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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Kingpin

Just finished fitting the new front wheel bearings, and noticed that although there is now no play pushing the wheel at "12 & 6" there is definite play at "3 & 9". If looking very closely, you can see the play where the kingpin enters the trunnion at the bottom, and slight movement at the top. Everything looks well greased, so there shouldn't be a great deal of trouble with dis-assembly.
My question is this, should I get a kingpin / stub axle assembly already put together from one of the major suppliers, or should I get my local mg specialist to ream and fit a new kingpin? (I already have a couple of genuine BL kingpin kits in my stock of spares.)
Thanks in advance
Dom
Dominic Excell

Play in the kingpin/bushes would be more noticeable at 12 & 6 than at 3 & 9.

Are you sure you don't have a problem with the TRE or rack?
Dave O'Neill2

It depends on your access to the special reamer

If your machine shop dosnt have the reamer then but the bolt on and go kit

Those reamers can cost from $300 to $ 800 real easy

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

so which is the test you do with someone else pressing hard on the brake pedal? (cotter pin?)
Nigel Atkins

No. Pressing hard on the brake pedal only locks the hub, so just takes the wheel bearings out of the equation.

If 12 / 6 definitely isn't rocking, then its most likely to be either TRE (easy) or the bottom fulcrum pin / lower pan bushes (hard !)
Guy W

how have you got it jacked up? If you jack under the wishbone pan (with suitable support) then play in the kingpin bottom/fulcrum pin shenanigans is much more obvious, as the spring isn't forcing it against one side.

As Guy says, pressing the brake pedal locks the wheel bearing play so other play is still/more apparent.
Rob Armstrong

If you 'really' don't have, play 12/6m then it's less likely to be the lower fulcrum either. That would show up 12/6 and be unlikely to move 3/9, as the king pin is free to swivel. As said you could be looking at the tre, or the inner rack end, or even on the other side of the car as the play will be transmited through the rack.

But having said all that, if the KP's haven't been attended to in the last couple/three of years, you almost certainly will have at least lower fulcrum play, and probably vertical play that needs de-shimming.
Lawrence Slater

cheers for that Guy, I can hear my mate saying that now but I'll forget again as it's one of the many things I just can't seem to retain
Nigel Atkins

I hear ya nigel,

There is so much good info from everyone, im constantly saying...ive got to remember that tip and im sure I never do

Guy... great tip, I didnt know that one ither

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks for the input chaps. Decided to let my local MG chap in Preston sort it in the new year. Arthritis in the back & neck is making it increasingly awkward doing the heavier work on the car nowadays. So, 2 genuine old stock BL kingpin kits are now on ebay if anyone's interested!


Dominic Excell

Wait....

You can say, your waiting till the new year because you got a sore back and neck and thats fine

Yet... im tired with to much on my plate and the whole place want a video of me driving in the next half hour

Really, wheres the fairness in that

Hahaha

Dom, I dont condemn you, if there was someone local that knew what they were doing id be tempted to do the same

Unfortantly im working today and just beat aready

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

also a tad far away Prop me ole matey ! (and waiting till new year to get Christmas, my grandaughter's 1st birthday out of the way!)
Dominic Excell

Kingpins now sold
Dominic Excell

typical, as soon as I turn the computer off you put those up, I'd have had those to keep for future use, that they are sold now guarantees problems next MoT and I'll blame you Dom!
Nigel Atkins

that's ok Nigel, I already get the blame for most things
Dominic Excell

This thread was discussed between 08/11/2013 and 11/11/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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