There is a guide to checking front suspension and brakes at
http://www.cgl.rmit.edu.au/~mg/cars/goblins/tech/frontend.htm
It is a pretty good Q&A guide to checking what might be wrong and
is helpful to non-experts in distinguishing between different problems.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Ulix Goettsch <ulix@u.washington.edu>
To: Philip Hubbard <phubbard@carroll.com>
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 1998 8:18 AM
Subject: Re: Clunking - Suspension (continued)
>Philip,
>
>If your front wheels have 1/16" of play at the top of the tire, your
>suspension is probably better than new :)
>Lube it and leave it.
>Don't rush into a major kingpin/A-arm replacement job. It is expensive
>and may not be needed. You could check the condition of the inner A-arm
>bushings and the trunnion bushings. How are the tie rod ends?
>
>If you want to spend money, look at your shocks and consider new ones (not
>rebuilds) if refilling the old ones doesn't work.
>
>On the rear, I would replace all the rubber parts and inspect the springs
>for broken leafs (leaves?) as suggested. I have not heard many good
>things about new leaf springs so keep yours if they are allright.
>
>Ulix
>
>
>On Mon, 25 May 1998, Philip Hubbard wrote:
>
>> Did a bit more inspecting of the '74 Midget looking for the reason it
>> sometimes clunks on deceleration or acceleration. Seems I might have
>> suspension issues both front and back.
>>
>> Front:
>>
>> Did the wheel rock test as per Haynes. Rocked the wheel with hands in
the
>> 12:00 and 6:00 positions. Both front wheels rock slightly. By slightly
>> I'd say there is about 1/16" or a bit more play in each of the wheels. I
>> didn't see any other play among the bushes, etc so I'm thinking kingpin?
>> Reading up on all this makes it sound tricky and I may just have it
looked
>> at professionally. There are just some areas that one wants to be sure of
>> and besides it would be a good time for a pro to inspect the brakes.
>> Another area which must be spot on.
>>
>> Rear:
>>
>> Here a visual inspection gives me the feeling the springs should be
>> replaced. Whereas the front looks clean and rust free (must have been
done
>> recently) the rear springs and u-bolts etc look very rusty. The rubber
>> bushings at the rear are very deteriorated also. Another odd thing. The
>> two springs don't look the same! Could this be why the car is so jumpy?
:)
>> What I mean is this. The passenger's side is 5 leaves thick at the
>> thickest. In between each of these 5 thick leaves appears to be a very
>> thin leaf. On the driver's side there are no such thin leaves. Now the
>> rear seems easier to replace. I think I could handle that job. Any
advice
>> on what I need to make sure I replace at the same time as the leaves? I
>> would plan on doing the leaves and any rubber bushes. Do I really need
to
>> do u-bolts or any of the other parts?
>>
>> Thanks for reading so far in if you made it this far. And thanks for any
>> advice.
>>
>> Philip
>> Burgundy 1974 Midget
>>
>
> Ulix __/__,__
>.......................................................... (_o____o_)....
> '67 Sprite
>
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