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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Siezed bonnet hinge

I was trying to remove my bonnet hinges and they appear to be siezed. I have got behind the dashboard and removed the nylloc type nut, that was a job in itself .! By pulling the hinges up and down I can see the bolt rotates in the captive bolt behind the nyloc nut but can't withdraw the bolt . Anybody have an idea what might be going on within the hinge itself ?
Mike Fairclough

hi mike the bolt should come out sounds like its rusted in try holding the bolt with with grips then rock the hinge to get some movment
RP Devine ROBBIE

I think your right Robbie, I'll try wd40 for a week in here, is the hinge bushed or threaded ?

Mike Fairclough

sorry for delay mike its bushed
RP Devine ROBBIE

It's bushed.

When it's a really badly siezed bonnet hinge it can result in the joint between the bulkhead and the top panel of the footwell opening up due to flexure.

If it can't be un-siezed it's a real pig to get out.

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

Thanks for the info , as they have had bonnet pins put through them they haven't been moved for about 30 years as the bonnet just lifted off . I have now got them moving up and down easily but that is with the bolt turning in the thread. Getting the bolt out I'll save for the weekend after a daily dose of wd40 , I'm not getting hopes up
Mike Fairclough

Don't use WD40! WD...Water displacement. This will sound weird but put some white vinegar in there. Inject it if you can and then some marvel mystery oil.

White vinegar acts like an acid on rust and eats it off. I would also think some well placed propane torch on the bolt head would wok well as long as you can reach in with out burning up the car.
S

I had to take my dash off and grind the head off the pivot bolt and then drive it out.
Jeremy Cogman

Yep...That would do it....

My Uncle Dan would say Brute force and ignorance will win the day...everytime!
S

Thanks for all the ideas, I have given up they are well and truly stuck I have decided that as the hinge now moves up and down via I'll leave it at that , is that bad? Ill save the grinding for that full rebuild ill never get round to
Mike Fairclough

Mike
I doubt they'd come out in situ. My original Frogeye shell had seized hinges and I had to cut out the hinge boxes from the hinge panel (which was being replaced) complete with hinges. It still took a lot of heat, Plusgas and force to get the bolts out (I wanted to keep the hinges).
Bill
W Bretherton

The only way to get them out is with an angle grinder using thin discs.

Make sure you have all your protection gear on because cutting with thin discs can be hazardous.

You need the dashboard out.

Use the angle grinder to cut a slot at both ends of the hinge box as close to the location of the hinge pivot as possible. Continue cutting until you are almost through the bolt and sleeve at both ends.

If you cut all the way through there is the possibility it will grab the disc.

Turning the bolt now should be enough to snap the weakened bolt and allow you to man handle it out.

Weld up the slits and use seam sealer to make it water tight. It's likely you'll need new hinges.

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

This thread was discussed between 12/06/2016 and 18/06/2016

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