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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Any cunning plans?

I needed to remove the Sprite's bonnet yesterday. The manuals, less than helpfully, just say 'remove the bonnet' without giving any further guidance.

I was on my own and worried about it falling while I undid the final fasteners, so I scratched my head for a while.

I could have rigged a sling from a roof beam but wasn't confident that I could attach it to the bonnet securely.

In the end, with the front end propped on the bonnet stay and a securely lodged broom, I tucked several good thick car sponges under the rear edge. The last screws came out and the bonnet didn't move so I was able just to pick it up and lay it somewhere safe.

While this might not be the most cunning of cunning plans, I wondered whether other folk have 'off the wall' solutions for tackling solo tasks that would normally be done with help or in a fully equipped workshop?


Colin
C Mee

"good thick car sponges under the rear edge"

Colin, that is pretty well what I do, only I use a folded towel. And I dont use the bonnet stay for this as one needs to be able to remove the prop with one hand and I find an inverted broom, centrally placed at the front is more stable and easier to handle,

Maybe too late, but when your bonnet is well adjusted and aligned, drill a small pilot hole through the flange for each hinge, where it bolts to the bonnet and put in a stainless steel self tapper. Then when you have had the bonnet off and replaced it this self tapper position will fix the exact same fit of the bonnet before you nip up the 4 hinge mounting screws.

GuyW

I once rigged up a complicated system of tensioned wires and bits of wood and a scissor jack to tighten the alternator belt on the K. What a nightmare. Usually needs 2 people and a 4 post lift or a pit...
Rob Armstrong

As it takes two or three to remove a steel Frogeye bonnet I made a crane that will go in under the raised bonnet and lift the engine sufficieltly to remove. It has earned its keep over the years on mine and ofhers Frogeyes.
The picture is of a friend using it on his car.

Alan Anstead

Yes, same here. Several towels under the rear edge to remove and fit the bonnet. I rarely have help when working on my car and can manage all the jobs on my own.
Chris Madge

I always remove the hinge pins from under the dashboard rather than remove the hinge-bonnet fasteners. That way you don't lose the alignment, and with the frogeye you only need 2 people to briefly lift / refit the assembly.

Grind tapers on the hinge bolts so that they can be tapped back in to place easily.
Simon Wood

Yes I used to remove the hinge pins on the frogeye bonnet but found a hoist that would fit under the bonnet similar to Alan's. I gave myself extra bonnet height by releasing the bonnet props so the bonnet could be raised . I support it on sections of 2x4 timber. Need to remove the wipers to avoid fouling them.
Bob Beaumont

Two bungees at the rear edge, tensioned to let the bonnet just float gracefully up a few inches as the bolts are undone. At the front,a rope going up and a little forward.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Elegant !
GuyW

I have a nice little dink in the top of my nearside wing courtesy of my decision to use the bonnet stay as my "helper". It sprang the bonnet forward upon release of the final screw and the bonnet catch left its mark! I've left it unrepaired to remind me not to be "a silly billy" in the future. Luckily it didn't break the paint.
Geoff Mears

This thread was discussed between 19/11/2019 and 22/11/2019

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