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MG MGF Technical - Side indicators rust

I have rust growing around the side indicator, I have tried removing the indicator however it seems to resist me, Is there a specific way to remove the side indicator without snapping it.
Nigel

push forwards (or backwards) one direction you will feel it spring slightly, the other will not, pressing against the spring hinge out the other side.
Will Munns

I've got the same problem on my P-reg vvc (85k miles).
Is it worth trying to fix it or should I start thinking about new wings?
Where else will it start to appear?
S Madden

I have a few small paint bubbles around the side indicators of my P Reg MGF, plus one or two scratches, scuffs etc elsewhere.

My local 'Chips Away' franchise have quoted me a very reasonable price to sort everything out - far cheaper than a normal body shop. Also, they can recoat the alloy wheels which are showing a few rust bubbles.

Does anyone have any experience of this process?

Keith Phillips

*bump*
Any one had experience of fettling this problem on an older F?
I assume it's caused by water getting in behind the indicator and sitting in the "hole" so does that mean that the metal inside the wing is rotten (and so sanding down and repainting may only be a temporary patch)? I'd like to get it fixed this summer so would be grateful for any advice from others with this problem.
And are there any preventitive measures (sealing the indicator somehow)we can take to stop it happening?
Steve Madden

Jeez Rust?

Not good!

I checked out the front end of my car during the recent radiator chancge and everything is on lovely unrusty order panelwise.

Neil

Yeeaks, rust ???
It shouldn't !!! ;)

Two items get in my mind.
On first hand don't worry to much if the indicator clamp breaks while you try undoing the part. I think I killed myself already three of them while quick car wash or whenever. They are prone to break.

Second regards to the foam sealing which should be located between indicator housing and wing sheet metal. May be it's missing at yours and this caused rubbing colour off and dreaded rust.

Anyway, wouldn't it be good to remove the whole wing and see for more of the unwanted stuff ?
Dieter K.

Blistering around the indicator cut out is quite common in cars of 5 years or more. The paint layer on the edge is quite thin and easily damaged when removing the indicator casing to replace bulbs etc. The bulb housing does trap water against the car body work which eventually penetrates the paintwork where it is damaged and causes rust to creep underneath forming blisters on the wing. You will probably find this is not covered under the 6 year anti perforation warranty, although some people have been known to negotiate a deal with Rover.

Removing the paint and primer down to bare metal is the best way to cure it, then fill imperfections, smooth, reprime, respray and coat the inside of the wing with waxoyl or the like. Finally apply a good coat of wax polish to the outside and replace the indicator. A large job for such a small amount of damage but the rust will eventually eat holes in the wing resulting in a new wing needing to be purchased.

Other areas to look for rust are under the front and rear bumpers (this requires removal of the bumpers to investigate). Inside the air intakes, remove grilles and plastic housing to inspect behind them where the screws go in. Around sill seams (centre of door footings) and on sill itself at rear where sill kicks out beneath air intakes(caused by stone chips)and around windscreen seams at top.

Also keep a track on stone chips to the bonnet using a touch up stick and watch for rust around washer jets which also trap water similar to indicator housing.

There should be nothing major but rust can soon spread if it is not kept in check and once in, it is notoriously difficult to get rid of.
Chris Catchpole

Cheers, Chris.
That sounds do-able.
I've just had a good luck right round the car and there are early signs on the sill and behind the intake grilles so looks like I'll be busy.

Mine's an Anthracite vvc Mk1 with the red leather interior and I actually prefer its looks to the later models so I want to keep it for a while yet - especially since I've had most of the common mechanical failures already!
Steve Madden

This thread was discussed between 01/06/2004 and 12/06/2004

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