Bugeye Spring Boxes

[John Moore]

Last night, I got to work on the Bugeye... yay!

After alot of fun with the torch and penetrating oil, I finally got the springs out. I didn't know how much dirt could fit in that little hole!

Suprisingly the spring boxes seem pretty solid, but I'm still scraping out all the dirt and scale. The only rust penetration seems to be at the end of the pocket where the front bulk head would be. Does that have to be replaced? The rest of the box seems stout. Also, is the base plated welded or held in place with bolts?

I would post photos, but my computer is acting up.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Good going John!

If you do not repair the bulkhead then water will continue getting into the car floor board. Do some more poking and prodding and I think you'll discover some stuff you want to repair/replace.

Base plate is spot welded and has a few edge welds around the lip.

 

[John Moore]

Thanks Trevor. I'll keep poking. I'll have to replace the floor pans, so I'm sure more will be revealed.

 

[John Moore]

Here's what they look like...

 

[Trevor Jessie]

You might want to take the shock and radius arm bracket off and do some more poking. What does the brace inside the cockpit look like?

 

[John Moore]

I'm taking off the shocks right now. I didn't know the radius arm bracket came off. I'll work on that too.

In the cockpit the braces are solid, but there is rust on the floor pan around them. I'll keep working on stripping the shell. Good thing I've had a recent tetnus shot! lol

I'll keep you posted.

 

[John Moore]

Ugg. Looks like the rear cockpit bulk head is crispy where it hits the floor on the driver side. Looks like I'll have to replace it too. At least the "shut panel" looks solid. It seems to have been preserved by a leaky diff! There is always more rust than you think. Bummer! Looks like I'll have to re-earn my black belt in welding.

I have to replace both the floor pans and rockers.... and now the rear bulk head. Which should be replaced first to help preserve the geometry of the body?

 

[mccalebr]

BTDT...not fun, but can be done.

You might want to take a look at some photos of the process I went through:

https://www.raysmg.com/rays_mg_midget_62_sprite_bodywork.htm

Start with the Jun-Aug 2007 page and then the Sep-Nov 2007 page.

Ray

 

[John Moore]

Thanks Ray,

I've already spent a good deal of time on your site today pondering how the spring boxes all go together. Thanks for well documenting everything. I don't think that this point, I'll have to split my car in two! But looks like maybe I should tackle the rockers, then floor and rear cockpit panel. Right?

 

[mccalebr]

I agree...if you have enough good metal left to say replace the inner and outer sills and floor pans individually with the existing rear bulkhead in place, then tackle the rear bulkhead, it makes alignment easier. I didn't. Also remember, on the sills and pans you will be doing one side at the time...that helps a lot in locating the other (working) side. Not so with the rear bulkhead...all or nothing.

Ray

 

[John Moore]

Thanks Ray!

I did a complete sill replacement a few years ago on my MGB, so I know the importance of keeping everything in line. I've just about got everything off the tub. So next step will be putting it on the rotissary and stripping the paint and blasting so the "FUN" can begin.