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 - 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

MG MGA index

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