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MG Midget and Sprite General - Wishbone problems

My car failed its MOT today on many points, one of the main things was a cracked wishbone which will probably need replacing. As the current stub axles fit the kingpins, and work, i'm reluctant to replace everything (I can't afford it either). I also looked at Barry King wishbones, but as these are fairly heavily modified they are only sold in pairs, and again I can't afford them.
So is it possible to fit old kingpins to new wishbones and is there a cheaper alternative?
BH Harvey

"So is it possible to fit old kingpins to new wishbones"?

Yes, it may be very hard to remove them though as the slotted pins can get very happy where they are.

Be ready for a possible struggle getting the swivel pins out of the wishbone mounts too.

Most of us have stories of strife OR "very easy job to do".

I have seen Barry King wishbones, excellent workmanship, but I have never tried them out yet

I think I will though if I ever need a new wishbone, safety and ease of operation makes them a good idea, to me.
Bill 1

I think the king pins should fit on new wish bones ....probably even make for a more solid ride

But I've been known to be wrong 3 other times in my life time

Prop
Prop

LOL since Barry King sold loads at Midget50 - there must be loads of halfway decent second hand pairs ... ;)
rachmacb

If your lower trunions aren't frozen to the pins due to rust you should be able to remove them fairly easily and fit another A frame. You should check the fit of your trunion pins in the new A frame before you install it to be sure there's not a lot of slop that could cause you further problems. I made a tool to remove and reinstall the lower trunion pins that worked very well the last time I did the job. Took a cold chisel a bit wider than the pin that had a hex shaft and ground the end to look like the drawing. The center bit helps keep the tool located in the pin while the two shoulders fit into the slots and rotate the pin. Easy to turn the tool with an adjustable spanner or even socket if you can find one that fits well.

B Young

And soak soak soak with liqui-wrench or similar days before you start.
Alex G Matla

Being that your getting new wish bone pans .... Perhaps just use a 4 inch angle grinder cut off the front portion of the wishbone pan then you have all kinds of options for removing the remnants from the king pin
Prop

There are a few Spridget owners meeting at the Angel, Addington, Kent. at 1200hrs this coming Sunday. Should be at least one other 1500 Midget there if you have time to spare. Who knows what apare parts they may have in their garages / garden sheds. What else did it fail on?
A Anstead

Hi if you e mail me I may be able to help you with some wishbones as I have 2 spare brand new that im not using at the moment (They are Barry King ones but not the premier just the standard ones ), In Kent as well so could probably meet up if it would help you

Mail me and i will send you my contact number if interested

Thanks
Andy
Andy Chaffey

Coming on Sunday, Andy. You could bring some pictures to show how you are progressing.
Alan.
A Anstead

Hi just a reminder we do sell single standard wishbones @ £70 each inc UK Freight, and RACHMACB i wished you had introduced yourself @ Burghley so i can put a face to the comments/quotes!Barry
bp king

I had a very welded up wishbone on my car for many years. I may even still have it. No problem with MOTs.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Lol Barry I was rushing around too much :(. I had an aim of buying three things and your wishbones were one of them - sorry :(. I had a ghastly orange cap on though........
rachmacb

Daniel,

It may at one point have been OK but I have been told that these days and for quite a few years repairing the likes of wishbones by welding is a no no for the MOT. I think it would have something to do with the more advanced materials used these days and the likelihood of repairing a modern suspension component leading to failure unless you have specialist knowledge and facilities. I would expect the spridget wishbones to be OK if welded by a competent weldor and I welded the new ends on the wishbones I modified the outer trunnions on and have had no problems.
David Billington

BH,

Did you get it sorted , if you need a wishbone i still have one let me know , hopefully you are okay now.

Alan ,

apologies missed the Angle , had to fly to Switzerland next day so had a few things to do , i will try to make the next one and bring some photos

Cheers
Andy
Andy Chaffey

Thanks for the offer, I bought a new wishbone from MGBhive (24 hour courier) fitted it and it passed without issue. I was reluctant to have it welded as it really was coming to pieces and may have required brazing, wasn't comfortable with that.
Pluss when I cut the kingpin ot the threads were almost flat, glad I replaced it really.
BH Harvey

This thread was discussed between 24/08/2011 and 31/08/2011

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