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 MGB Technical - 67 seat frame captive nut

On the bottom of my seat back frame in the center (see photo) is a bracket with a captive nut.

What is its purpose?



Steven Rechter

There is a bolt that fits there to adjust the seat back angle. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Actually, there was a J shaped restraining bracket fitted to keep the seatback from flopping forward. Since it made it impossible to tilt it forward, they were commonly put on backwards, but also frequently thrown away.

FRM
FR Millmore

Apparently a quick solution to a safety regulation without thought of quick access to the battery or backseat in a GT.

Was an improved aftermarket spring release type solution ever sold?
Steven Rechter

Never saw one; later cars had a spring loaded latch with a handle, but that was different seats.
In our area, the dealers turned the brackets around backwards before delivery. Never had a problem with seats flopping forward, unless you really stomped on the brakes; you could also shim up the pivots bolts to a nice degree of drag, which solved the "problem".
I have heard that in some jurisdictions the restraint was required.

FRM
FR Millmore

My 65 has that captive nut on the seatback. From what I find in my factory manual it is for a crude seat retainer as FRM describes.

I also have a captive nut at the bottom of the back frame for seat rake adjusting bolts. I used these to fix the angle I wanted.

Bob

Robert McCoy

Thanks for the replies.

Bob, maybe you already know this but there are two captive nuts/bolts on each seat back to adjust the angle.
Steven Rechter

Steven
Here is a picture showing my brackets - installed backwards at present
You can see the adjustment screws also.
John

John Minchin

And another.

You can also see the original rubber mats on the floor, although they're in need of a clean!

Dave O'Neill2

The factory referred to them as seat squabs. When I purchased my '67, back in '72, they were on the seats, but mounted backwards. RAY
rjm RAY

Looks like Dave has the "newer" adjustable version.
Steven Rechter

Around here they came reversed from what Dave shows, with the hook facing out, so it didn't eat the upholstery.
Never saw the non slotted version John shows. The slot allows you to adjust them tight; otherwise you get a very annoying rattle if in place but loose.

Ray - "Squab" is the bottom of the seat, which you sit on.

FRM
FR Millmore

Isn't the squab the upright bit and the cushion the bit that you sit on?
Dave O'Neill2

Well Dave, you has drove me to books!
The term is correctly used for the bottom bit:
If you look up "squab" Wiki refers you to this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushion

But MG seems to be 90 deg out of phase, as the Magnette parts book shows the back as "squab", and the bottom as "cushion". And I think other cars use the same terminology, so it must be lost in the realm of British carriage builders.

FRM
FR Millmore

Ah, that would explain it ;o)
Dave O'Neill2

FRM
My bracket does have a slot - it is just installed in the uppermost position so you can't see it

John
John Minchin

This thread was discussed between 09/05/2012 and 11/05/2012

MG MGB Technical index

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