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MG MGA - Bushing installation in heater motor can

I am in the process of rebuilding my heater motor. I am following Barney's instructions, but I came upon something that I do not see covered. One of the bronze barrel bearings in one end of the can was completely loose in the can. the star spring retainer looks intact, and the circular retainer that holds the star spring is intact. In fact, that is my quandry. How do I remove the retainers to put the barrel shaped bearing back in place behind the retainer?
rpb bunch

I spent two days fighting with that ^&%^(&* stupid thing, but I can't really remember what my exact solution was. I had to somehow hold the retainers open while I put the bushing back, but they weren't loose or anything. I never actually intended to remove the bushing, but it ended up coming out when I took the motor apart. I'm pleased with how it turned out, but I don't know that I'd want to ever take one apart again.
Del Rawlins

Yes...this is exactly where things stand with mine. I have attempted a couple of ways to open up the six spring tabs while trying to insert the bushing through the center. So far it's bushing 3, MGA owner nil.

The spring retainer looks to be held by 4 staked tabs around the perimeter. They won't budge either.

I know someone out there has an 'AH-HAH' solution. Who wants to come forward?
rpb bunch

One thing I did that helped, was I found a piece of brass rod the same diameter as the shaft, and I cut a groove into it for a snap ring at one end, with just enough space between the ring and the end of the rod to hold the bushing. That made it much easier to handle the bushing while I was trying to get it back into place.
Del Rawlins

Okay...crisis is over...

Final score Bushing 5, MGA owner 1...but I only needed to score once to win!

I decided to pry open the stakes holding the spring retainer, then I pried out the star spring retainer. From there I could remove the star spring, put the bushing in it's proper place, and reinstall the star spring and the spring retainer. the spring retainer ended up a little deformed, but I re-formed it as best as I could once it was pressed back into place.

From my battle with this, this is the only way that I could see getting it back togather.
rpb bunch

Did the same thing with the heater motor for my E-Type. Spent a few days trying to pry the B#$$er about to get the bush in but it seems to be a bit like a crab pot. Prying back the tabs and removing the retainer is the only way I think.

Neil
Neil Purves

Hi and happy season

I got the bearing out, where I can get newone? Is there part number? place to shop? any information appreciated.

Martin
m zazvorka

This thread was discussed between 24/10/2010 and 13/11/2010

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