if your floor is not rusty, you can just run the timber all the way across, in front of the spring hangers like this (attached photo).

A solid body will be ok resting on just the flanges shown in this photo (rocker pinch flanges and the seat reinforcing "hat" sections).




Norm Kerr

Many thanks, I think my floor is fine but will make sure first thanks for the help.

Paul.
P Bromley

If the floor is rotted with rust, I wouldnt worry about the suspension and axle removal...just wait a few the rotted rust will eventually take care of the removal for you.

prop
Prop

Hi All,

Got it jacked thanks underfloor all fine and well protected but have found an issue for your further advice if poss. The front diff oil seal is leaking badly (mind you it has very well protected the underfloor !). The haynes manual makes the job sound very easy and does not mention bearing pre load, merely the correct torque figure after replacement, do I need to worry about pre load if I re torque as it says ? or do I need to make a much bigger job of it ?

Advice appreciated.

Thanks

Paul.
P Bromley

Hi Paul,
check this thread out (running concurrently with yours):

http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=97&source=T&thread=2010080220340117553



Norm
Norm Kerr

Thanks Norm,

Was hoping to get away with renewing the seal in situ and not making things too complicated but seems that this preload issue may make it more difficult than I thought !

Best wishes

Paul.


P Bromley

Paul,
Almost certainly not the approved method, and will make proper engineers cry. But on mine I marked where the nut was, undid it, yanked out the old seal. Pressed in the new and replaced the nut to the same position. I may have added a bit more turn "for good measure", as I often do.
I reckon that if it was right before I disturbed it, and I put it back to the same position, then what's to worry about?
Guy Weller

Thanks Guy,

I was trying not to make a mountain out of a molehill and start something that I may not have finished.

Best

Paul.
P Bromley

Actually, the "bit more turn for good measure" may not be a good idea - if indeed I did, I can't really remember. Extra turn would crush the spacer a bit more and increase the lash between pinion and crown wheel. ( or reduce any pre-load) Better just to do it up to exactly where it was before.

Guy
Guy Weller

This thread was discussed between 08/09/2010 and 11/09/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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