MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Chrome Headlight Rim

OK folks think I may be an idjut but....
Had to fit a complete new headlight to the offside of the car due to corrosion to the bucket, mounting ring inner and outer etc. all OK until I tried to fit the new chrome headlamp rim which appears to be too small to fit over the obvious fittings. This is not rocket science two tabs at the top and a screw to fix the base but the rim is nowhere near the size it needs to be (well about 4mm out). Am I being really dim here or does anyone have any calming words of wisdom before I get the rather large 'encouraging tool' to make it fit?

Thanks

John
J Clack

John,

Just had the same experience with my Heritage shell rebuild.

Welcome to the world of new rubbish !

I have two more you can have free - they will not fit either !

After an hour of trying (swearing) etc i fitted two old ones in 30 seconds flat - chrome not quite perfect but adds a little patina !

Would have taken them back but collected new bits over a couple of years and a bit late to return.

Richard.
richard boobier

apols if you know this already, but you hook the rim over the top two tabs, swing it down until it hangs against the glass, then smack the top of the rim with the palm of your hand while pushing the bottom on at the same time.
David Smith

Thanks Richard

You would think that if they made the reproduction 'bucket' part of the headlamp the chrome rim would actualy fit! Even the old part doesn't fit so suspect this is re-manufactured as well!
OK so what is the next cunning plan?
Got the parts from Moss but do they do a bigger version that fits?
Just getting the large hammer out!
John
J Clack

David
Thanks for your comments, but I would need to give one hell of smack to get it to fit. Imagine large hammer!? The diameter of the 'Rim' just seems too small!
John
J Clack

I had the same problem with the ones on my Frogeye, new 'Lucas' lamp units and 'Genuine' rims from Mini Spares. I ended up bending the lip on the chrome rim inwards a touch in a few places to get them to fit, even then I had to press hard to get them to pop on. I doubt I'll get them off again without damaging them. I know Mini Spares do non-genuine chrome rims so maybe they fit due to being an inferior part.
Andy Barrass

John, you said:

>>> This is not rocket science two tabs at the top and a screw to fix the base... <<<

For what it's worth, on my '78 the rim slips over two tabs at the top and then engages a springy clip at bottom center.

So apparently there are different models of rim out there, and perhaps you have the wrong ones.

Cheers,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thanks to you all

Got butchering with the tin snips and took 2-3mm off the inside of the rim most of the way around. Fits like a glove. Still it'll probably corrode now and fall off in the space of a few weeks!!
OK now it's in place how the hell to I get the retaining screw in above the indicator light?

My wife thinks I'm insane, I just think it helps!

John
J Clack

This thread was discussed between 08/07/2008 and 09/07/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.