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MG MGA - Rear splash plates

I have to fabricate new splash plates for the forward rear positions (ahead of the rear wheels) I have enough remains of one to make templates, however I am not sure of the fixings at the bottom, as I have had to rebuild the curved flange at the rear of the inner sills and the curved flanges on the fenders. It looks like there were two screws attaching the splash plate to the inner sill flange but I don't know if it screwed to the fender at all or if the seal covers the gap. Any help would be appreciated. I intend to buy the seals before cutting the panels.
Art Pearse

Art, You are correct - two screws to the sill and none to the fender. Yes the seal is intended to fit to the fender all the way down although on my car the shape is not as good as I would wish at the bottom - even though all parts are original. Plenty of waxoyl in and around helps the seal - works for me anyway.
Tony Mitchell

Here is photo of splash panel in place with guard off

B WALKER

another

B WALKER

Art, This picture may help............Mike

m.j. moore

OK, thanks all!
Art
Art Pearse

I notice that there is an unsealed gap, above the top retaining bolt, next to the body panel, about 1/4" x 3". Should that be sealed as well ?
And can I use pop rivets for the seal to plate?
Art Pearse

On the picture I posted you can just about see where the flange is stepped towards the body to close this gap. The next picture of a pair of panels from a different supplier shows this more clearly. From the labels it looks as if they may be Moss panels.

In thinking about preventing the mud from getting into that compartment I've only just thought that there will be more chance of water getting past the seal when driving in rain and I don't have any drainage holes. There must have been at least two or three and I'm guessing they will be coincident with the wing dog leg flange drilled through the press-out panel? ................................Mike

m.j. moore

Thanks Mike. Looks like there are variations on the types of plates. This one has captive nuts and the offset. My remains don't.
Art
Art Pearse

Art, I would be concerned that pop rivets would compress the rubber seal too much, unless there are rivets that hold a specified space between the head and the compressed end.
Ed Bell

Good point Ed. Thanks
Art Pearse

I have just had a look at mine. I used pop rivets to hold the rubber seal, but I placed a large washer under each rivet head to spread the load. Although the rubber was slightly flattened at each fixing, it was not distorted in any significant way; it was not cut either and is still fine after 14 years.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Mike

I don't think there were any drainage holes for water. That's partly why that corner of the wing and sill was always a rust heap on many cars.

The tapered relief on the flange in the central section I think is intended to ensure the flange clears the lower gusset from the B pillar. On mine the gusset interfered with the flange by the lower bolt hole so I had to alter the flange.

Also on one side the panel was a poor fit to the wing so with the rubber on there was a finger width gap to the wing in places. That was too big to seal so I plan to put some ABS sheet behind the panel. Unfortunately I only noticed this after I had got everything to fit and then painted the panels!

John

John Francis

I've just today finished one of the rear front splash panels and I decided to put the fixing flange facing forwards and hidden from view thinking that the fixing nuts would be protected from the spray. I might live to regret this because the bottom screw access is not brilliant.

However of more concern is that even with the panel in position there is still no protection for the body bracket region and the frame bracket. Both these areas were originally badly rusted on the car so much so that a patch panel had to be inserted in the frame and I've had to replace the press out panels. It seems that the bottom front of the inner wing is not extending far enough downwards............Mike
m.j. moore

These panels were left off my car when I restored it, and they are still sitting in a drawer in the garage today. I have no rust at all in that area - it gets plenty of air and I pressure wash under the car twice a year so no mud gets to stay around to cause problems.

If you are not fussed about the appearance, just leave them off
dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 16/05/2011 and 17/05/2011

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