Bit of bad luck

Getting the replacement tomorrow. I've got half hour after work before I have to be somewhere and I think I can get the front of car into factory doors if its wet.
Ive got to replace offside hinge as well .....
Question. The back bolt of the hinge bracket is located under the edge of the scuttle panel. Does anyone know how long the bolt is? If I stick an open ended spanner on it will it clear the scuttle panel or will I need to remove/lift up the panel to withdraw the bolt? As Im short of time Im hoping the answer is that it will clear, otherwise Ill leave until later in the week when I have more time.

Not one I've come across before.

Removing the scuttle panel is not a big job. You just need to remove the external wiper arms using a 10mm socket, then after removing the screw head covers with a small flat blade, remove the five screws using a cross head screwdriver.
There are a couple of press studs which you need to remove from under the rubber seal then the panel can be lifted off the car. You do need to guide the panel away from the hinges because there are rubber hook like bits on the panel.

Sounds worse than it is to do.

Hope that helps :dry:

Cheers PQD. Think I'll try the bolt in question first and if it doesn't clear leave it for another night when I'm not pushed for time.. Can't afford to be late tomorrow night or else!!!!!!!!!!!

rog1963 wrote: Cheers PQD. Think I'll try the bolt in question first and if it doesn't clear leave it for another night when I'm not pushed for time.. Can't afford to be late tomorrow night or else!!!!!!!!!!!

If you do have to remove the scuttle panel, watch those screw head covers, they shoot off in all directions otherwise. :yesnod:

rog1963 wrote: Getting the replacement tomorrow. I've got half hour after work before I have to be somewhere and I think I can get the front of car into factory doors if its wet.
Ive got to replace offside hinge as well .....
Question. The back bolt of the hinge bracket is located under the edge of the scuttle panel. Does anyone know how long the bolt is? If I stick an open ended spanner on it will it clear the scuttle panel or will I need to remove/lift up the panel to withdraw the bolt? As Im short of time Im hoping the answer is that it will clear, otherwise Ill leave until later in the week when I have more time.

Had a look at mine earlier and i think you will have to remove the scuttle trim first (and take heed of David's comments about the screw covers!! they have a mind of their own and come out faster than the speed of light :rant: never to be seen again!!!!) i would use a good ring spanner or a socket on the bolts, maybe tightening them first to break the paint seal. i would guess that they are about 20mm long under the head. they look the sama as the ones holding the bonnet onto the hinges. You will have to adjust the bonnet for "fit" on the back hinge fixings. It is covered in the workshop manual (you have downloaded a copy haven't you????) bit fiddly, but you have got to get a good fit. :thumbsup:

Job's a good un

Managed to get away with just raising one side to create enough room. As you suggested Bryan, a few minor fiddles to get the bonnet to sit straight.
Only gripe is that it has about half a dozen rusted stone chips ... but I suppose you can't grumble for £80
.....and you can see where the broken bracket chipped a bit of paint off the inner lip of the wing!

Looks good, get a touch up pencil and de-rust those chips and touch them in, if you leave them it will spread. you can also touch in that damage on the wing edge. Please dont go to Halfords for you touch up, get a genuine MGR one. £80 is a very good price for a bonnet too :thumbsup:

Any recommendation on where to get the touch up from. Thanks

rog1963 wrote: Any recommendation on where to get the touch up from. Thanks

MG Owners Club are selling touch up pots with brush for £7.03 including P&P www.mgocspares.co.uk Sussex Classic Car Parts do a double kit base coat and clear coat and its £12.11 plus postage. They are at www.mgfcarparts.co.uk :yesnod: hope this helps. you need the code too ?? it looks like X Power Grey LEF ~ you know it is on the plate under the bonnet behind the ABS Modulator. :thumbsup:

new rover mg paint stick touch up X POWER GREY (LEF) Completed

bryan young wrote: ~ you know it is on the plate under the bonnet behind the ABS Modulator. :thumbsup:

Of course I did


Thanks guys. A great help and much appreciated.

bryan young wrote: Looks good, get a touch up pencil and de-rust those chips and touch them in, if you leave them it will spread. you can also touch in that damage on the wing edge. Please dont go to Halfords for you touch up, get a genuine MGR one. £80 is a very good price for a bonnet too :thumbsup:

For the completely clueless of us out there what's the best way to de-rust? Just a bit of sandpaper or is there a tool in with the kit?