Fitting new front suspension parts, including the Frontline Developments kit, to the 1275 MG Midget

In this episode we finally get the replacement lower wishbone fitted to our 1973 MkIII MG Midget. We also fit the new Frontline Developments front suspension kit to replace the very old and worn out kit along with SuperPro bushes to the lower arm and trunnion.
Yet more Bilt Hamber products in this episode with the use of Dynax-S50 extreme duty anti-corrosion wax for cavities, voids and long term protection.
We have a few problems getting the kingpin fitted; possibly due to some manufacturing tolerances on the components and inadvertently fit the trunnion 180º out of position. This gets spotted once we finished the installation and heart-breakingly have to part disassemble it to rectify.
Bilt Hamber DO NOT sponsor us, but we love their products. You can find the Dynax-S50 that we used here: www.bilthamber...
The Frontline Developments front suspension kit can be found here (also not a sponsor): frontlinedevel...
Thanks for watching and please give us like, if indeed to you did, and leave any comments you may have to help us improve the channel or to let us know things you want to know about the car or see being done.
You can also follow us / contact us on Instagram at / jereemohterspawrt

[@bisonuberti]

Good work Jerry... especially with the die set re-threading. I panicked when I saw the bolts aligned crookedly. Looks like it will handle the corners more aggressively.

[@JerryMotorsport]

To be honest I panicked a little when that wasn’t going back together right but running the tap and die on the treads sorted it beautifully. The car had the same (albeit older) suspension setup previously; it does corner better than the standard shock arm setup. Next video is the bearing upgrade which will help the car cope with the side loads better.

[@caly5328]

I added this kit to my 61 bugeye with mgb calipers and spitfire rotors kit

[@JerryMotorsport]

The Frontline suspension kit is good. I'd like to get their big brake upgrade and potentially do the rear disc conversion too. Down side it might put me in a different class for my competitions. Thanks for watching!

[@markturner7168]

I’d change the grub screw in the top arm to a bolt if you can as they seize in no time. Maybe a large dose of wax would help too

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thanks Mark, that's not a bad idea. Area did get a good dose of wax and I think I had copper grease in there too. Old ones were replaced so I never tried to take the old ones out. Thanks for watching!

[@tremere613]

Love your videos!!! Am I mistaken in that you could have installed the springs by just removing the spring pan and used the “long bolt method”? Thank you so much for uploading! Can’t wait to see the next video!

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thanks very much for your comment. Yes, I could have removed and reinstalled the springs by using the (official) ‘long-bolt method’ on the spring-seat bolts as described in the manual. But as I was totally dismantling the whole suspension, the ‘A-arm drop method” was quicker and easier. I’d use the long-bolt method I think if I was just changing the spring; so I didn’t have to faff about with the kingpin.

[@martinhibbert1428]

I was sitting watching the video saying to myself I’m sure that trunnions on the wrong way round 👍

[@JerryMotorsport]

Ten points to you Martin, you were right! I was so annoyed with myself when I spotted it at the very end. I was telling myself “kingpin behind the trunnion bolt” when I dry fitted it; but when I fitted the bushes with the grease I put the trunnion bolt in the wrong way into the trunnion which then led to the error. I had originally included a caption in the edit pointing out I’d realised I made a mistake but I decided to change it to a confession at the end instead. Hopefully I’ll get the other side right first time.

[@martinhibbert1428]

@@JerryMotorsport Easy done I did both of mine the wrong way round, got as far as bolting the wheels back on and putting it back on the ground. It didn’t look right ! In my defence I did take the car apart in 1995 !

[@rodshop5897]

Do you have experience with the non-Frontline suspension? I've got a 71 with original suspension, and have been wondering if I would like to convert mine over. Will be interested to hear your thoughts once you get it back on the road.

[@JerryMotorsport]

Hi, our car has always had the frontline suspension, but I’ve competed against standard suspension Midgets and the steering is better with the upgrade as there is greater negative camber. The standard cars always looked like they were trying to pull their tyres off the rims 🙂. I’d also say the upgrade is more rigid so the top mount is less prone to forward-backward movement under braking. So, if you are intending to throw you car into corners, I’d say the upgrade is worth considering; but it is expensive. Have been interested in doing a comparison (perhaps I should do that sometime)..

[@rodshop5897]

@@JerryMotorsport For me, the only complaint I have about the standard front suspension is the 'judder' the car has when going over harsh bumps. Always makes me think of that one tiny arm on top carrying all the torsion and combined forces. Probably just my thinking too much about it. Our car is more cruiser and occasional spirited corners on back roads, so I don't really need to improve road holding. A comparison would be pretty cool.

[@duncanwilson9020]

Does the Frontline suspension require greasing every so often? I am working on a 1970 mgb gt mk3 and am thinking about the conversion for ease of maintenance.

[@JerryMotorsport]

Hi Duncan, the version I purchased of the front suspension kit has aircraft style bearings (forget the fancy name for the type) which do not require a regular grease application. In fact the instructions make it very clear to apply NOTHING to these bearings. The version of the arm I was replacing had no grease nipple which was odd so must have been pre the addition of grease nipples. Frontline said that they were making the change to the (fit and forget) aircraft bearings as people didn't grease the joint and the arms would wear out. I assume they have also moved to these bearings on their other kits. Good luck with your MGB.

[@mblaber2000]

Are you sure it’s not German made? It seems to respond only to force.

[@JerryMotorsport]

😮. Thanks for watching 😊