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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Early rack - ball joint play.

I think I've got some movement in the rack ball joint on my early rack. Looking around online it looks like you can buy the seat separately, is it this that wears?

Any experience / thoughts would be appreciated.
Jeremy Cogman

It is shim adjustable, try removing some shims first.
Paul Walbran

Thanks Paul.

Looking at the diagrams (and dragging up memories from long past gaiter changes) do I need a C spanner to get the housing apart?
Jeremy Cogman

Yes. And as the male part of the housing is quite thin and difficult to grip, it can help to make a pair of small flats on opposite side to help hold it.
Paul Walbran

Sorry, meant to add: if you don't have access to/can't make the 18G312 tool for the job.
Paul Walbran

Paul thanks for the continued help, I think I need to dig out my spare rack and have a closer look. However a few more questions if you don't mind (or anyone else of course):

i) The inner joints clearly screw in to the rack, how are they removed? If you unscrew with the same C sppaer without holding the male part does the whole joint come off the rack?

ii) Are the joints handed, I suspect not as there is no unscrewing force and the parts catalogues don't seem to differentiate but some confirmation would be nice.

iii) Can the joint be disassembled in-situ?

Thanks again.
Jeremy Cogman

Hi Jeremy
Within the limitaions of neing an old fella of failing memory and it being late at night:
i) yes.
ii) no, not handed
iii) usually, but our mate Mr Murphy can have a view on this and poke his oar in!
Paul Walbran

Paul

Many thanks, very useful. In light of (i) then wrt to (iii) it's probably easier to just screw it out and work on it on the bench.
Jeremy Cogman

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2015 and 10/06/2015

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