MGB & GT Forum

Welcome! Sign In Register

Please Sign In or Register to Search

Frame Rails

Posted by 1510Seattle

Want to advertise your business in this space? Click here for more information!

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

Frame Rails #1
1510Seattle Paul P Seattle, Washington, USA	Posted: April 17, 2012 11:24AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 16

I need some help. I have attached two photos reflecting two current "issues" with my 77B

1. The picture of the frame rail shows that just forward of the bolt attaching the front suspension, there is bondo or some sort of filler. This occurs on both rails. These areas were covered with oil/grease when i bought the car and were discovered during disassembly. The fender and hood seams were true and appear to be original. When I drove it there was no pulling or drifting or any sort of front end vibration but I can't think why these areas would be filled unless there had been some sort of significant repair. No damage is visible from the underside. some wear o the inside of the right front tire but nothing excessive. All in all the car is in good shape, no rust of any consequence (just a little in the trunk.

2. The second photo shows some sort of "something or other" in the spring. Driver's side only, one front, one back, one high, one low. Any ideas?

Thanks for comments, suggestions,

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Attachments:

Photo159.JPG (40 KB) –

Photo163.JPG (30.6 KB) –

Please Sign In or Register to view additional attachments.

Re: Frame Rails #2
kuz1 Keith Kuzma Prattville,Alabama, USA 1971 MG MGB 1980 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Posted: April 17, 2012 11:28AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 2,725

lol spring spacers ,to take some lean out of the car. replace the springs .

Reply Quote

Re: Frame Rails #3
Steve Lyle Tulsa, USA 1972 MG MGB	Posted: April 17, 2012 01:10PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,343

1. Ignore it. Live with the fact that the car is straight.
2. x2 on the spacers - a quick/cheap way to deal with worn out springs.

Documenting my project in my journal at http://www.mgexperience.net/journal/index/Steve+Lyle

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Frame Rails #4
rossvesq Ross V Arlington, Virginia, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Luigi"	Posted: April 17, 2012 01:54PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 239

Hard to tell from the photo how deep the gouges are that required filler. If very shallow, it's quite possible there was some surface rust that created a rough surface and the PO just applied a skim coat of bondo to smooth it out. Can you chip some away to see how deep it is? In any case, it can't be that deep, otherwise there'd be no structural integrity to the front rails, and it sounds like you've been driving it fine. If you watch the video series on the tear down/resto of a MGB, there is a scene where the mechanic notes that the rear axle housing where the bump stop plates mount is rusted partly away. He then uses a skim coat of a metal filler (like bondo but with metal particles) to fill it. After it dries, he sands it down and the axle housing looks like new after a coat of paint. Could be the same thing with your rails.

Reply Quote

Re: Frame Rails #5
j-blueridge Jamie Bourland C'ville VA, USA 1968 MG MGB GT "Antichrist"	Posted: April 17, 2012 03:19PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 650

Personally, I'd investigate the mystery filler maybe with a Dremel tool or hammer and small chisel. You can always re-fill it later but I'd want to know what was under there.

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Frame Rails #6
tony53 Tony Graham Glen Alpine, Australia 1976 MG MGB "@@#&**@"	Posted: April 18, 2012 07:53AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 510

Mine was cracked around there. It had had at least one, possibly two accidents in that area before I got it.

Reply Quote

Re: Frame Rails #7
1510Seattle Paul P Seattle, Washington, USA	Posted: April 20, 2012 12:47PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 16

Thanks to all for your help.

Reply Quote

Re: Frame Rails #8
balloonfoot Lloyd Faust New Mexico, USA 1964 Porsche C Coupe 1967 MG MGB "MAX" 1985 Chevrolet Corvette "EASY 1ST" 1986 Chevrolet Corvette "Gas Mileage Special" 1989 Chevrolet Camaro ""I Rock""	Posted: April 20, 2012 12:56PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 8,279

I'd investigate the sides of the driver's frame rail (look at it from inside the wheelwell. It may well be bent (it was common for a slippery shop to put a spacer in the spring to bring a crooked car back up to level).....replacing the spring may not solve anything.

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”.
- Abraham Lincoln

"Anyone with an intense emotional interest in a subject loses the ability to observe it objectively: You selectively perceive events. You ignore data and facts that disagree with your main philosophy. Even your memory works to fool you, as you selectively retain what you believe in, and subtly mask any memories that might conflict."

Reply Quote

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

RSS

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute

MGB & GT · MG Midget · Buy, Sell & Trade · Vendor & Group Buy · MG Engine Swaps · Original MG · MGA · MGC · MG Magnette · 1100 & 1300 · T-Series & Prewar · Modern MGs · MG Motorsports · MG-2013 Event · Member Meetup · Other Vehicles · Off Topic · Clubs

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Check the Forum Help File (FAQ) or contact the webmaster.
View the archived version of this thread.
Built using Phorum Open Source Software

The MG Experience

www.mgexp.com

MGB & GT Forum

Frame Rails

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!Members Sign In if you've already registered, orRegister a New AccountRegistration is free and takes less than a minute

Join Our Club

MGExp Menu

—

Adjust Text Size

More to Explore

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute