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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Wiper ball Joint

Hi,
Just bought an early (2002) TF First time out in the rain and the offside wiper did not work!
Under the bonnet I noticed the wiper ball joint had come adrift. Tried to re-fix it with a short length of wire, It worked for 5 minutes then the plastic ball joint snapped off!

Any ideas how to fix it would be welcomed.

Mike

M King

If the balljoint has snapped off replacing the linkage assembly is the usual fix, sadly the 'repair' solutions like DKT000010 would only be appropriate if the balljoints are intact but just too loose to be reliable.

The motor is an easy swap from one linkage to another so it's not necessary to buy a linkage assembly complete with motor. Fitting isn't too tricky, the clutch slave cylinder needs to be loosened so it can be moved aside to allow the linkage past, but you can do that without disturbing the hydraulics. There's a locknut on one of the splines that the wiper arm attaches to that needs a large adjustable spanner, but otherwise it's not too challenging.

There are some common issues that MGF & mgtf suffer from, many of which are an easy fix or can be eliminated before they pose a problem so worth checking out some of the owner-created websites - Rob Bell's site is a very useful resource - http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/
bandit

Repair Kits DKT000010 (Plastic Ball Joints) or DKT000010UR (Metal Ball Joints) are available from http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk for £50 and £65 resp. however you need to remove the complete mechanism to fit the steel kit.
Geoff F
Geoff Farthing

great write up in this months EMG on replacing wiper linkage on a MGTF. Not sure if that helps Mike. you can go on line at MGOC for a digital version.
s a miller

Thanks chaps,
I mistakenly wrote the ball joint had snapped, but should have said the Cup had snapped (it's plastic!) off the end of the linkage rod.
Geoff writes a replacement ball joints for £50-£65 are available, but that seems a high price to pay for such a small item.
Anyone know of a source for 2nd hand mgf bits?
Meanwhile I'll have a look at Rob Bell's site.

Mike
M King

The DKT000010 repair kit can be found at a lower price - for example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGF-MGTF-WIPER-LINKAGE-KIT-GENUINE-MG-PART-DKT000010-/130593628011?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e67fc9f6b and as Geoff notes, can be fitted without removing the whole assembly. The ball joints are the only common issue with the wipers (unless you leave out the black plastic finishing panel, which will gravely shorten the life of the motor) so perhaps that's the smart option - secondhand assemblies even if working perfectly when removed by highly-principled MGF/MGTF breakers will have a degree of wear already so remaining lifespan hard to predict.

The choice of sources for secondhand parts is huge, from the long-established MGF Centre to private owners discovering their car is worth more in bits 8-/ The most competitive pricing is often found on eBay, and reliability of those sellers is easier to determine than some other 'Part Finder' services.
bandit

Thanks again Bandit,
I found the listing on ebay along with several other vendors of the same part, managed to 'Buy it now' for £25 including delivery.

Contains fitting instructions too!
M King

Thanks again Bandit,
I found the listing on ebay along with several other vendors of the same part, managed to 'Buy it now' for £25 including delivery.

Contains fitting instructions too!
Must say,what a great BBS this is.
Thanks again,

Mike
M King

This thread was discussed between 31/12/2011 and 02/01/2012

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.