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Suspension & Steering
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I have a pair of A-Arms on the '76 Midget I am parting out, and they are in good condition. I won't get around to pulling them for another 2-3 weeks, but if you can wait that long, drop me a line directly and make me an offer. -Brett Brett@... "Brett LaCroix" 9378... MORE
Does anyone just happen to have a pair of GOOD lower A-arms for sale to fit a 1973 Midget or know a place to obtain used ones ? Mine are scrap and money is real tight right now. Thanks... Rick "Hugh Acosta" 9372... MORE
Hi Bree, I know just how you feel, as about 18months after I got Ava, my Mk3 Midget, the clutch went. As it was winter, I decided to wait until the spring to have her repaired. By then the body had become unsafe! I couldn't afford to have her repaired. So she was laid up until funds were available. Meantime, passing a local house we saw Poppy up for sale, at an affordable price. Like you, I was getting withdrawal symptoms, so my husband bought her for me so I would not be Midget-less. The idea was to sell... MORE
Mike, Thanx for the reply, I didn't know you Yanks raced midgets, I thought you just polished and talked about them. :o) :o) I thought that I had replied to you, but can't find a copy in my sent item file. At the moment I've got two 1275 engines on the bench in my garage. Both reputedly to be good. But want to try them out before fitting one of them into the car. I've not seen or heard either of them running , an they've both been standing , out a the car for several years. The engine... MORE
As cold as it gets here in late October.....don't need a cooler.....don't need a gun rack either...I hunt with Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson.... .44mag so I guess I am all set......for a yankee that is David A. Stevens Jr. Utilities Engineer II NYS Office Of General Services Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant 79 Sheridan Avenue Albany, NY 12210 "Stevens, David" 9305... MORE
Driving to the office this morning I looked over to my left and there was a woman in a new black MERC doing 85 MPH per hour with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner! I looked away for a couple seconds and when I looked back she was halfway over in my lane, still working on that makeup!!! It scared me (I'm a man) so bad, I dropped my electric shaver, which knocked the donut out of my other hand. In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car using... MORE
The welding was the failure: the springs were an "advisory". I just put tha t in after the earlier postings on this subject. Another advisory point which came up was that one front brake seems to bind when cold. When the car's done a mile or so, the pulling seems to disappear . Its something you "get used to" as part of the drive from home, same as keeping the revs below 2,500 (and more recently, not using first gear too much).When warm, I can brake hard from speed without any problem: I don't even have to "pump" the... MORE
Too much sag, they're having you on aren't they. I'm not an expert but I'd like to see the rule under which they failed that. OK it's a problem that needs dealing with but I can't believe it's an MoT failure unless the car is very very saggy. Try another MoT station, a couple of years back my reliable MoT place got a new man and he failed mine on front bearings and rack. Took it elsewhere and they passed it without even giving any 'advises' on those items (which I knew were fine). Jeremy '63 Sprite "Jeremy Cogman"... MORE
No idea - just passing on what my tame mechanic told me. Afraid I haven't spoken to him for a few days, so I'll pass on anything interesting: I had a look after I got the replies and could not find what I thought I was describing (if that makes sense!). Car's off the road again after it failed its MOT (UK roadworthiness test) o n rear springs (too much sag to driver's side - ring any bells) and a bit of welding. Should have it on the road by next weekend - another sunny weekend missed - AAARGH!... MORE
Cap'n Bob My 60 Bugeye also has a zerk on the steering rack, but I can't find a parts store that carries anything that will allow me to inject the oil. They suggested that I take the fitting out and pour it in, but that's probably not the correct solution. How do you get the oil into the steering rack. Thanks Bob rlirwin@... 9243... MORE
Yeah call me crazy. The Midget should be running in about a month. The Mini PU awaits a lot of floor panel welding but should see progress once the Midget gets its Kent cam, Kenlowe, Alden Yellow, Datsun 5speed, and a set of progressive valve springs I got in the UK ten years ago. Still looking for an LCB for LHD and 1.5s Third in line is the faithful Austin 1300/America that served me so faithfully all those years when it was all I had. Right rear seat cut out so I could carry my standup string bass, what... MORE
'64. During 60`s many MG magnettes sedan here.....they were almost all taxi cars.........also same shell different front called Riley, and others Morris......they were positive ground, arm shocks, SU carbs.......motors about 1500 cc...........try to find some old picture............ 1955 Jorge 1973 Midget BA-ARGENTINE "Jorge Dimitrakis" 9221... MORE
Brad, at least you'd have some additional power (if you could keep the front suspension off the pavement). The amount of work would probably be about the same, but the B engine would have very little gain in the $$$ to performance ratio...'-) Gerard "gerardchateau" 9173... MORE
Muy interasanto, Brentman!! My steering zerk (not nipple...zerk!) is also located at the "far end" of the steering rack. Since I use grease in the summer and 80W oil in the winter; so I recon I average out at about 140SAE oil (where does one get 140SAE oil - I do not think I have ever seen this - most likely because I never thought I needed it!!) I must look for this! Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 9179... MORE
Capn Bob, According to my Haynes manual those that are pre 72 take oil (SAE 140), those 72 and later take general purpose grease. My 71, which is oiled has the grease nipple or zerk or whatever, located at the far end away from the steering column. My 76, which is greased, has the grease nipple located on top of the plunger cap, right at the column. Brent 76 Greased 71 Oiled "Brent Wolf" 9176... MORE
Coming a bit late to this thread, but here's another piece of information about the "K" series. This did indeed replace the A+ in the Metro - it became the "Rover 100" in the process. The "K" series also powers the MG "F" and "TF". (The "F" was based around the clever Hydragas suspension from the Metro - clever, but too difficult to make it work reliably in the longer term for a sportscar. They ditched the suspension and replaced it with coils, gave it a facelift and called it "TF") Anyway, although the "K" seires is a completely... MORE
A few more thoughts on well greased nipples some gear oil added to the grease does help, Adding a squirt of grease and not making sure the rack is fully lubricated is not a good idea, Oil does spread (all over the road) but will run to the lowest point and tend to stay there. Its not like a gear box where its being continuously churned up. Regards Alan "alan.east-jones" 9147... MORE
I agree with you, but we always grease racks even when installing new ones . 1) grease sticks. 2) oil always leaks out. The only time to use oil is when there is a reservoir in built for the gear teeth to keep dipping in.. Light grease shouldn't make the steering heavier, think of the mechanical advantage created at the rack and pinion. What is a zerk? I prefer a good clean nipple Regards Alan "alan.east-jones" 9146... MORE
Alan, Later Spridgets use the Spitfire rack. Even the mounts are different. I think the switch occured around '73-'74, but definately by '75. The later racks don't have the zerk fitting. The recommended lubricant is definately SAE 90, but since most of us are accustomed to equating a zerk with grease and not oil, most people assume it requires grease. I know I always did. Anyway, I'm not sure it will do any harm to use grease, but it may make the steering a little heavier. Gerard "gerardchateau" 9145... MORE
Alan East-Jones: I prefer a well lubed rack but clean nipples. Of course, that's just me! (By the way, all, "Happy Rabbit"!) I used grease for many, many years for the exact same reason: the damn thing had a grease nipple on it so I "greased" it!! Logical? Of course. Same with my MGB's, etc. Never had a worn rack or steering rack problem, ever. So I absolutely agree with your thinking on this 'cause it works!! And your thinking as to a "sump" for oil I agree with also, but that's exactly why you "fill" the boots. On... MORE
Just to let you know, I found someone who makes the front suspension mounts for =A33.50 each so I've had new ones welded on. Sprite will be back on the road next week. FWIW I've posted a photo of it on the photos' page, showing the kind of hammering it gets. Never mind it will probably outlast me. "gerald_r_simpson" 9129... MORE
if yr. midget is the same as mine 72 , follow the steering column all the way down to where it meets the rack . The grease nipple is there looking at you, few things as a nice as well greased nipples, - to keep the bits running nice and smooth. :o} Regards Alan "alan.east-jones" 9101... MORE
Mates: These steering racks can be "different" from one model to another, is some respects. Those that have "grease" nipples in fact, take oil, not grease. Boat (Marine) stores sell the appropriate oil gun with an appropriate fitting for the "grease" nipple. Just as easily done is removing a clamp from the steering rack rubber boot on either side and squirting in oil from the appropriate oil gun (no special fitting required, obviously!). Now, if I could just remember the oil that we use!! (It should be "in the book" which I do not have readily available at this... MORE
I have a question. How do you lubricate the steering rack on a 1974 MG MIdget? I can't seem to find a grease point either on the rack or in the Haynes manual. Thanks! DSutteiii@... 9100... MORE
Well, Tim- It could be a number of things not necessarily carb related. (ether either, ether either, either ether...I can't do it!!) Peter C. of nosimport states: "90% of carb. problems are electrical". Amen to this!! "My engine is difficult to start when cold" does not contain enough specific information for me to work with to "trouble shoot" with any decent chance of reasonable accuracy at my experience level. Now I just walked in from dinner and I see Gerard has already answered your post so he's already hit the basics on SU's. And he has said it all,... MORE
