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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - steering slap

Dear all, my 1500 has just passed its MOT with no issues so nothing too obvoius is taking place and dispite me recently inspecting all steering and suspension components i cant track down the cause of a knocking which is feeding back as i go over a bump through the steering wheel coming from the passenger side.

i am now thinking possibly ball joint but can find no excess play, damper,springs & bump stops seem okay and i have replaced bushs and greased every thing up but to no avail..any offers of wisdom?

regards

Douglas
df mccabe

How are you checking for play - If you jack under the wishbones and unload the springs then sometimes you can detect kingpin play that wasn't there jacking in a normal place?

Rob Armstrong

I've experienced the same symptoms, and in my case the cause turned out to be worn front dampers. The lever arms were rattling in their bushes. Replacing the dampers cured the noises, as well as eliminating some bump-steer that had been making corners interesting. If this is the case with your car, it's odd the MOT didn't catch it.

Best,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Hi Rob, i tried using this method at the weekend and it did not show any play at all,

Gryf,
i also took the damper arm off an tested it for resistance and it seemed okay but interested in the possiblity of a worn damper arm, everything on refit seemed quite snug against the trinion link and fulcrum pin but i could always try purchasing a couple of new dampers and see where that takes me, and you are right about making the handling interesting indeeed i have just let the tyre down a bit to try for less bounce.

Many thanks


Douglas
df mccabe

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2011 and 22/08/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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