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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Front Damper Top Link Kit

Anyone tried Peter Mays Front Damper Top Link Kit?

Do I have to remove large chunks of bodywork?

Does it have much efect?
David Brenchley

I havent used it but have seen it or similar being used on a Sprint car at Curborough some year ago

It seems to need the inner wing to be cut away, why not ask Peter, he will always answer questions like that and is a good bloke to talk to.

Apologies for some really crap photos, but...


Bill

and...


Bill

i have driven a car fitted with it and is is a good upgrade, but.....

why go this way when you can also go for the FL kit?
no hacking
no more top arm play (the tlk reduces it but does not cure)
no more crappy lever arm shocks
o K�nemann

Historic rally regs mean i've got to keep the lever arms.
David Brenchley

David, it depends on the year of midget, as the brake pipes have (at least) 2 varieties. On my '73 shell the brake pipe to flexi union was through the inner wing exactly where I needed to remove metal so I drilled a new hole further back for the brake pipes. Earlier versions had the pipe union mounted in a bracket at 90 degrees to the wing, I don't know if that would still get in the way.
David Smith

David
I have got it fitted, and it definitely increases stability. Down side is that you have to move the brake pipes, as stated above, as the new link comes through the inner wing at the bulhhead union.
Not something they tell you in the sales blurb.

Dave
Dave Barrow

I can get something made at work much cheaper than the ones shown, using linkage ball joints instead of rod ends. If anyone wants a free set and would do the development work for us I would be very willing to have a chat.
Cheers
Neil
www.illstonandrobson.co.uk
Neil Williams

Neil - I'll play - drop me an E at scuderiablkhole at aol dot com.

Have a 1971 Midget used for historic rallys and a softly tuned 59 frog my wife uses on the road.

David
David Brenchley

I expect Peter May could have got them made much cheaper if somebody did the R + D for nothing.
Nick

David
Would the top link be 'legal' for historic rallying, I am in the process of building the same so would be interested also.
Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

Ian,
Depends how far down the originality line you go - HRCR won't let you use anything that is not period - but if you are doing clubman events you can generally get away with it (also depends how knowledgable the scrut is) - They won't accept my Fiat Dino because it has electronic ignition from 1967 -but thats how it left the factory.....
Will get the books out tonight and see if I can find any info on period top links.
David Brenchley

just had a look at Peter May web site for the top link his one looks like it fits onto the shock or is there a different one,do you still use the rubber bush and a longer bolt or do you use a solid type.
Can't log at work.
Gary
gary

David
I am building 67 for HRCR events.
I am looking for info & photos of any body strengthning that people have done to spridget shells, have you done anything like that to yours?
Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

Bill young and I recently discussed this issue, I am curios as to if there is any noticable performance inprovement for street use, as bill made known your never if rarely going to be pushing your car on the street to the level needed to see a noticable improvement....but agreed it would add to the cool factor of the car,....I currently have the apples and am planning on going with adjustable levers by peter cardwell sometime in the future....which I got to see 1st hand, and was truly im-pressed and have decided to save the huge buckets of cash id have spent at front line and go the peter cardwell direction instead.

prop
Prop

Gary
The extra link is attached to an "L" shaped block that sits on top of the damper. They provide longer bolts for the damper attachment. If you use Peter May Negative camber trunnions, then the top bushes are solid. I found them too harsh for a road car, so reverted to standard trunnions with poly bushes. The Kit has a special Fulcrum pin into the trunnion.
I may at some time try and remove the solid bushes from the negative trunnions to fit poly bushes, anyone know if this is possible, ie is the hole diameter the same as the standard trunnion.

Dave
Dave Barrow

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2008 and 10/07/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.