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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fitting Frogeye indicator lenses

I have struggled getting the Frogeye round glass flasher/indicator lenses in. I can see how they slot into the inner rubber recess but the last of four is defeating me. I've tried various small screwdrivers and a bradawl but it refuses to go in and I've applied fairy liquid. This is for the first time and it may be that the rubber is being distorted by the metal lampholder which doesn't sit quite flat. Remedial work needed perhaps. What is the fitting tool of choice?
Bill Bretherton

I had the same problem when I rewired my Frog last year. What I ended up doing was taking everything apart and then putting the lens into the rubber and placing them into hot water for a while and when it cooled I put everything back together. It still took some persuading but they all went together easier. Sounds like a Mickey Mouse way of doing it but what I think happened was that letting it sit in the hot water relaxed the rubber enough to make is assemble easier.
Martin

I don't like using water, water causes rust and is wet. I use solar gain, black rubber sitting in black plastic oil-drain bowl or something with same effect, then the use of a silicone or other suitable lubricant (not washing-up liquid). I even bought a cheap 1400w hairdryer for when the sun isn't enough.
Nigel Atkins

Martin

Thanks, warming it may do the trick. It is a rather stupid Lucas design imv. The rear upper side/tail lights take two minutes to screw on as do the later Spridget light fittings I presume.

Nigel

I'm sure Martian dried it first! Silicon has its uses but there's the risk of getting it on paintwork as it's hard to remove and plays havoc with remedial paintwork.
Bill Bretherton

Nigel, neither rubber or glass rust. There is no problem in putting them in warm water.
GuyW

Nigel A.

Yes, I did make sure that they were dry. And I didn't use any lubricant since residue that I may not have wiped off would potentially collect grime.
Martin

Bill

How old are the rubbers? If they’re original, they may be hard. If they’re new, they may be poorly made.

I always used a small electrical screwdriver, to good effect. No heating nor lubricant.
Dave O'Neill 2

Bill

The trick I have used is to assemble the light unit to the car but do not tighten the screws. Fit the lens and chrome ring. This helps centre the rubber seal. remove the lens and ring and tighten the screws then fit the glass lens ring. The repro rubber can be a bit difficult. it is in fact thinner than the original and does not always sit snugly behind the lamp fitting.
Bob Beaumont

Dave/Bob

New repro rubber so that will be the issue I presume. The initial loose fitting sounds a good idea Bob - will try that. Just the last one giving trouble - always the case!
Bill Bretherton

My comments were more general, some rubber parts are not so easy to fully dry in time from wet because of their shape (unless you use a (h)air dryer, in which case why bother with the water).

Bill,
the silicone and paint is a bit exaggerated in my mind (like many things with these old cars) sure if it's fresh paint or going to be painted over shortly after but I've been using silicone for very many years and I'm a messy pup and it's never caused paint problems. Perhaps I should have put apply GT85 as it's with PTFE and can be applied to paint too (perhaps with the same provisos as silicone). GT85 is now a WD-40 company product so if you like that product GT85 is better. GT85 used to be British but Ronald, oil, Amazon & Coke-a-Cola rule the world, until the Chinese put a stop to them.

GT85 (I got two cans recently for £4) judging by this video Oggers probably knows of it - https://gt85.co.uk/engine-cleaner-spray/

Martin,
I didn't think you were offering up wet fittings and the silicone doesn't have to be grease or anything lathered on, you can wipe off excess whilst still keeping a enough to lubricate and not hold any significant amount of grit/crud/muck.

Dave,
you're braver than me using a screwdriver on, very potentially, modern made piss-poor rubbish rubber parts.
Nigel Atkins

Silicon won't damage existing paint but is a major problem if there is any trace of it at all when applying new paint. If you are ever likely to be repainting or repairing it is simply better not even to have it in the same workspace.

I tried the string method for getting the lip of rubber over the glass lens on one of mine. It did work, but was fiddly to do. The other three I fitted using a small electrical screwdriver. Not to lever the rubber up, which would damage the edge, but by inserting the screwdriver and then rotating it at a slight angle to roll the rubber up over the edge of the lens.
GuyW

Guy,
modern made rubber or older rubber, if modern made then Bill has two solutions, I'd still allow solar gain to help me as it's free and easy to use, when it's about in sufficient quantity, some areas of the country get more than others as the sun shines on the righteous.
Nigel Atkins

Nigel

I used on what I presume were the originals on my A35, albeit 35 years ago, and new rubbers on the Sprite, probably 20 years ago. The new rubbers may not have been the same in those days.
Dave O'Neill 2

Well it's fitted. As Bob suggested, I assembled it loose (with rubber heated) then tightened the screws and got it back in. Still a tight fit though, I think this particular light fitting aligns quite tightly against the body/ plinth.

Thanks for suggestions.
Bill Bretherton

Great stuff Bill. Glad its sorted. I have found the repro seals do vary in quality quite a bit (ho hum what's new!) and struggled like you until I tried the loose fit approach. The genuine Lucas seal is better moulded and fits better round the light fitting. I have since found some NOS Lucas items ( they have the part number moulded on them) and ditched the repro ones which had started to crack and perish anyway!
Bob Beaumont

Yeap well done Bill.

You'll probably need to remember the technique for the next lot or get originals if you can, as it sounds like it might be another case of modern made piss poor rubber rubbish.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 05/08/2021 and 06/08/2021

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