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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Front end rebuild questions

I've started building up the front end of the Frogeye and have some questions (I've checked the archive but not found definitive answers).

1. My kingpin kit (bought some time ago and bushes are reamed for my stub axles) contains two rubber seals, one rounded, one flat. The rounded one seems to fit below the lower bush and snugs in- correct? The flatter one seems to fit on top of the upper bush i.e. under the large washer. If this is the case, will tightening the upper nut not squash it too much?

2. My trunnions are original, cleaned and painted but roughish and uneven on the inside. Does this matter or should I get them smoother to allow the rubber bushes to snug in better? General alignment seems good.

3. I bought new spring bump stops but couldn't get the first one in. Tried heating, fairy liquid, jacking it then finally tore it using a screwdriver. About £4 up the Swaney. So put the old one back in - no problem. Is there a technique?
Bill Bretherton

The flat o-ring fits around the top of the lower bush to seal the bottom of the dust tube.
Paul Walbran

Hi From the description you have the later disk brake kingpin? The original frog eye one just has one cork seal at the bottom of the kingpin. The two seals are fitted as Paul describes.

providing the trunnions have nothing sharp to damage the rubber then they will be fine. I ran a small flap wheel round mine.

Repro parts again by the sound of it. I retained the original bump stops!
Bob Beaumont

What Paul says.

The trunnions often seem rough on the inside. Presumably due to corrosion, with moisture between the rubber and the trunnion. ISTR using a small flapwheel to clean them up.

I’ve never tried fitting new bumpstop rubbers, so can’t comment. With the old ones, swarfega works well.

Edit: Bob beat me to it.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks Paul, Bob and Dave. Yes, disc brake king pins Bob. I'd tried the flat seal at base of dust tube and it seemed wrong but I'll put it back there. The Moss diagram is misleading.

This modern poor quality rubber thing is annoying. I might use original engine and gearbox mounts if they seem sound enough.
Bill Bretherton

Bill
The lower king pin bush should sit slightly proud of the swivel axle at the top allowing the flat rubber seal to sit over it. The the lower king pin telescopic cover holds it in place.
Bob Beaumont

Thanks Bob, that makes sense.
Bill Bretherton

This thread was discussed between 19/03/2020 and 20/03/2020

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