MG-Cars.info

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

Recommendations

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 MGA - Broken bolt of bonnet hinge to body

I have one of the bolts on the bonnet hinge broken whilst another on the other hinge is seized and turning with the nut. Any suggestions by anyone who encountered this problem is appreciated
c vassallo

Grind head off the screw to remove the hinge.

Thread repair is not quite so easy, but is possible. The female thread (#10-32-UNF) is in a square floating cage nut. Find the sheet metal cage on top of the body pocket way up behind the dash. You might have to remove the dash for access. With a little luck you should be able to pry open one side of the cage to replace the square nut.
Barney Gaylord

Here is a picture of the bottom side where the hinges attach. I see no way to access the caged nuts from either side. Looks like a nutsert might be the answer to repair this kind of damage. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ha/nut_znutsert.html

R J Brown

This picture shows my right hand small finger just able to touch one of the caged nuts. Even with a 1" diameter mirror I was unable to see it.

R J Brown

In fact I tried to see whether it is possible the way Barney suggested but there is no way that I can manage. As you also said I tried to see with a mirror but to no success. Anyway I have a hole in the water channel of the bonnet and can put a small bolt and nut or else I can cut on top and replace the cagenut and close again. Otherwise I can also tack weld the hinge.
Thanks Barney and RJ Brown
c vassallo

Okay, I've been getting creative. How about remove the cage nuts with chisel and install a tapping strip? See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/body/bd150.htm
Barney Gaylord

Oops, wrong link. Try this one: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/body/bd120.htm
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 07/03/2010 and 10/03/2010

MG MGA index

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