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From: mgs-owner
To: mgs
Subject: kingpin problem
Date: Monday,November 20,1995 9:09PM
hi fellow enthusiasts,
i've been a reader of the mgs list for a few months, and am ready to solicit
some input on a couple of problems with my brg '68 b. i've been driving it
daily for 2 1/2 years (except when it's raining in the morning). i guess
i've been putting 10 to 12,000 miles a year since the purchase / restoration
to show / driver condition in the spring of 93. it's a true joy, runs like
a
top, handles like a dream with new chrome wires / dunlops this summer, and
it
even made queen b in early 94. it's my fifth mg - 66, 67, 68 b's and a 69
c.
only have the one 68 b now, and i really regret selling the 67 (divorce
casualty) because i'd really like to have the steel dash, toggle switches,
and eared knock offs - i'll keep looking.
about a year ago, in an effort to stop some of the front end clumping while
braking, i tightened suspension and brake nuts (without success - putting
the
new chrome wire wheels on this summer fixed the clumping problem). one was
the large nut on top of the kingpin. after my tightening effort, it was
more difficult to turn the steering wheel. later when i changed the tie
rod
ends, i noticed that the right wheel mechanism binds, so it does not turn
left and right freely, making the steering tight. i've tried loosening that
top nut on the kingpin and greasing the suspension with no improvement. a
bit
aggra- vating after the complete suspension rebuild during the restoration.
i've been driving it with the harder steering for about a year now and i
figure it's time to fix it.
my question is, before i dismantle the right front suspension and take the
kingpin apart, does anybody know something i'm missing that will loosen up
that binding kingpin ? what do i fix after i take things apart ?
***********
There are spacers (washers) that determine the endfloat of the kingpin. If
you have too many it binds, to few and it floats. Maybe it's the other way
around but you get what I mean
the second is a long term problem with the speedo. i put a new cable in
during the restoration. didn't work. identified that the right angle drive
was the problem but took a year and a half to decide to spend all the money
for a new one (just used the tach for speed estimate in 4th). The right
angle drive fixed the speedo for exactly 32 miles and then it quit again.
after another six months, yesterday i did some trouble- shooting, and the
inside of the right angle drive is rounded out again.
questions - is there a fix for the rounded out drive or just another $100
new
one ? the cable doesn't seem to bind, it turns freely with an electric
drill, but not just with my fingers. could the speedo itself cause enough
binding to ruin the right angle drive ? i can't decide whether to have the
speedo rebuilt, replace the cable, and the right angle drive, or what. any
ideas would be appreciated. thanks in advance for the help. safety fast.
**********
The cable should spin freely with your fingers. It is possible that your
speedo or a kink in the cable is causing the binding. Usually, from what
I've heard the angle pieces eath their gears and die. I never heard of one
rounding out
Chris
rick huber
'68 b
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