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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Spitfire disk/ MGB caliper conversion info needed!

Hi

I'm making progress!
I have made the disk spacer and have trial fitted to car.
I have two issues.

1. top of disc fouls the frontline arm...



d cusworth

2. calliper casting interferes with centre of disc (note improved spelling!)


d cusworth

for issue 1, I think I read in a book somewhere it is possible to space the trunion. does anyone have any experience of what is needed? for the disc /calliper problem, i guess a small shave is required...
d cusworth

can you radius the F/line arm so it's the same profile as the top trunnion? Does it still make contact with the car on it's wheels? - might only be marginal contact on full droop?
David Smith

Hi David,

In my haste, in the Baltic conditions, yesterday I didn't load up the suspension.. I'll double check. In any case, it would require something, as usually, with me at the wheel, i can find myself on full lock and full droop!
d cusworth

Frontline does a top-hat section in ally that sits under the trunion to provide additional spacing. I didn't like it, so I used a brand-new scintered washer what was a bit thicker (and of course additional shims). I also ground away part of the top-arm that the disk contacts when wheel turned into corner; I left meat on this part so that the nut had decent clear metal all round.

HTH

A
Anthony Cutler

BTW - I also have a radius on the disk on the inside to clear the trunion... up to where the pad contacts the disk.

A
Anthony Cutler

Danny,

If you want to pop over to Poynton & look at mine with the frontline kit you're more than welcome. Rodders has my mobile number if you've not got it.

David
David Hunt

45 degree radius on the disc inside edge & grind a bit of clearance onto the frontline damper.


Brad 1380

Thanks all. i didn't fit any pads. did you radius or put a back angle on the inside of the disc?

David, who's kit did you use?

thanks again

danny
d cusworth

Hi All,

I have a few questions regarding this set up which you may be able to help me with.

1. The discs that you are using are Triumph Spitfire, are they 9 inch or 9 3/16? It seems that standard Spitfire discs are 9 3/16.

This leads to question 2;
2. Has anyone had any issues with the disc being too close to the track rod end? If the discs supplied in the Frontline kit are machined down to 9 inch exactly, this may explain it.

Thanks guys,

David

David JM

I machined mine to 9", still had to grind a flat on the TRE nut.
Brad 1380

D cusworth,
how you getting on with this?
cheers
Brad

Brad 1380

Brad, its a little awkward, as the 17" lathe in 15 miles from my car, but im making progress..

in this photo, on an old disc, i have taken a little too much away..


d cusworth

I made mine 4 inches, just enough clearance.


Brad 1380

Brad, thank you also for the pic. I am planning on doing my own. So provided I can overcome the steering arm issue, your pic of your spacer is a great help.
David JM

ok making some progress...
did you use the original hoses ?(banjo fitting) or mgb?
d cusworth

Original, though in aeroquip & with a protective spiral wrap.
Brad 1380

thanks brad,
oh, and what would be the recommended method of locking the bolts from the disc to the machined adaptor? i have picked up the Spitfire PCD on one side and the midget hub on the other ( 8 in total)

i guess there was nothing except the correct torque holding the old disc on.. loctite would not survive in these temps, would it?
d cusworth

I tapped into the disc with 4 bolts, used loctite & also a locking nut.
Brad 1380

I have a pair of spacers made to Brad's drawing.

I have the MGB Calipers, now I just need the spitfire discs (remembering to get them machined down to 9" or 228.6mm).

I have a block of bar to space off the steering arm by 5mm.

I will let you know my progress

Shaun
Shaun

Danny

Blue locktite works for me...

A
Anthony Cutler

Ant,

do you still have the kingpin spacers? I have removed alot of the FL arm but would like to lift the trunion up a few mm for additional peace of mind! I have also run out of adjustment on the steering track rods...did somone mention a smaller TRE some time ago?
d cusworth

Hi Danny

I can have a look; remind me if I don't come back to you.

My provider is btinternet; they are a .com.

My addr is first.last@ in the traditional way.

A
Anthony Cutler

Having fitted the FL suspension, I cut off approx 13mm off my steering rack threads each side to allow more adjustment on the tre's. This way I could get the 1mm toe in.
I used the Peter May kit (with MGB calipers) which I believe is based on the Spitfire conversion.


Neil K

I'll get my hacksaw out!
d cusworth

Ive just made my 9" brakes work correctly...

My caliper and disc looked a lot like yours above 'd cusworth'
I didn't resalise but the caliper wasn't central and the brake pad didn't even fit into it's place.

My solution was to grind 0.5mm off the caliper which centralised it nicely - this moved it away from the ali hub.

I added some trunnion spacers and that has moved the top arm clear of the brakes - lock to lock the it clears the TRE - however I'm still bare of wings and bonnet etc - so the extra weight might make a difference.

Jon
Jon White

well its sort of done.
1.5 deg toe out and the track control arms bottom in the ball joints...

needs bleeding again (long pedal)

m/c pushrod needs shortening slightly (pedal a little high)

disc fouls trunion on full lock (did you find any spacers ant?)

apart from that all sorted.!

thanks to all for input..
d cusworth

BTW what pads for racing are req? i had 1155 with std discs would you get away with 1144?
d cusworth

This thread was discussed between 07/03/2011 and 29/03/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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