MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering inner joints

Help. Have had my 1500 midget for almost 4 months now but note on the last MOT in Aug 12. (Previous owner) it states on an advisory Slight play in steering rack inner joints. Have just done a bit of an Internet search which hasn't been precise as to exactly what this means, so popped out to the car with a crowbar and had a good tug - no excessive play really. Car seems to drive ok. Bit noisy over bumps but I kind of expect that. Any ideas what this advisory could refer to (and maybe how I fix it). In my book advisory means needs fixing, not leave it to fail next time!
Ian
I Sterling

There is a ball joint each side inboard of the track rod ends. Could it be those? If you look in the manual you will see the ones I mean.
Moss list this as a "track rod assembly" as opposed to the "track rod end". Unfortunately in their book it's NLS.
I am sure someone here can advise if it's likely the play can be taken up in some way.
G Williams

Prop is the expert on inner ball joints, ISTR ;o)
Dave O'Neill2

yeah...thats going fo be a fun project

if its not bad, maybe just pack it with some thick axle grease a few blocks from the mot station


if you want to.fix it...give me a few hours to.get the info togather...you probably wont need new inner ball joints...just shimming

but its a hidious job

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I did this job many years ago. I seem to recall on the 1500 rack the inner ball joints fit into a spring-loaded nylon cup and these are replaceable. Assuming you can still get them.
The job can be done in situ on the car but as the rack is easy enough to remove its worth doing so just to be able to work at it in comfort on the bench.
Or buy a complete reconditioned exchange rack.
Guy W

Shimming sounds good???
I Sterling

Reconditioned ones from Welsh MG are listed at £45.

OK, a bit more than shims (I think you actually remove shims IIRC, but you would be without the car for rather less time.
Guy W

The bush at the passenger's end can also wear, resulting in movement at the inner joint. You need to grip the ball joint through the gaiter and feel whether the movement is in the ball, or whther it is between the rack bar and the housing. If the latter it is the bush. because the Midget tie rod is at a siginficant angle, there is a reasonable amount of load (and hence wear potential) on this bush.
Paul Walbran

I.cant help on this one...

this is the later triumph rack, I only know about the pre 72 rack

id say if you can get a rebuilt or rebuild another one 1st....then replace, you will be way ahead of the curve

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This project is on my list for Summer 2013. I am intrigued about the previous comment about doing the inner tie rod with the rack in/on the car. Is this practical when replacing ONLY the inner rod end on the drivers side? It looks like a lock tab has to be accessed to remove the inner tie rod...

Thanks for any insight into this project.

Mike
Buffalo, NY
USA
Mike Pelone

This thread was discussed between 08/01/2013 and 09/01/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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