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MG MGB Technical - BGT doors

I am helping to replace both doors on a 1975 bgt. The top hinges (only) on both side have a lot of up and down play. The bottom hinges seem fine. Is this normal or are the hinges worn?


Rod
R E Merrall

The top hinges are worn. The one on my driver's door is the same. I have to lift it slightly to make it shut nicely. New hinges are pricey and fitting them is a pain, so I just live with it.
Mike Howlett

It would be possible to remove the hinge pin and shim to remove the play.
Allan Reeling

If it's the pin that has reduced in thickness, or enlarged to holes in the A-post part, which is what I'd expect, then shimming won't help.

The up-and-down position of the trailing edge of the door is adjusted by slackening the three screws for each hinge in the door carcass. If you push the door in at the top hinge it should correct pin/hole wear, even though if you choose to lift the door you will still have slop - just don't do it :o)
paulh4

Thanks for that.
R E Merrall

not quite understanding yr last comment
"don't do it"

i see that if adjusted, one could still lift the door due to play in the pin/hnge, but if it's aligned correctly with the aperture (under it's own weight) i can't immediately see why 'not to do it'.

Is it that when you try to close it will just move upwards instead of engaging with the striker...or something like that?

G
Graham Moore

'Don't do it' in the same vein as going to the docs and saying "Doctor doctor, it hurts when I do this". "Well don't do it then". I.e. if you have play there, don't keep lifting the door to see.
paulh4

My understanding was "up and down" within the hinge halves, not the door.
"Up and down" of the trailing edge of the door would indicate hinge pin wear, which again can be reduced or removed by removing the pin, reaming the hinge and using a larger pin diameter.
Allan Reeling

Not sure how one would see up and down play just at the top hinge, when the bottom hinge doesn't ... unless the door has been removed. Even then if one hinge is taking all the load from how they were positioned on the A-post, as it wears the other will take more of the load. Yes reaming the pin hole and using a larger pin will cure the other type of wear, but it's a lot of effort to go to, and will affect the paint on the A-post. Fine if you are removing it anyway for other reasons, but I suggest not worth it otherwise as it can be compensated for very easily elsewhere.
paulh4

ok, thanks. i want to gave a got a mine. now i have installed new door seals (which when door is shut seem to do a good job) - i do have to give it a good firm slam to shut it and it sounds dreadful when i "miss".

seems it's a bit like a sports swing - golf, tennis, cricket..... if you just give it a sharp push (or pull from inside), it bounces back 1/2 open (ie crap outcome) - but 'follow thro' and it shuts.

never realised there was so much technique to shutting a door.

G
Graham Moore

Hi All:
A friend of mine removes the hinge pin, drills the holes in the hinges with a one size larger drill bit and then cuts the shank off the bit and welds a small dome on the top of the shank. A little cleanup with a Delta belt sander and . . . Voila a repaired hinge.
Jc
John Crawley

This thread was discussed between 05/03/2017 and 09/04/2017

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