Once again, I want to thank the list for all the fantastic advice on my
front suspension and brake refurbishment. I've driven 50 miles on the
rebuild so far and am almost ready to admit success. :) However, there
are a couple of things.
I hear an intermittant "chirp" from the front end. Only while in motion,
but both while braking and not braking. It's not loud, it's not constant.
In fact, I usually can only hear it at speeds of about 25 mph and below.
Otherwise road and wind noise drown it out.
Three thoughts:
1) Wheel bearings - what do those sound like when they are not right? I
did replace them at the same time as the bushings and brake job and there
doesn't seem to be that much you can do wrong in installing them.
2) Brake pad squeal - to get a better fit, I had to file down the backing
on one pad on each side. There is now no anti-squeal coating on the back
of these pads nor are there any shims. I'm betting on this one and may get
the shims or new pads from a better source so I don't have to file them
down so much.
3) Some totally unrelated metal rubbing against metal up in the front
somewhere.
Any thoughts list?
Second issue. Now the car pulls to the left as one goes down the road.
It's not a matter of pulling left while braking. Seems like I need my
front end aligned. With a Midget, how much adjustment can one do? I'm
almost afraid that I've brought this upon myself as the driver's side is
the one that had the funky bushings in it - the holes for the fulcrum pins
on the inner A-arm being off center on the bushings. If I take it to a
decent shop - not necessarily an MG specialist, will they be able to
correct my alignment problem?
Thanks for any further advice on these issues.
BTW, I =really= need to get those rear bushings changed up - the car
literally jumps from lane to lane on hitting bumps and I can see the rubber
almost completely deteriorated. Maybe this weekend.
Philip
Burgundy 1974 Midget
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