MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Sunroof Slides

I have just re-fitted the sunroof to Y1007 after it went underwater in the floods last year. The PO had fitted hard plastic slides for the sunroof, which made removal and re-fitting most difficult.

I have refitted the rear slides using thin leather soaked in candle wax, and the front slides I used felt also soaked in candle wax.

I have never seen a set of unrestored slides - they were all rotted away on the wrecks I had previously, so I dont know what material they were originally.

What does everyone else use as slide material & lubrication, and how often do you remove your sunroof to lubricate/check the slides ?.

One other interesting point - the plate on the sunroof is the same as the 1.25MG plate (566), not the chassis number (1007).

Thanks in anticipation for all your help.

Tony Slattery
A L SLATTERY

Hi Tony,
The sunroof slides are felt and as such don't really need any lubrication, unless of course they are sliding on a rough (rusted) surface where they will wear away. If you look at the image attached, you will note that the felt is folded around the metal leg and held in place with bifurcated rivets with the heads opposite ways. This means that if the felt gets thin, it will be the head that slided on the metal, not the split legs which may get stuck. I have several more images if you want me to email them to you(or anyone else if they need help)
Hope this helps.
Good luck

Keith D Herkes

Tony,

The book titled "Renewing the Headlining, on your Y Type" by Jack Murray sold on the MGCC Y Reg shop http://www.mgccyregister.com/node/32

Does cover information about complete sunroof. I would recommend this as reference source.

In respect of the BBS I often recall questions being asked that were covered in the past. Although the thread archives may be searched, would it not be good for restoration articles such as this to form an article on one of the Y websites?
Just an idea as for sure in future someone will be renewing/refitting their sunroof and it would make good article.

R
R E Knight

The sunroof the locking mechanism on my YB seized last year, necessitating its removal. I found the slide linings badly worn and relined them using some small pieces of carpet underfelt, fixed using impact adhesive. It has worked Ok since.

Mike
M Long

Tony Slattery - in your (reactivated) opening post, you said that "the plate on the sunroof is the same as the 1.25 MG plate ...". What sunroof plate are you referring to, and where located?
Thanks as ever ... John.
J P Hall

Hello John, I have taken a series of photos of the sunroof from YA3936.
Here is a close up of the body number plate that is riveted to the panel in the rear drain channel.

The number is the same as the first number on the body plate, in this case 2961/3052, while the chassis is 3936.

More to follow,
Tony


A L SLATTERY

Here is a photo with a tape measure showing the location. The tape measure was hooked over the edge - ignore the parallax view error.

One more to follow.

Tony

A L SLATTERY

And finally the view of the whole sunroof showing the plate location.

When the roof is installed, no one can see this plate, so if it's missing I would not bother replacing it.

However, you do need to fill the holes, as the channel along the back of the sunroof direct rainwater to the side channels - any holes and you will get wet inside.

Cheers & Happy times in the shed,

Tony

A L SLATTERY

Great info and advice, thanks Tony.That's clearly the plate I'm missing, as the holes match perfectly. So it's back to the welder for hole-plugging. Yours, John.
J P Hall

Hello John,
Just one last point to make about the sunroof slides.

At the side of the sunroof opening, you will see on both sides a raised steel platform. When the roof is slid back, the side timber strips in the roof panel slide over these platforms. It is important not to make these side strips too thick - about 3/8" is about as far as you should go.

To illustrate the point, I have attached a sandblasted roof panel, that shows the "shadow" of the side strips of timber - the screw holes are close to the edge (zoom in).

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Tony


A L SLATTERY

This thread was discussed between 28/01/2012 and 21/08/2018

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now