Starting the replacement of the cracked MG Midget front suspension lower arm

[@jeremybarham5830]

I like hearing the birds in the background! You had a wood pigeon earlier on. Makes me nostalgic for the British countryside...

[@JerryMotorsport]

The birds are lovely. Just the crows that were particularly loud when I was filming the introduction.

[@leeshaw8923]

Great to see a new video. I was getting a bit concerned, thinking you weren't going to do any more! Looking forward to the next one.

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thanks so much Lee. It has been so difficult this lockdown to get into the garage; but I finally managed when restrictions eased. Hoping to be getting videos out every couple of weeks as before.

[@bisonuberti]

Wow... Jerry, you really have your work cut out for you. I thought I caught a glimpse of where you placed the jack in front of the MG. I think it is an excellent idea to replace most of the exhausted parts in the front suspension. With your racing enthusiasm it may possibly snap while forcing a turn. Nice to hear from you again... stay safe and good luck with the front end rebuild. Cheers.

[@JerryMotorsport]

Yes, this has turned into a marathon task. I couldn’t put the tired old parts back on without first giving them a refresh. Simply wouldn’t do 😆. Plus it gives me more channel content 🤣

[@Angel-LBaena]

great explanations in your videos, i have a midget mklll from 1969. From Barcelona, Spain

[@JerryMotorsport]

Many thanks for your comment; always nice to know what I'm getting right.

[@davidburman451]

Your very patient Jerry ! This job is one of the toughest on a Midget. Great video !

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thank you David. I've since got all the parts off the car but still can't get the king pin separated from the a-arm or the trunnion off the upper arm. My patence is wearing thin as I still try to sort these out and avoid purchasing more new parts.

[@davidburman451]

Hi Jerry.... I'm in Ontario Canada. I've repaired successfully numerous front ends over the years on my own vehicles. My Triumph Spitfire is by far the best to work on. The MGB was stubborn but do able. Even pressing the ball joints out of my 15 year old F150 pickup truck was possible ....they were stuck in in there good but came out. The Midget lower pin that you're working on is the worst. It's been in there for decades and is totally ceased. To make matters worst even if you could free the small lock bolt those cross pins are threaded into the old A arm. Guarranteed it will not budge. You've got the A arms so perhaps new king pins are the best way. As for the upper trunnion will likely need to be gently heated and pounded out....not cherry red just hot. A propane torch is enough. That said you could use torches on the old A frame...avoiding the king pin you wish to save the once in a vice you could get it free but of course the lower cross pin will need to be replace. Im currently restoring a /75 Spitfire and just aquired my brothers / 74 Midget he bought new in 74. I couldnt pass it up less about 45,000 miles always Brit mechcanic serviced. My brother has never done so much as an oil change himself ! But it has sat for many years and although solid now has rust eating the hood and appearing in door posts. It was Ziebarted when new so that helped and never winter driven on our salted roads. My guess is when I start working on it next year I will have all the issues you're encountering and more. You channel is a great refresher to prepare myself. Many thanks DB

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thanks David; I'm edging towards a new kingpin more and more each day. Really wanted to crack it and share how I did it for others to benefit. At least the a-arm on the other side can stay attached to the kingpin (for now) as I'm only replacing the upper arm (new Frontline kit going on both sides) and the bushes (to poly). Glad the channel is a good refresher. I can refer back to my own videos in a few years time when my memory fails.

[@brucecox4200]

Yes those Frontline top arm bushes do wear, as they have no way of being lubricated. When I fitted my Midget with a supercharged AE111 engine I fitted Jonathan Heaps, proper double wishbone front suspension with adjustable coil over shock and ball jointed alloy front upright, which gets rid of the old king pins. It also has alloy front hubs fitted with tapper roller bearings and 260mm dia vented front brake disks and alloy 4 pot calipers. He does also do a kit with 240mm dia vented disks and 4 pots to fit under the original 13" wheels.

[@JerryMotorsport]

Bruce, that sounds like an awesome Midget and I've not come accross the Jonathan Heaps offering; sounds like a future option worth looking into. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best..

[@awalk5177]

That bottom pin (through the king pin) I think is quite soft metal and should be able to be drilled out with a fine drill . Its easier on the bench if you can get the wishbone disconnected. It would be great if we could afford to install a lift and work standing. It looks like a complete strip down on your hands, but it will be great when its done. Best of luck.

[@JerryMotorsport]

I've since managed to get the wishbone off (coming in the next episode) and now have it on the bench. Have been hitting with a punch and hammer with no sucess. Been sat in chemical rust remover but not yet tried it again. Going to try and press out the pin next then, yes, on to the drilling-out method. Going to be fantastic when it's all done, performance and aesthetics.

[@awalk5177]

@@JerryMotorsport Well done. I am only remembering 40 years ago when I did this work. Now I have a another restored Midget and looking forward to warm weather. I'm looking forward to the next video.

[@charlesv20]

Very interesting , thanks!

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thanks Charles; this was the thin edge of the wedge that resulted in a complete rebuild of the front suspension.

[@ericlawson1362]

Really nice video, thank you so much!

[@JerryMotorsport]

Thank you for your feedback Eric.

[@davidweston4007]

Are you trying to say you used this in competition ?. My Midget suspensions were stripped and rebuilt through the winter ,everything ( threads) coated in copper grease, save lots of time 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@JerryMotorsport]

Yes I used to compete in the Midget; probably around eight years ago. Been trying to get the car back into competitions but keep finding things to deal with. The front suspension has always knocked on heavy bumps so known no different. Guess it’s been like this for ages. Will be re-assembling with future disassembly in mind!

[@rangersasc]

Good video, i wish you had 1 removing the steering wheel and indicator switch i cant find anything on here on that.

[@JerryMotorsport]

Hi Raymond, I recently replaced the indicator switch but it was before I started the channel. To get it off remove the plastic cover around the column (4 screws on underside) then if I recall correctly there is just a bolt holding the switch on to the column and the multi-plug to disconnect. Steering wheel should be a case of removing the centre of the steering wheel and undoing the nut. You’ll likely then to need a puller to remove the wheel from the shaft. You don’t need to remove the wheel to change the switch. Good luck!

[@rangersasc]

@@JerryMotorsport Thanks a bunch