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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Windscreen.

How difficult is it to remove the windscreen? I have read the book and it sounds straight forward, but these things never are, or are they? Any tips?

I need to replace the rubber seal at the base as it is leaking.
Also is it possible to change the angle a bit as my quarter lights seem to be too close at the top and are distorted when the door is closed. Or do I adjust the quarter lights in the door?
J Mee

do you mean the frame from the car or the car from the frame?

presuming you mean the frame from the car
removing is easy refitting especialy with a new rubber at the botom
no real tech problems just the reluctance of the rubber

the screen has to be adjusted to the quarterlights
the quarterligts have to be adjusted to let the window move freely

just a case of undoing the 4 bolts pushing the screen to the desired angle and tightening the bolts
Onno Könemann

Stowable top or drop top? On the latter, it can be challenging to get enough compression on the rubber gasket to allow the mounting holes to line up. I have seen it done using two or three loops of gaffer tape setup so that the part under the gasket was doubled so there was no "sticky side". Use these to roll the lips of the gasket back and hold them there. Once the mounting bolts have been started, cut the tape near the gasket and pull them out.
David "never done the early ones... yet" Lieb
David Lieb

David
the correct question is
side curtains or windup windows
that is when the switch between the bolt down or bolt through side.
Onno Könemann

It's wind up windows. That sounds encouraging. Do I need to remove the dash and steering column as the book states?
The nuts in the top of the door jam seem to need a spanner on the bolts inside, can these be got at without removing something?
J Mee

John,
Removing the dashboard is a pain and not necessary for windscreen removal. But the job is easier if you undo the small L- shaped bracket at the 2 lower outer corners of the dash. This then allows the dash to be pulled forwards just enough at the bottom so that you can get at the screen fixing bolts - 2 either side. Don't forget to undo the two set screws that hold the base of the centre rod to the scuttle. And make sure that you keep a note of any shims where the screen "legs" at either side are fitted. These need to go back as before or you risk cracking the screen.

Getting the screen refitted with the new rubber seal underneath it can be something of a challenge. It is difficult to get the screen and seal pressed hard enough down onto the scuttle to get the bolts back in either side. The trick is to use something like a posidrive screwdriver to leaver through one hole until you can get the thread of the first bolt started in the empty hole. Then the same the other side (not forgetting the shims!) Then put in the second pair of bolts. Then adjust the windscreen angle before tightening - there is a bit of slotting to allow it to be matched to the quarter-light angles.

Guy

PS does anyone know if the usual windscreen suspects are capable of fitting a new glass into a frame whilst it is off the car? I fancy having a fresh piece of glass that I can see through on wet nights next winter!
Guy Weller

nop no need
but losening the dash and pulling it slightly forward makes life easyer

the top bolt should screw in the frame and the botom one has a nut on it
the bolt heads can be reached with a socket set angles and extentionbars
and don't forget the 2 little bolts in the midle
Onno Könemann

John
- as already stated refitting can be really awkward due to (new) seal my mate gave up and put old seal back - I paid B&G to do and they said it was no problem

(refurbed windscreen surround, bought from elsewhere, with new glass did leak tho')

I think quarterlights adjust from inside the door as they're held by nuts, old bodyshop may have just pulled on them in situ

Guy
- the last I remember the big windscreen places didn't want to touch our sorts of screen but that might have changed now, ring a few and get the concencus but remind them its a 40 year old car in case they're think of the more recent MGFs

Nigel Atkins

The windscreen frame is adjusted fore and aft to give the correct clearance to the quarterlight frames.

The quarterlights are also adjustabe side to side to align with the windscreen in the other plain.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks Nigel, about the screen.
My local screen replacement company said they could do it. They said that they would "tap the screen with a hammer" and then it would be done "on the insurance". This sounded OK until they came to look at the car and seemed to be totally confused by the method of fitting! But that was awhile ago now.

I did consider doing it myself but wondered if there is a danger of the screen surround "lozenging" out of shape when it is not attached to the car scuttle. The windscreen glass is only £50 but suppliers don't seem to be prepared to deliver which makes life difficult in the far north!
Guy Weller

I Have just done this job yesterday, replaced the whole windscreen
frame complete from a scrap midget to my Mk 2 Arkley midget
it was one hell of a job and took me 6 hours. dont do it unless
really required. I took the speedo out to get hand into undo
off/side bolts.and had to release all top dash bolts and bottom corners to ease nearside dash forward to get at bolts,these are the hardest to get to, my big hands wont fit.
Then had to put a ratchet strap on to base of windscreen frame
and hooked under sill flange and pull it down really hard to get the bolts back in, top one is threaded in frame, bottom just nut and bolt, waiting for rain now to see if it leaks, good thing about it all
my doors have never shut better.
Good luck mike
M HEARN

Removing the screen is easy, the hard bit is putting it back as many have said above.
I have a page on replacement on my website:
http://www.mgparts.co.nz/fitting%20a%20windscreen.html
and also http://www.mgparts.co.nz/windscreen_seals.html
Paul Walbran

Paul, I can't get your windscreen fitting link to work.

I have read threads and talked to people - some say it is a nightmare some say it was no bother.

It's got to be done as my seal is perished and lost the front edge, so is trying to curl under and leaks badly.
I watched an MG is born on Youtube and they had three blokes, I think, pressing down on theirs and made it look relatively simple - but they would wouldn't they?
I will have to borrow my next door neighbour, he's built like a brick outhouse!
J Mee

Interesting, gremlin there somewhere.
Go to www.mgparts.co.nz
Then select technical notes menu
Then General

It can indeed be a nightmare, and yes, hulky helpers make a lot of difference! The most nerve wracking bit is assembling the rame round the glass if a new glazing seal is fitted, as the rubber needs quite a bit of compression. (The old rubber will be easy to refit, but will almost certainly leak after being disturbed.)
Paul Walbran

To use the first of the 2 links you need to copy and paste it into your browser for it to work (notice the 20% these stop the operation by clicking

The second link will work normally. :)
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo


John -

My dad and I managed it between us. Him pressing down with all his weight on the screen, I got a long screwdriver into the top bolt holes, and then used that as a lever to pull the frame down into line and dad legged it round the side to get the bolt in on the other hole.
I'd not re-fitted the dash when we did it so can't comment on how much harder having the dash in would have made it, but I think with our method it wouldn't have made much difference.

It was a lot of heaving for two people, can't imagine how I would have tackled it on my own - Mike's idea of ratchet straps sounds a good one. The seal fitted very well and doesn't leak (not from the seal, anyway, the pedal box is a different story!)
MarkH1

I have done this job on my own - and now as I have removed the screen I am going to have to do it again! I do remember it was a struggle! But also believe that there is a "knack" to it as is so often the case.
Because of the combination of the rake of the screen and the curvature of the scuttle, if you tilt the screen backwards slightly at first it reduces the pressure on the screen base seal. But not too much or it will be impossible to line up the first bolts. I think it is easier to use the lower bolt holes to lever down on whilst getting the top threaded bolt started. Then tilt the screen forwards to increase the compression of the seal. Make sure that the lip at the leading edge of the seal doesn't get folded under, and then fit the lower bolts into the unthreaded holes.

I am not sure if this is a good idea or not but I ran a bead of silicon along the seal underside. It has never leaked between scuttle and screen - most other places, but never there!

Guy
Guy Weller

Refitting the windscreen was the worst and most frustrating job I ever did on my Midget. I copied an idea from someone on this BB and created a tool with a right-angled, pointed end to engage with the unthreaded lower hole and pulled the screen down with that until I could engage the threaded upper bolt. After a lot of swearing and tears (and shredded hands from all the sharp things under the dash) I managed it but only with two other people to press down on the screen. I would think twice before doing it again!
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

Well the windscreen is out, had to drop the dash, which meant dropping the steering column. I couldn't see any other way to get to the bolts that would allow reasonable access when replacing it.
I have just located the seal into the windscreen base - that was a pig in itself and have stopped for a cup of tea!
Whist I was under the dash I have managed to tighten the tonneau fixings that were wobbling about and I will replace the wiper seals that have worn away.

I haven't sworn yet!
J Mee

I put my windscreen back on yesterday. It took me about an hour all in, working on my own.

The method was to use a mini ratchet strap to pull it down tight whilst I put the bolts in. Strap around top door hinge and top of the screen pulled it at just about the right angle.

Pictures explain better, but sorry for quality , taken with an ageing mobile phone.

Guy




Guy Weller

My problem was, and is, that my windscreen went on too easily. I put it in place, located the nuts and bolts and tightened it up whilst aligning it with the doors - job done! There was no pulling it down, therefore the screen does not press the seal to the car. The middle is OK but both ends don't press the front edge of the seal down, so it curls back on itself and looks awful.

The only thing I can think of is that the curve of the windscreen is wrong and doesn't fit the curve of the body.Odd shaped glass maybe?!!

I am going to have to leave it for the foreseeable future and maybe push the seal edge out (I have used a credit card)and seal it with silicone to stop it curling back.

The more I investigate this car the more I find that has been done poorly or bodged. I wish I had not been taken in by it's shiny paint. Although, there is no rust - yet! Cornwall will soon see to that.
J Mee

An odd problem! It sounds as if your scuttle top might be the wrong shape!

Mine needed pressing down really hard. The ratchet straps were very tight but worked well. I would have struggled on my own without them.
Guy Weller

The first time I attempted replaceing the glass it took about a week of frustrated evenings. Probably could do it in an hour if having to do it again. My tips.

Clean the frames to remove all traces of putty etc so that they are scrupulously clean.
Get the alloy frames as hot as possible by soaking them in a very hot bath of water.
Buy a large tube of KY Jelly
Lubricate the rubber channels of the frame with the jelly.

With a fair ammount of effort and working quickly the whole assembly can be pulled together. Managed to do this without resorting to the rope and lever method.

Just one comment the original windscreen seal had moulded edge so that the lower corners could be positively located. The replacement one is an extruded section glued together. Don't be afraid of cutting and regluing it to take up the slack.
P J Guest

This thread was discussed between 02/07/2010 and 23/08/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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