I was going to mention the kingpin as a source for your clunking as I have a
lot of that on our '74. I have found that I can keep it going for a while
longer with regular applicaiton of grease. However, it last shorter and
shorter periods. I know I am in for a rebuild soon. When I replaced my
bushings a few years ago I found that one of the seals on the left kingpin
was bad and when I put grease in it I could see rust coming out. Not a very
encouraging sight. It has been on my to do list for some time. So far
though, the grease keeps it going. Maybe this year.....
Ted
At 08:00 AM 5/21/96 -0600, Kevin Sullivan wrote:
>
>Thanks to everyone who offered advice re. my clunking problem. Yesterday
>I finally found time to jack up the front end and knock the wheels off.
>Left side had a little play but brake calipers were tight. I pulled out
>the 35 year old split pins and got another flat or two on most of the big
>nuts on that side. Much better. Go to the right side. Upper kingpin
>type thing is _loose_. Tighten everything on this side. Top trunnion
>still has perceptable wear because the bolt's tight and I can still feel
>it move a little bit. Grease up and put the wheels back on _tight_.
>Spokes probably should have more tension, but I doubt they'd budge. I may
>try later. Test drive. It feels _solid_. Excellent! I was thinking I
>might have to replace the wheels and kingpins and who knows what else and
>I'm getting off with twenty minutes of easy labor. Cool. BTW I had
>replaced the shot A arm bushings with urethane ones when I first got the
>car, and you'll be glad to know I replaced the ancient split pins with
>nice new ones. Since I know someone will ask, I'll go ahead and say that
>the urethane bushings _rule_. No complaints. Put 'em in with dish soap.
>I know that I'll eventually have to replace the kingpins and probably the
>wheels but for now I'm glad my car is happy and drives better. Thanks
>again to all for the helpful suggestions.
>
>Kevin Sullivan -- 1960 MGA
>Khoral Research Inc.
>Albuquerque NM USA
>
>
>
>
Edward B. (Ted) Weiler, tweiler@eskimo.com
Engineering Manager, Olympic Medical
Director, Volunteers NorthWest
http://www.eskimo.com/~tweiler/vnw.html
Membership, MG Car Club NorthWest Centre
http://www.eskimo.com/~tweiler/mgccnwc.html
|