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MG MGA - REAR HUB NUT TOOL

would anyone have the "specialist tool" to tighten up the rear hub nut on my MGA ? preferable would someone be willing to loan or rent said tool ? my nearside rear hub been leaking for some time and the nuts probably never been tight enough (very easy to undo) have purchased a "speedi sleeve" to do the job but could really do without having to spend £25 + on the moss tool - cars a rolling resto ! many thanks
M Benoy

It is not so difficult to fabricate an octagonal spanner from 1/8 mild steel, using hacksaw, drill and file. About an hour's work. Make the handle about 12" long and tighten it with a 1 lb hammer. If you are careful you can get an exact fit.
Art Pearse

cheers Art
I think I can give that a go but can you or anyone else add any more info on making one ?- do you use the nut as a mould and fold the metal around it ?
cheers again Matt
M Benoy

Mark it out as best you can first using a scratch tool. Cut / drill/file undersize and gradually file it to final, offering it up to the nut frequently, until it fits. You cannot fold 1/8 MS. I actually made it in 2 parts of 2" wide stock, welded the two together. That way, I could use the hack saw for most of the waste.
Art Pearse

Matt, vernier calipers will help a lot. Keep filing wider until the cut out reaches the nut width.
Art Pearse

OK here is how I made mine
http://picasaweb.google.com/chrisvelardi/MGARebuild#5345535427677173554
it is a 50mm 6 sided socket with some slight machining. The thing to remember about this socket is it has to withstand 150 to 180 lbs of torque when re-tightening
Chris Velardi

A pic of my spanner

Art Pearse

Art and Chris

many thanks for your pics - I've manged to purchase a 50mm socket for a very reasonible price off good old e-bay - I'll look to modify this (hopfully the same as the imperial socket that chris did as its a 12 point metric - anybody tried a 50mm modified socket on the hub nut ?? - I've also got access to a bench drill so may well try my hand at making the spanner as per Arts

many thanks again
M Benoy

I used a 50 mm 6 sided socket for the perfect modified fit I'm not sure if a 12 point will work
Chris Velardi

cheers Chris

did you have to modify the 1 7/8 12 point socket ? - not sure of my metric to imperial conversion for the size comparison - some one has stated that they used a 48 mm 12 point - but had to hammer it on ! not sure I want to try that !
regards

Matt
M Benoy

Yes I had to modify the 1-7/8" 12 point socket also (the 50mm socket is a much better fit)
Chris Velardi

link added for my MGA (I think !)
M Benoy

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2009 and 09/07/2009

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