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Ed If you read one of my earlier posts regarding the front hub smaller bearing not going all the way down to the spacer, I can now tell you why that was. When I started working on the second hub to fit the bearings and oil seals, I took a look down the hub, to see how far down the smaller bearing had to go. Yep you guessed it (well I hope you did ; ) the outer 'RACE' of the smaller bearing was still down there! Doh! That's why on the other hub the smaller bearing wasn't going... MORE
Jim OK, I think I'm getting confused between front and rear hubs, because I'm doing the front ones now! I the oil seal goes in as far as it'll go, then press the bearing in using the old one as a drift. Pack it with grease, then put the 'o' ring into its little groove with grease and then the paper gasket. Does that sound right? From what I remember, the oil seal does go in as far as it will go, there is a lip that it rests against on the 'halfshaft' side of the hub. When the... MORE
Nigel, Congrats, I can guess what a great feeling that is. I made some progress on my workshop this week end. Framed up bathroom and last wall. Built a roll around workbench and I hope to be able to drag one of my Bugeyes into the shop in January. Also it will be the first time moving on wheels in about 15 years. Keep it up. Cheers, Bob in San Diego "Robert D. Gardner" 27107... MORE
Jim I've just recently fitted new bearings and seals to my rear hubs, but I'm not sure I fully understand the first part of your question to answer it. As far as I can remember, the big bearing goes into the rear of the hub (I used the old one against the new one and pressed it home in a vice) then the oil seal goes in open side first, the flat side of the seal is always outermost. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 27080... MORE
Since we're on the subject of hubs, bearings and seals I have a question. When I removed the rear hubs on my 73 Midget I found the seals directly against the back of the bearings. There appears to be a seat for the seal at the back (inside) of the hub just as there is a seat for the bearing in the front(outside). Should the seal be directly behind and touching the bearing or should it be seated at the back of the hub leaving a space between the two? Also, each hub had the seal facing in different... MORE
Roger Thanks for that link, I did spot the typo and corrected it in your first post, and did read the article - very useful, thanks. The explanation there of the 'slave' bolts is clear, and this morning I nipped up to my local DIY store and bought some. I've just finished using them, and yes it certainly makes life easier, albeit somewhat longer to do. Right, front suspension almost finished! Thanks for your help. Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 27078... MORE
It IS about time, Mike, eh? Now RBH, being a new BE owner, must join the bugeye@yahoogroups list, of course, to make it official! :) Cap'n. Bob '60 :{) PilotRob@... 27089... MORE
Well, I just couldn't stand no being in debt. I had come into a small (and I mean small) amount of cash recently due to the sell of a piece of property in a ghetto. I spent a weekend recently at Elizabeth and Fisher Jones place in the hill country of Texas (take your hat off when you say that). I was there to persue Bambi and his kin with my cousin and grandson. We took a nice buck, but that's another story. Those of you who have had the pleasure of seeing the Jones' place will agree (unless... MORE
It was time to put the new bearings and oil seal into the front hubs, so I got them out of the wrapping they were in, gave them a final clean with a cloth to get any little bits of dirt out ready for the new seals. I went and got the brand new bearings from the unopened packet, got them out opened them up, and trial fitted the largest bearing into the back of the hub. It wouldn't fit! It was like way too wide in diameter to fit in there! I was standing there thinking how can... MORE
Ed Well I recently saw pair of Sykes Pickavant Spring Compressors sell on ebay for 15 bucks, plus you can get them here www.machinemart.co.uk in the uk, no problem at all. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=040211224 Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 27067... MORE
BTW, Nigel; HOW did you "pack" the bearings?? Ed "justbrits" 27075... MORE
or even http://www.mgcars.org.uk/midgetspriteclub/sprite/spritefrontsusp.htm "David Jacobs" 27057... MORE
Yes, those are the ones. Its one of those situations where it is so easy to do and rather more difficult to explain. Having tried to explain it all I have discovered what you might find a very useful text at http://www.mgcars.org,uk/midgespriteclub/sprite/spritefrontsusp.htm It is on the midgesprite club website, in the tech tips section. Even having rebuilt front suspensions a few times for different people, it contains some useful reminders. R. "Roger Stinson" 27056... MORE
Roger Thanks, I think I understand. I first thought, what bolts? going in where? Then I realised you must be referring to the bolts that bolt the spring Seat onto the Wishbone - right? Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 27055... MORE
Slave bolts are just lung bolts. Take out two of the existing bolts, put long ones in, doing them up, but not tight, remove the other two original bolts and then release the two long ones reasonably evenly. Two long bolts reside permanently in my tool box just for this purpose! Very cheap special tool. If you put the bolts the right way around you can get the ratchet from your socket set onto it and that makes life a lot easier. R "Roger Stinson" 27053... MORE
I have used this method several times. Very easy to remove and install the springs this way with or without the engine in place and the cost is only two longer bolts and a couple of washers and nuts! I have found spacers and washers between the a-arm hole and the nut or bolt head make it easier to use a wrench to loosen and tighten as it raises the nut or head out of the indented area of the a-arm where the holes are located. I used a couple of large washers and socket wrench heads (makes about... MORE
When I have reasembled the front suspension oon my car before, I have always assembled it complete, without the spring and then used long 'slave bolts' to draw it up into position. This way you are not fighting the spring at any stage, except when using the slave bolts, and here it is very controlled. This method does not rely on the weight of the car at all. It is worth putting a small wooden block in position to prevent over compression of the bump stops however. Leave them in place until the engine is back in the car,... MORE
Roger I presume by 'slave bolts' you mean Spring Compressors? or am I getting confused? I could have used 'Spring Compressors' but it's just yet another tool to buy! You're lucky with the Spridget front suspension that you can remove and install the spring without the need for Spring Compressors, but that's rather dependant on the engine being in! Nigel "amukdigiphoto" 27049... MORE
Hi guys Thought I'd update you all once again on how the restoration is going. I've taken a few more pics that can be seen on the Yahoo Group Webpage in the Nigel-71-Midget Folder. Basically the rear axle is back on the car with the rear springs and backplates, brakes and hubs all reassembled. I've also nearly completed the left hand side (RHD Drive) front suspension. Putting the front and rear suspension components back on before all the spraying is finished is a bit out of sequence, but due to the restriction on space within my garage, I now... MORE
Hi all! I got my new sealed beams from that place up North, they were really good. Unlike MOSS! ;) Anyway, They work fine, I had to been the chrome in three new places , as the 'Werner' beans had slightly different lugs and needed new holes to slot into the bowl. Aside from that all is good! Now, as for brackets.... I was hoping to be able to buy some. But can't find any. (I am going to attach the bracket to the bumper screw/bolts. So any recomendations there? Or am I going to have to buy 1... MORE
The Concord (in principle) is not done, percieved "national attitude" notwithstanding. It's timing was bad among other world events. Had times been good and/or had they been able in enlarge it (more passengers) or develop a more fuel efficient engine(s) for it (R&D costs at a time when there was no money?), the larger capacity or more fuel efficient versions would be flying today. OTOP ("paw" - obligatory cat content, Guy Weller...I caught that "chock" comment, fella....watch it!!:).... "today" , we have email and electronic conferencing. You can see how circumstances combined against supersonic international global flight world-wide. At... MORE
Hiya, Alan... All a question of extent in terms of earning and price ratios. I will give you an example. In 1958, my folks had constructed in gorgeous upper middle class suburbia a beautiful ranch style house in North Stamford. It went for $65,000. The average annual salary of an American Airlines Captain was around $55K or a little more at that time. Today, that house goes for about 1.5 million. The average AA Capt's salary today..... $250K. See what I mean. Average salaries are no where near keeping up with average rising costs in a lot of ways.... MORE
Alan... Which came first? The chicken or the egg? :):) Oil is basic power for production...of nearly anything and everything. There are other factors of course like normal inflation, with or without the cost of basic power tripling over a short period. Oil was US$ 9.00 bbl. back in the early 60's, if that. Airline kerosene was US 15 cents a US gallon under fleet purchase, if that, back then. As a kid, leaded high test ran about 40 cents a gallon or so. The foregoing notwithstanding, the modern cars of today are far safer/better machines for sure. Part... MORE
It seems a bunch of folks are spending a lot of time welding up old rusty tubs out there. Fisher and Elizabeth Jones in Comfort TX have a number of almost rust free tubs they would I think be willing to part with. There range from Bugeye to RB. RH ...those idiots at the NRA, not only do they think the second amendment gives them the right to own guns, they think the first amendment gives them the right to free speech!...unknown. rbhouston@... 27005... MORE
Expensive..Yes Noisey..Very But without doubt one of the most beautiful machines ever built. Gary L 1958 Frogeye (mostly) London, England. "Gary Lazarus" 26989... MORE
