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MG MGA - Front Bumper

I have discovered that the front bumper extension brackets on my 1600 roadster show an half an inch difference on their heights where the bumper is fitted. The frame is ok and measurements are within factory limits. Since I have the body off and down to the frame I think its mearly aligning the brackets. Q IS: What is the correct measurements. Thanks Clive..
c allen

Clive,
I don't know if there is a "correct" measurement. I think the bumper just needs to align with the body. I just aligned the fenders, then made sure I could get a nice even gap between the bumper and the body. There is lot of "adjustment" with the bumper brackets, bumper and extension studs. There may be a "nominal" demension....the folks at Eclectic Motor Works could probably give you guidence.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

The alignment can be corrected using that old British tool - the 5lb hammer. Failing that, use the modern metric equivalent - a 2.2727kgs hammer.
Seriously, the available movement in the bumper brackets at each end, and at the bracket to the frame mountings should allow for suitable adjustment. In my experience, this is a two person job, and can take some time to get it close.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

As an alternative to the 5lb hammer, I recall putting my faithful Shelley Jack under one of the brackets to 'ease' it into line.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Take a look at the front chassis extension. When the bumper is pushed down from an impact the front edge of the extension usually develops a wrinkle. Using a jack to lift the bumper doesn't pull out the wrinkle. It stretches the metal of the edge. That is OK if the car is fully assembled, but if the car is disassembled I think it is best to flatten the wrinkle. This might make the top flanged edge now slope up if it has been previousley jacked. If so make a vee cut where the wrinkle was and tap the top down into alignment and reweld along the vee cut. To get it right you might want to initially make a single cut and let the two halves overlap until you have the alignment. Then make the second cut and weld. At least this is what has worked for me on two cars.
John DeWolf

Yes, mine was fully assembled. It had been slightly out of line for several years. I tried everything to try to get the line right. Hindsight is wonderful. many things I would have done differently during the rebuild, but at the time and the knowledge I then had I was just very keen to get the car on the road. Now the next rebuild......

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thank you to all who responded to my Bumper Q. I guess the Birmingham Hammer should do the job...
c allen

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2009 and 17/01/2009

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