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MG Midget and Sprite General - Removing rubber bumpers

Can anyone help on removing the front rubber bumper on 1980 MG Midget?

C Jackson

oh no, what have you started

if you can work the mysteries of the Archive there'll be loads of info on this subject

or just wait for the debate
Nigel At

ah mate,we all have to start somewhere but do you realise what you could be starting here.. i asked a silly question once and got slaughtered. before you get them sort of answers just get on your knees and look down behind the bumper and you will see the nuts. please hurry before the flack.
gripper

Gripper said
"ah mate,we all have to start somewhere but do you realise what you could be starting here.. i asked a silly question once and got slaughtered. before you get them sort of answers just get on your knees and look down behind the bumper and you will see the nuts. please hurry before the flack."

Which makes sense

Then delve into the archives

there is LOTS AND LOTS of useful stuff in there
Bill 1

Thanks for the advice guys!

We have located the bolts but they are just spinning and not actually undoing.

I have searched the archives where there is lots of information on where the bolts are but as thats not the problem thought I would post and did actually think that someone may have some useful and helpful advice...guess not though

Thanks again for being so welcoming and helpful to a newbie!
C Jackson

Take no notice of them mate, I like people to use this BBS and it keeps everyone talking. If we simply used the archives no one would speak

Problem is I know nothing about rubber bumpers.
Bob Turbo Midget England

Welcome to the BBS!

It should just be a simple case of unbolting them, if your bolts are spinning then its likely that the studs have come loose. so you'll probably have to cut it off but access will be tricky. If you're not looking to keep the bumper for anything then just cut through it and you'll be good.
Not an easy one though, by the sound of it.

There have been various heated arguments over the years on here, hence the 'what have you started' comments. Not hugely useful comments though, I agree. Usually folk are really good though, so don't be put off!

Good luck,
-Craig
C Robertson

was only joking after the last episode on here. will have to start putting "HA HA" at the end. bearing in mind the first post did not explain that you had trouble undoing bolts, it looked like you did not know where they were.
bob.
gripper

And THAT Gripper is precisely WHY it's worth looking in the archives for well-trodden information - it will never take over from live topics, on all sorts of useful things, but, for things that are boring as lots of people have done them - why waste time and effort and the good nature of everyone by asking them time after time for the same information.

As regards the bumpers - it is NOT just a case of unbolting them and I'm sure that you will find all the information and HUNDREDS of photos that have been put up - all for everyone's use and information. As Bill said - it's there - why waste such a great resource - and let the live bbs discuss more interesting topics ... :)

As for the arguments - who gives a XXXX what you do with your car - so long as you do it properly and don't wreck it.
rachmacb

many apologies to C Jackson from me

my comments were meant to be humorous - except the one to look in the Archives – and I was thinking more of the debate over bumper conversions

C Jackson there’s no way of telling if you are a newbie unless you say so and you must admit your post was a little short on information

I don’t know the answer to your question, which is why I directed you to the Archives, but I’m sure now you’ve explained further a dialogue of information can be started
Nigel At

Apologies for my sarcasm and not leaving a very long post.

I am a newbie we bought a 1980 MG Midget 1500 at the weekend as a project for over the winter the engine and mechanics are great just the bodywork thats a shocker!

The rubber bumpers are however in excellent shape and we do want to keep them and put them back on the car. Just need to get the buggers off before we can get to the mountain of welding that needs doing!

Will take another trawl through the archives and see what that churns up we have managed to get the nuts off now it may just be 30 years of crud holding the bumpers on!

C Jackson

C (it's nice to know your name btw!), as you hadn't explained your question properly, then, to be honest, you can't blame people for assumptions!

Since you're trying to remove them for bodywork, then yes, you will have one of two opposing problems - and will do on just about every nut and bolt on the car - they will either be stuck and just spin, or they will be welded - either by weld or crud.

The quickest way to deal with either is to take an angle grinder to it, although this isn't the easiest on the front bumper. Should you need replacements of any part, just ask - most people will and do give as much help as possible - and bits and pieces from their garages.

Well done on restoring one of the later Midgets :)
rachmacb

Sorry my name is Claire, I'm the one doing the research while my boyfriend (Ste) is out doing the grubby bits!

I did type a really long introduction post but it didn't post so i just rewrote it quickly. (Not holding out much hope for the car since I can't even work the forum!)

A bit about the car is that it cost us £250 and the engine runs sweet as a nut, exhaust, shockers and mechanical parts are great but the body needs some serious welding which is fine for ste as he is good at the bodywork and not so experienced at the engine bit but hopefully the simplicity of a midget is a good one for him to tinker with.

Anyway back to the bumper the nuts and bolts are off its just not budging and my post was really just trying to find out if there was a knack to it or something we were missing but I think it will just require a lot more fettling!

Will keep you all posted on progress although I do think wherever you are in the uk you will hear me cheer when the bumper does finally come off!

Thanks again for all your help am now off to trawl the archives re: rust treatment and welding before I post anything else to annoy everyone!
C Jackson

Hi Claire there was a great post recently on rust treatment and painting as another newbie does painting! It won't be in the archives yet! Come to think of it he's in Yorkshire too. Have a quick look in the technical section
rachmacb

Hi Claire, welcome,

don’t worry too much about annoying anyone, if you’re not about anything or want advice there are plenty of people to help, I’m one of the least technical but I do have lots of experience of owning classics

if you want to you can alter your profile to include your first name and add a vehicle profile to save you having to remember to put both on future posts

if I remember (which isn’t often) I type my posts in Word.doc first that way I get some of the spelling better and if the post is lost, always a long one, then there’s still a copy to copy and paste from

you can suggest to Ste that he leaves things like those rusty nuts and bolts in soak for as long as possible in penetrating/releasing fluid such as Plus Gas (WD 40 is not that good at this)

if Ste’s not already got a can of each he’d do well to get the following

(thin) spray lubricant
light oil
silicone lubricant (for rubber, nylon, ect)
electric contact cleaner
anti-seize assembly compound (like Copper Ease)
electrical sealing/protecting products (go find)
all purpose grease (and gun)
cheap artist brushes - to apply Copper Ease, grease, ect.

I can suggest that if you buy a paper copy of the owners Handbook that you’ll then know a lot about operating the car and its servicing requirements – (Ref: 0058) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

The others here are totally bored with my advice to new owners but if you want it, it’s all non-technical, then just email me

nigel atkins (all one word) at bt internet (all one word) dot com (all lower case)

good luck to both of you

(copied from Word.doc)
Nigel At

Rach, if you EVER want to respray a car refrain from using silicones!!!!
Alex G Matla

Alex?????? I didn't suggest silicone! Confused.com is me:p
rachmacb

Hi Claire,

Welcome to the BBS and the friendly world of Spridgeteers! :-)

Removing the bumpers.

I understand you have now got the main bolts undone - should be 8 of those that attach the bumper to the front ends of the chassis rails. What you may have missed is that there should be two additional metal bar stays that go between the outer ends of the bumper and the sides of the inner wheel arch. Part #97 on this exploded drawing. You can get to them from under the front wings.

Guy



Guy

Another girl! :-o Thats four now! ha ha.

Welcome Claire (and your +1). I wish you luck. Buying a Midget for £250 is very brave! ;-)

Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

P.S. Rach, I would appreciate you not advertising confused.com. I am boycotting them as their website refuses to acknowledge that my surname 'Le Chevalier' is a real name! Pah!

Besides, those cartoon adverts are mildly disturbing. That girl needs a bra! ha ha

I much prefer meerkat related insurance comparison sites.

Cheers :-)
Malcolm

M Le Chevalier

Fantastic Malcolm, I'm VERY pleased that I'm not the only one to notice that strangely wobbly confused girl... Once it's noticed, you can't un-notice it :)

Welcome Claire! Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you? there's plenty of us about :) Come along to a meet if you can, the more the merrier!

http://yorkshiremasc.blogspot.com/
Rob Armstrong

Claire,
Photo of this £250 purchase required! I wonder if it is my old one! That's what I paid for it in 1989. Does it have overdrive?
Guy

Rob, it appears this thread about 'rubber bumpers' has taken on a whole new meaning!

I'll get my coat...

Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Well - it does have rubber in the title ...... :P

PS - you're WELL down on the girly count ;) There's me, Debs, Ally, now Claire, Rebecka, and several YOU don't know about coz you scare them off!!!!!!

As for the girl needing a bra - guess that changes my view of males of your age ..... hmmmmm where's Arie when you need him!!!!!!!

I am really narked coz I took out an extra insurance policy for a friend's car as mine are all on Classics, so I had a spare NCB, and NOW they are offering meerkats <sob> - my MGOC Meerkat is waiting his 4-point harness to come Autotesting with me :)

rachmacb

I counted yourself Rach, Ally, Debs and now Claire, I suspected I had missed a few and I apologies to those who I did miss.

Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Rach, what the h*ll is that kind of freaky monster on the photo?
Did they put a Pandbear head on a meerkat body?



..... hmmmmm where's Arie when you need him!!!!!!!


Im here, where is the trouble or do you want me to get trouble to start? :)
Arie de Best

LOL - THAT is the perfect co-driver - never moans/whinges/groans/takes up too much space in the tent and, most importantly of all - doesn't add any weight :)!!!!

You don't need any encouragement to join or start trouble but I do seem to remember a thread a very long time ago about your garage pictures - perhaps THAT is where Alex is getting the silicone idea from ...?!?!?!?!
rachmacb

Considering you were instructed to check the archives and not entertain a few comments and a welcoming chat a good number have posted. LOL

It is the kind of things you get used to here I am afraid but welcome and wind em up at every opportunity mixed with finding out everything there is to know about Spridgets!!
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Sorry Rach, got your post confused with Nigel's....
Alex G Matla

LOL Alex - I did guess, but at least it meant I could make the silicone joke!!!!

I've not got onto the respray yet ..... and won't for awhile I fear :(
rachmacb

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2011 and 02/09/2011

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