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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - polybush fitting

hi I've just got a new polybush kit. just wondering if there are any tips or pitfall to take into account I start or is it as straight forward as it looks.
as always, thanks in advance.
p sewell

P. If you are replacing the inner wishbone bushes, just insert the pair of bushes on the inner legs of the wishbone into the wishbone itself before reassembly. If you insert all four bushes, it is difficult to fit the wishbone to the car. The ones on the outer legs of the wishbone will fit through the holes in the brackets once the wishbone is in place, and then you just slide the bolts in.

Also, don't tighten these up fully until the car is back on the ground, otherwise they will twist and the bushes will be stressed as you lower the car.

Jonathan
Jonathan 1972 1275 RWA

make sure everything is as clean as possible. If there is any muck it will find its way into the bushes or stick to the anti seize compound. have a pack of plasters ready for your knuckles! finger tight bolts and bounce the car up and down once its off the jacks to let everything settle into the right place before you torque it up.
Nick Sayle

hi, thanks for your input, just another quick question, should there be much of a change in the ride quality, mainly round corners and does anyone have an opinion on red or blue polybushes. I'm having second thoughts on getting blue ones and need to decide obviously, before I fit them.
p sewell

I've just fitted blue bushes to my K series midget. It has really improved the feel of the car. I didn't go for red ones as my understanding is that they are harder still and more suited to track use. I wanted a compromise between handling and comfort.
Neil (K series)

I've fitted the blue ones and they are fine for road use.
However the 'Polybush' top trunnion bushes are rubbish !
They do not have washers on each side and exuded from the side of the nut. Polybush never bothered to phone back when I chased them up over the problem several times. Said fit a washer if you want ! - told them it was there design liability to get it right ! Still waiting for call 2 years - good customer service (not).

Eventually fitted Superpro ? yellow ones from Australia - they had washers etc and fitted well for the trunnions.

R.
richard boobier

we're doing the same day! how are the knuckles? I am using the Aussie ones too. at least each bush comes as a set. I decided there were a few people at Polybush that didn't have a clue.


Nick Sayle

sorry nick, had to let the side down,the kids are at a camp for the weekend so my wife wanted to go to the metro centre, by the time i got back it was too late to start, i may do it on monday. let me know how yours turns out, good luck. Paul
p sewell

Can be hard to get the wishbone in even with just the inner bushes in place - a pair of paint scrapers can help just ease everything into place.

Some pics from my front suspension overhaul inc. polybushes here...
http://www.eatworms.me.uk/index.php/mg-midget/projects/74-midget-frontsuspension
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Just to add to the use of paint scrapers. A smear of copper grease on the scarapers helps.
Alan Anstead

Not a hard job, just use generous amounts of the bushing grease that comes in the kits.

I installed the red bushings for road use & am completely satisfied with the results.

Depending on the condition of your old rubber bushings (mine were completely useless), the results can be transforming!

Dave :)
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

Just got in from my first test drive having changed both front wishbones, lower fulcrum pins 30% up rated shocks a mixture of blue poly's on the inner bones and red on the shock mounts. Lowering springs fitted so it is now slightly lower than a standard chrome bumper version. It is a totally different car to drive now and I am going to have to learn new limits, but it might wait until my back is better! On my normal run to my local shop (8 miles) I was able to take some of the corners at considerably higher speed without even noticing. Its a powered roller skate!!! love it all over again!!!!
Nick Sayle

well done nick, I started changing mine on monday but have yet to finish the front wishbone bushes on theoffside. got sore hands now. another quick question. i've seen a 3/4" antiroll bar on ebay is this ok for a 1275 or are they just for the 1500's. by the way nick i'm a physio in my other life so if you need back care advice have a drive up !
p sewell

Yeah, I saw the 3/4"anti roll bar. Yes it would really tighten up the front end but from my experience with my GT it makes the back a bit out of balance with the front unless you do stuff to that as well. If you go for it don't forget you will need the larger bushes and it might be worth changing the drop links at the same time. When you drive your car with the new bushes fitted you will feel a major change if your old rubber ones where tired. So try it first. I have been thrashing about the lanes today with a massive grin today. The only front end play I have now is in the side walls of the tyres. I am off to see my friend (toolmaker) to get him to make up a pair of negative camber top trunion's tomorrow. He's a clever lad and said he could compensate for the extra low ride height I now have. He understands fulcrums and pivot points and clever stuff. He makes proto type stuff for military vehicles in Malvern so they should be bomb proof!
Nick Sayle

b4 and after


Nick Sayle

thanks for the advice folks, just been out, fantastic so much more stable into corners and sits just right, cheers.
p sewell

Hey Nick, your car looks cool. How did you make your grille?
Neil (K series)

The grill is made from a single sheet of Halfords aluminium stuff. There was enough to do the lower grill opening where the oil cooler is going. £24.99 and a fiver for a good pair of tin snips at a car boot sale. I love the way it has turned out. I have just had some negative camber upper trunion's made for me by a tool maker by a guy who works for an MOD research centre in Malvern in his lunch break. I have yet to fit them as the weather has been a bit rough and other things have needed doing. I am going to fit an early 70's grill but that can wait until I have sorted out a few other things first. MGB indicator lights new for a tenner each will replace the RB ones that I have temporarily bodged. My biggest mistake has been to braze the seams between the valance and the wings. I will have to grind that out next time I need to remove the wings. It handles like a go kart now!!
Nick Sayle

This thread was discussed between 01/05/2010 and 08/05/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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