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MG MGA - bent kingpin and steering arm

My front end overhaul is proving to be a lot more work than anticipated, but it needed to be done. Turns out I have a bent passenger side kingpin and steering arm - presumably from when the car was in an accident 45 years ago.

Here's a couple of pictures:

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2474/sany0141ig3.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1816/sany0140xb7.jpg

I had two knowledgeable people tell me that this is very dangerous, though it's been that way probably for decades. Can I use any MGA kingpin/steering arm from the passenger side or were there significant differences for different years?

I have a '62 MkII.

Thanks,

Darian
Darian Henderson

Answered my own question. Apparently the older steering levers won't clear the disk brakes and newer levers won't work with the old knuckles...

http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/fs106.htm

Darian Henderson

I have straightened a couple of swivel pins over the years with help of the blue wrench and a BFH. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/fs204.htm
It's a little tricky to get perfectly straight, but maybe easier than disassembling the thing for replacement. Good idea to crack check the part before putting it back into service.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks, but is it safe to do this? I was thinking about trying to buy a replacement knuckle/lever/swivel pin combo off of someone locally...
Darian Henderson

These forged parts are pretty tough, so they can often take a beating (or bending) without fracture. As long as it doesn't have any cracks after straightening it should be fine. Most of the parts on these cars are about 50 years old and still serviceable, so good used ones should be fine as well. In any case it's a good idea to have any repaired or replacement parts crack checked before use.
Barney Gaylord

The bent steering arm should be no problem to re-use as is. The kingpin has probably worn the trunnions unevenly if it has been bent for 40 years. Finding a replacement knuckle may not be easy, and the existing one will be fine anyway.

I'd replace the kingpin and the trunnions on that side. Any workshop can press the kingpin out of the knuckle once the steering arm is pressed out. Get them to press in the new kingpin for you.

If the new trunnions are too expensive, I have a few used ones in good condition, so drop me a mail if you need a replacement. I also have a pair of front knuckles /stub axles with kingpins and trunnions (from a late car with disc brakes, so same as yours for the mechanics) if you fail to find a set locally.

When all is done, don't forget to have the wheel alignment set by a workshop - easy to do, and makes a world of difference to handling and tyre wear.
dominic clancy

Now that you mention it, all the trunnions came off easily except the bottom one on the side this kingpin came off of. It took three people to get it loose.

I know someone locally who's parting out an MGA who says he has this part. I will definitely shoot you an email if this doesn't pan out.

As for alignment, I was going to go the poor man's route with two boards and a tape measure. Anyone tried this?

Thanks,

Darian
Darian Henderson

DARIEN'
I was stationed in France and my wife wanted a car of her own. We purchased a new 1960 Renault Dauphine for the great sum of $851.00 and we had to pick it up in Paris at the factory.Two months later we were in Italy and pulled in to a Renault dealer for the 2000 K service that included wheel alignment. They used an 8' long board and pressed it against the rear wheel,then straightened out the front wheel to match the board.Then moved the board to the other side and measured the toe-in. A small adjustment was made then. Well 60.000 k's later the tires were still like new.
So much for the board work.
P.S. we made an average of 45 miles per gallon over that period.
Sandy
Sandy Sanders

The alignment check will not cost a lot, and the tyre- wear reduction and handling improvements gained by having it spot on are more than worth the cost if you can afford it. Can't imagine it costing more than $30
dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2008 and 15/01/2008

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