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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - New tierod ends seem a bit loose

I got some new tierod ends but they're a bit loose. The inside diameter appears to be a bit oversize so there's not a lot of thread contact. Obviously when the nut is tightened up they go tight but how much thread is holding it together?

I put a little video up showing what I mean. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-QPHI75TDI

Is there a problem or am I just being fussy?
Greg H

Doesn't look good to me... a failure in the TRE could have serious consequences; I'd take them back and ask for replacements.

On safety-critical items, fussy = good.

I assume the 'old' TRE was nice and tight on the threads?

A
Anthony Cutler

Doesn't look good to me either.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks, as I thought. Yes old ones were ok but I thought I'd put new ones on anyway. Bought from UK but I don't think it matters where you buy things these days it's still probably come from China. I'll see if I can buy some locally.
Greg H

Jeez they look really crap. I don't reckon it would take much to strip the thread in those. Even when you tighten the lock nut, you can't take up the lateral play. and the more you tighten the lock nut, the more likely it is that you WILL strip a thread on those.

What make are they? Are they a well known brand like QH for example?
Lawrence Slater

I've got some new TREs for my B in the garage. I'd better try them now rather than when I'm putting it back together, in case I need to find some NOS ones.
Dave O'Neill 2


What make? Brand name? Lawrence your soooo funny! They came in a plain white box with GSJ-169 on it. They were bought from a reputable supplier but they obviously didn't get them from a reputable manufacturer. This sort of quality on critical components is a bit worry.

So that's my next question where do you get quality TRE's from. i.e. ones where the maker isn't scared to put his name on the box?
Greg H

With that sort of movement you'll likely get high cycle fatigue in the tie rod followed by SNAP, followed by a complete loss of steering control.


DO NOT USE THEM!
Deborah Evans

What Deb says!

They will almost certainly fail in use.

And failure when steering isnt quite nice is it?

Better tell the retailer as soon as you can, you may save some lives soon if you do.

When you lock them up the lock nut will make them look tight but in fact the threads will be operating outside their design limits and damage is imminent.
Bill 1

Greg
I've just been on the QH site and I'm a tiddle cofused
midgets are listed at 5/8" rodends and
MGB at 9/16"
I'm wondering if they are around the wrong way

Both 9/16" and 5/8" UNF are 18tpi - so it would screw on

"IF" your tierod is in fact 9/16" and your tierod ends which are listed as 5/8" - the result would be what you are experiencing -- A quick measurement of the od of your tierod would cofirm if this is the problem

From what I can sort of work out - If your rods are 9/16" you need M3010-43912/QHZ
Cheers Willy

Don't quote me it's just a chance at what could be-----
William Revit

One possible explanation for Greg's loose track rod ends:

Pre 1972 Midget/Sprite tr rd ends are GSJ169 (I believe are 5/8" 18tpi).

Post 1972 Midget tr rd ends are GSJ158 (I believe are 1/2" 20tpi).

It's possible that Greg is trying to fit GSJ169 to a later Midget rack . . . ?
Andy Hock

MGB is definitely 9/16" - I've just measured it.

I don't have a Midget rack to hand, but as Andy says, Minor and Triumph derived racks are different, although I think the early rack is a larger diameter.
Dave O'Neill 2

>>Dave writes>>early rack is a larger diameter

>>AH replies>>Yeah, that's the point I tried to make - it is quite possible that Greg is fitting the larger bore tr rd ends (designed for the earlier rack) onto a later Midget rack (with the smaller diameter tie rods) - hence the floppy factor! Just a thought.
Andy Hock

Ah, but Greg's car is a '69 (see profile), so should have the early rack.

Probably just carp parts - again!
Dave O'Neill 2

Yes early rack. Checked rack ends and they're 0.615" so that's 5/8". Just rubbish parts. I've notified the supplier and suggested they go check the rest of their stock.
Greg H

This thread was discussed between 29/10/2011 and 30/10/2011

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