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MG MGB Technical - MGBGT 1977 RHD Engine Mount

Any quick and easy way to undo/do up nut on RH side engine mounting bracket - steering column passes through the bracket leaving no room for playing with nut and washer? I'm converting to Rover V8.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Peter M (member)
Peter M (member)

Peter,
We have the same issue here in the states with the LH side.

I usually pull the rack off by undoing the pinch bolt at the steering column, removing the rack mounting bolts and the four steering arm bolts that hold the steering arms to the kingpins / spindles. Access is then much improved. To make it easier I hold the nut in place and spin the mount, it goes a lot quicker that way. Check to make sure that the nut spins freely on the stud before installation. Finding it only goes on half-way before binding is much easier to deal with when the parts are out of the car. The final tightening is done once the mount is bolted to the engine. Then the rack goes back in.

Tom
Tom Sotomayor

Thanks Tom - thought so - bugger.
Peter M
Peter M

Peter,
It's really not bad to do. If the engine's out it takes about 10-15 minutes all told. Just make sure to put a witness mark on the rack pinion so it goes back into the u-joint in the same orientation.

Since the steering arms are removed with the tie rod ends in place, the front end alignment remains the same.

Tom
Tom Sotomayor

You can do the 'hold the nut and spin the mount' method with the rack undisturbed, by glueing/wedging the nut to a suitable spanner. After that it is just a matter of patience turning the spanner over for each half flat.

You shouldn't need a 'witness mark' for the rack UJ, on both my cars the rack shaft only has a notch and not a groove to the two can only be assembled one way, and that is the one to disconnect. The column shafts are fully grooved to allow any alignment of column shaft to UJ. However I have heard some say that both rack and column shafts are fully grooved, but not on mine.
Paul Hunt 2

Paul,
My patience must be wearing thin in my 'old age'. I've tried gluing the nut into the wrench without pulling the rack. I usually end up chasing the nut all over the shop floor when it gets dislodged!

On the LHD CB racks the shaft is grooved all the way around. On the LHD RB racks it has just the single scallop out of the side. I find that's the easiest way to tell the difference between them at a glance.

I still find it easier to have a witness mark so I don't have to redo it if my eyeball didn't get properly calibrated that day. ;o)

Tom
Tom Sotomayor

In my case there is not room to get the nut on the end of the bolt. The steering shaft prevents this. Once it is on, a few turns, then there is room. catch 22. Getting at the steering pinch bolt is also very difficult. My current technique is to do up the mount nut must of the way first, then I attach the mount to the engine bracket when lowering the motor. Finger tips and tiny spanner turns. Next time I intend trying a new approach.
I'll attach everything to the car (rubbermount and engine bracket). Then attach the bracket to the engine as it goes in. Those two big bolts should be much much easier to get on and off and the rubber mount should allow a little wriggle for aligning.
Peter

Mine are on the V8 so a bit more tricky than the 4-cylinder. There are also detachable plates between the rubber mounts and the block, which are handed but fit (after a fashion) either side. I discovered mine were on the wrong sides, and swapping them over with the engine in situ was a real challenge!
Paul Hunt 2

Thanks all for your advice.
Peter M
Peter M (member)

This method is by far the easiest

Cut through the rubber part of the motor mount with a hack saw. Lubeicate the saw with WD-40. Once the motor is out you will be able to get your wrench on the nuts and bolts.

Should replace the motor mounts anyway so there is nothing lost.
Jim Miller

How can cutting through 2" of rubber - twice! be easier than undoing a couple of nuts and bolts each side? And that is no help with putting the new ones in!
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 15/11/2007 and 23/11/2007

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