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MG MGA - Rear cockpit rail and sidescreen bag

Hi Chaps,
A cautionary tale. I was getting fed up with the sidescreen bag which dangles down from the rear cockpit rail. Despite being too long to fit properly to the 'Lift The Dot' fasteners at the side of the cockpit, the bag is too small for the sidescreens to fit in properly, and because it fouls the inertia reel seat belts, I decided to take it off. Simple task - undo 5 small nuts and remove the rail - except that 4 would undo, the fifth just turned round. After days of head scratching and various attempts, I finally removed the last one by inserting a thin screwdriver blade under the washer to jam the captive bolt. When the rail came off, I discovered the captive fitment consists of a folded metal 'trench' into which the bolt head sits, and a separate flat metal cover which screws over the 'captive' bolt. When the nut is overtightened, as mine was, there is enough space between the rail and the cockpit edge (caused by the fitting of the leather trim) for the cover plate to bend away from the trench, and create enough space for the nut to turn freely. I have addressed this by fitting a washer between the bolt head and the cover plate, and another between the cover and the cockpit edge (to sit between the bits of trim) before offering the rail up to the cockpit. And not overtightening! I would recommend that anyone refitting the rail do the same.
Incidentally. I shortened and refitted the bag so it fits better, because it forms a useful cover for the hood when retracted, but I have ensured that I can fold the sides back when driving, so as not to foul the seatbelts, but can still unfold and fasten the sides when the car is parked. But I didn't staple the bag in place, so I can easily remove it in the future should I so wish. Does anyone else have issues with the sidescreen bag, or is it just me? Cheers, AB
A Bennett

I do not have a hood fitted and find that the side screen bag (yes, not ideal for screens) nicely covers two pop up chairs that sit quite nicely in the freed up space.

regards
Colin
Colin Manley

AB
I still have the sidescreen bag fitted but I find that if I actually drive with the sidescreens in it, I cant then get comfortable in the car as it moves me too near to the steering wheel.
So I always travel with the sidescreens in the boot, slipped inside a couple of pillow cases to stop them from getting scratched.

So I now use the bag to store waterproofs and maps etc. It also acts as a kind of cupboard door to keep any items stored on the battery cover panel from falling out and also out of sight.

Colyn
c firth

Somewhat similarly to Colyn I keep them in the boot but in a sandwich between 3 suitably shaped pieces of hardboard with 2 bungies around the bundle. May be a bit over the top but means they can't get scratched when moved about in or out of the boot.

For the first time this summer I have never used the hood or sidescreens despite quite high mileage and much rain. The MGCC Scottish MGA day was quite interesting dodging between heavy showers.

Paul
Paul Dean

There are actually two different versions of the side curtain bag and they are different sizes. I think that the change came with the 1600 which had the "new" style of side curtains. When we were doing my restoration years ago we borrowed an intact bag to use for a pattern to make one for my MKII which was missing this item. Turned out that it was a 1500 style and didn't fit the curtains at all. A possibility?
Keith Lowman

This thread was discussed between 04/11/2015 and 09/11/2015

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