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MG MGA - Boot (trunk) release

For the past 20 years my boot lid has popped up so that I can lift it easily with my fingers after I pull the release handle. Lately, when released, it stays in position and I have to lift it with my finger nails. I have tried lubricating and adjusting the position of the catches but it still won't pop up until I've given it some help.
I'm thinking that the rubber seal is supposed to help it lift but it is now very hard and compressed. Any thoughts?
David
David Marklew

Correct Dave and some are better at it than others too. I'll leave that to others since I have not bought one in 30 years
gary starr

Have a look at a friend's boot that springs open and see how their boot rubber compares to yours - this will gove you a guide to whether you need to replace the rubber.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

You are correct, the rubber seal gives the spring to the bottled to assist opening.

I purchased one from B&G which was both the wrong density and profile so returned it (they may have changed suppliers since then)

Bob West supplies the correct seal.

There are debates about wether the seal should be glued in place or not.

I don't glue mine so that it can be easily removed to clean and dry the channel that it sits in.

Regards...John
John Bray

You can tell from this thread who do not have boot racks fitted! I was wondering about what all the fuss was about until I went out to my car to have a look at the mechanism and seals etc; then realised I always lift the lid with my boot rack.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve, i know what you mean. Try to open the boot by yourself with the spare tyre mounted on it is a little difficult. One arm reaching in pulling the cord attached to the boot releae rod and the other trying to lift the boot a little - not a pretty sight!
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

The boot rack method works for me.
Or preferably the beautiful assistant.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Steve I do have a rack,it still needs to "pop" so the latch does not recatch. You cannot pull the release and make it to the back of the car fast enough ;)
gary starr

Yes, been there Gary. Usually when, like Mike, I have the spare wheel or even the occasional armchair on the rack! I guess I still have some life left in my Bob West supplied seal.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Gary, I use my second arm - the one on the right - to lift the boot rack a little.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Nick my arms are not long enough,I have a coupe LOL
gary starr

Ha ha ha! I should have thought of that, Gary.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

You can just manage with the two handed approach, even with the top up, if you have a light rope attached to the release rod. (Then it takes a strong lad to lift the boot with a spare tyre attached)
Mike

Mike Ellsmore

The other option is to do away with the boot catch altogether!
Mike

Mike Ellsmore

Mike

Slightly off topic, but I think you have your rack round the wrong way. The long length of bar to the cross beam should be at the top. If it was the other way round, then with the wheel cradle bracket as shown, the wheel would be held considerably lower down, giving you better rear vision. Slightly heavier on the boot lock though and for lifting.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Gary,
Get a small piece of black half inch weather stripping and place it under your rubber stripping - it will give enough spring to clear the catch - replace as required
Bayard
Bayard DeNoie

Sorry - should have been directed to David
Bayard DeNoie

Steve, it is only an optical illusion because of the angle the photo was taken - rack is mounted correctly - see side view photo taken on the same day. It would need a decent coil spring to lift the weight of this boot now! (I have removed the normal rear view mirror and replaced it with a suction cap windscreen version (super glued on).
Mike

Mike Ellsmore

Mike

I stand corrected. Yes, optical illusion. Is that wheel holder to your own design or is it commercially available?

Steve
Steve Gyles

A young guy has developed them here in Melbourne. Barney has put the details on his site
http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/accessories/at102n.htm
You need to start off with the Moss ss rack and an old wire wheel hub plus a spinner to match - he machines and welds this to the rack.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Going back to David's original question I've made a drawing of the boot surround section including a section of the boot seal as supplied by Todd Clarke which he claims to be to original dimensions. The seal is exactly the same width as the channel (15mm) and the height is the same as the channel depth (11mm). So when the lid is closed the seal is squashed from 11 to 8mm.

When the catch is released the lid will be pushed open 3mm by the seal but this is not really enough to get your fingers in. However at this point the spring loaded boot catch takes over and opens the lid even further to about 3/8" enough to get a grip on.

Because of the change in angle of the catch it will only complement the seal force when the lid is partially open.

After I had fit TC's seal I felt, if anything the lid was just a touch proud when closed so it could be that the sponge is a little bit harder than it should be. I believe there are some seals which have a hollow section and perhaps these will be better but to be realistic the rubber compressibility is probably a difficult design compromise..................Mike

m.j. moore

Here we go!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGA-BOOT-LID-SEAL-AFH1753-/251891209403?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa5e2d4bb
Neil MG

During my first MGA ownership / restoration back in the mid 70s I managed to obtain a length of BMC original boot rubber (it cam wrapped in brown paper with the BMC rosette on and the part number. I recall saving the excess 5" or so. I still have it somewhere and will look it out if I can ever remember where it is stored. Recollection is that it is definitely rectangular in section , no hollow core, very squigy soft sponge rubber inner with a neoprene outer. Bear with me and I'll post dims, etc, when hopefully I find it.
Cheers

Mark
Mark Dollimore

Neil
Decided to buy the seal from 'Automobileelectrics' First impressions ok, right width, nice and squidgy, but, perhaps a little lacking in height to force the lid up on release to get your finger nails under to lift up.

Mark
Mark Dollimore

Thanks Neil
I ordered a new seal from Autoelectrics. It arrived next day. Its is hollow and quite squidgy. I removed to old seal (glued in) and tried to lay the new in the channel but it would not sit properly in the corners. Reluctant to glue it in without testing the pop up capability I lay the old one back loose without glueing and bingo - it worked. Doh! I should have tried that in the first place!
David
David Marklew

Found the new (old) section I had left over. Suffered somewhat due to age but hopefully image will give reasonable picture dims were 15mm x 8.5mm not sure how useful the info is.
Cheers
Mark

Mark Dollimore

This thread was discussed between 20/06/2015 and 27/06/2015

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