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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - front suspension which washer goes where?

Are there cork washers surrounding the fulcrum pin, and are they the same size? Are there also washers at the top and bottom of the swivel (king pin)? The washers (from Moss) shown in the picture were labeled as front trunnion seals and seem to fit perfectly for the Trunnion and King Pin. I know there are washers around the fulcrum pin, I just don't think these are the ones.

John Campbell

No, there are no cork washers on the kingpin - there are two rubber O-ring seals that go either end of the telescopic middle bit. There is a thick bronze thrust washer at the top that sits inside the top trunnion, and there are small shims that sit on the top of the kingpin to adjust the looseness for steering movement. The cork washers do indeed go on the lower fulcrum pin either side of the kingpin lower eye.
David Smith

There aren't two O-rings on the dust tubes, only a square-section seal under the lower one.

There is, however, an O-ring at the bottom of the kingpin/stub-axle.

Effectively, the square-section seal goes at the top of the lower bush and the O-ring at the bottom of the lower bush.
Dave O'Neill 2

The 2 cork washers (two sizes) go on the outer fulcrum pin, either side of the kingpin
Guy W

my cork washers lasted 5 minutes, ive thrown them away and never missed them


Opps...touching my woody

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks for the clarification, those cork washers are a strange fit, and just out of curiosity, why cork?

John Campbell

Q. Why cork?

Well unlike many things in life, it grows on trees. ;).
Lawrence Slater

As usual Dave covers for my failing memory - thanks!!
David Smith

I think it's not pure cork but a mix of cork and some form of flexible binder like rubber. Seemed to serve the original purpose well but whether what is used now is the same as OE is another matter.
David Billington

Well, now that the cork is out of the bottle, and the bottle empty, let's get on with the job.
John Campbell

Um,,,, i dont have any cork washers on my suspension.. but do have a big thick brass washer at the top.....

I assume they are there to seal slightly the grease around the kingpin/fulcrum pin ? and that as long as apply more grease regularly it shouldnt matter too much ??
Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

They do a pretty poor job of keeping grease in. I think their purpose is more to do with keeping grit out.
Dave O'Neill 2

I used pipe lagging, seems to work pretty well. Thanks to Guy of this parish for the suggestion.
Rob Armstrong

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2014 and 04/12/2014

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