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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering and brakes...

Well the midget went for its MOT (2nd time) to a different garage than last time.

Anyway it failed on 3 things, 2 of which wasnt spotted on the last test, I suppose thats the problem in going to a different garage.

1) Nearside upper (trunion) steering pivot has excessive plate

2) Offside steering gaiter

3) Front brakes imbalanced (26%)

Now obviously the gaiter is a silly little thing, I presume the play in the top trunion is just a case of replacing the 1.50 bushes?

But the brakes Im unsure of, They were 56% out of balance on the first test so I rebuilt the calipers with new pistons, and new EBC pads. How can I sort this problem? All I can think is to take the calipers off and put the pistons back in with a smear of grease on them? (I assembled them with brake fluid as it says in Haynes)
D Tetley

I use copperslip on all the relevent parts -- did you make sure the front hoses are ok??
Mick - trying to sort the wiring

If the trunion excessive play is vertical movement of the stub axle along the king-pin... this is fixed by removing one or more of the spacer washers (small/steel, under the trunion) leaving the bearing (large, scintered/bronze washer) unchanged.

You only need to replace the scintered bearing when there are no more spacer washers and there is still play present. This means the scintered bearing is worn and needs replacing (order a packet of the steel washers at same time - you will need them). Keep the 'old' ones too.

If you remove a spacer washer(s) and the stub axle won't swivel with the top linkpin nut tight, then you need to put an extra spacer washer under the trunion until the axle swivels again...

A
Anthony Cutler

If the front brakes are that much inbalanced, and assuming that the pads and discs are good, then I would assume some air in the system on one side.
Guy Weller

I too have an inbalance on the front brakes the mot station recommended that I change the front hoses as they can collapse internally but look all right from the outside.

They said a collapsed hose slows the fluid flowing both ways.

So in my humble opinion I would try the hoses.

HTH Shaun

Shaun

I assembled the seals with rubber grease (not sure on what make its just what we had in) and copper slip on the back of the pads, well on the anti squeal pad that you stick onto the EBC pads.

Thanks for the ever useful advice guys. I didn’t change the flexi's because externally they did look ok. I have some new ones which I didn’t get around to fitting so I will put these in (they look a pain to get to with the carbs on (1500 engine)) Then I'll give the system a good bleed!

I'll have to check where the play is as the guy who tested it didn’t show or tell me. I couldn’t feel any play with the roadwheel on, So I guess it has to be removed and then looked at more closely? I’ve ordered the rubber bushes for the top trunion so I will replace them anyway.
D Tetley

I would check for play with the wheel on - that's what they do. Besides, without the wheel there, it is difficult to feel small amounts of play.

Also, check it with a jack under the wishbone, so the spring is in compression.
Dave O'Neill 2

Hi
I had the same problem at mot, front brake inbalance, I eventully found the problem was a front hub bearing seal failed and grease had got on the back of the brake disc and pad.
Seal replaced and all cleaned cured the problem, hope this helps
M HEARN

This thread was discussed between 04/08/2009 and 07/08/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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