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 - Steering Rack Types

I replaced the steering rack in my Sprite with a "reconditioned" one a couple of years ago. I have a knock around the steering wheel when I go over a bump. I have checked every joint in the suspension and replaced the felt bushes in the column, I am now prety certain the knock is from the rack. I suspect it was a black aerosol refurbishment. I would like to rebuild a rack myself and then do a swop over. My car is a HAN 9 model and the rack has a cover plate to the bottom of the pinion. I believe this is the same as fitted to Morris Minors. All the MG ones I have seen for sale are of the later type without the bottom cover plate and the Morris ones are all reconditioned and expensive. Will one of the later racks fit my MK !V Sprite? A friend of mine has had a similar problem with rattle can recoditioned shockabsorbers for his MG TD and I now want to do the job myself.

Jan T
J Targosz

You can fit the later, Triumph type rack to your car, but you also need the mounting brackets, track-rod ends and steering arms. It is also lower geared.
Dave O'Neill 2

You can get new racks if you want to avoid the recon ones. I’ve had one good one (it’s still on the car and is spot on) and one bad one that virtually seized up while turning from lock to lock during fitting. I got a full refund but it took a few months as they sent it away for testing. That was Rimmers and they are notoriously bad with things like returns. I’m sure Moss would be much better.

I ended up rebuilding my old rack by swapping parts round from an old spare one I had. Then I sprayed it with black aerosol and put new gaiters on - so a fully reconditioned rack!!
John Payne

RHD MG midget racks are LHD Morris Minor racks mounted upside down. I've usually been able to buy recon LHD Morris Minor racks for a lot less than RHD MG Midget racks. Curious isn't it? call it an MG and you can charge more!!!!
Rob
MG Moneypit

Rob, same on Jaguar parts.
Parts for my 78 xj6 are affordable but if its something that is/can be used for a E type it some times doubles or even trippels...

Most amazing example of paying to much because of "high end" model was the a4 sheet decals you can buy for a midget for 27 euro while a a4 sheet decals Jaguar Etype costs 120 euro.... :)

A de Best

Well I have a very good condition RHD Minor LHD Midget pinion on ebay that needs a good home.
Daniel

Well I seem to have 3 spare of the later Triumph racks - can't remember how I acquired so many ?

R.
richard b

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2024 and 19/01/2024

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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