MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Things that go clonk in the night

I am at my wits' end again. For the last year or so the car has made an annoying noise. When I brake in reverse there is a clonk as the car comes to a stop. It also does it forwards but more quietly. After it happens, if I reverse and brake again it doesn't do it. It seems that something is shifting, and once shifted it stops until I brake going forwards, and then it shifts the other way.

My glamorous assistant assures me it comes from the n/s front. It occasionally occurs when reversing and turning, with the steering to the right, but not braking. I have checked every fastener on the suspension, steering and brakes. Not very long ago I fitted a new damper on that side, so today I swapped it for the old one, and of course the noise is still there. I don't like strange noises associated with brakes, but the calliper is perfectly secure, the pads are good, and braking is absolutely fine. There is no play anywhere in the front suspension. No clonks or rattles when driving along.
Les Rose

Les,

My Cousin years ago had similar on his MGB- I know the suspension is different but we only found the cause when I overhauled the Left front suspension for other reasons.
The bottom wishbone is made up of two pressed arms and the inner one had an elongated hole where the through bolt passed through holding the stub axle in position.
Only moved when going from ahead to reverse and it was not found even after pretty extensive checking by various garages.
I would double check your fulcrum pins with a pry bar and the inner wishbone bushes similarly.
Anti roll bar mounts good ?

R.
richard b

I was thinking the inner lower fulcrums can be a problem with the larger washers and the holes they fit in wearing, worth checking anyway.
David Billington

Thanks guys. Inner wishbone bushes are tight, nothing moving there. Antiroll bar mountings and links are all good. I'll have yet another look at the outer fulcrums.
Les Rose

Les,

The lower inner fulcrum pins can be done up tight but still have wear in the large washers and the holes in the chassis webs, a pry bar between wishbone and chassis would help detect if there is any.
David Billington

It was the outer fulcrum. Would you believe it? The cotter pin was missing. I suppose if the nut comes off it would work loose. Hard to see under all the old grease and muck. So the kingpin was sliding back and forth, the cork washers having disappeared. Rather annoyingly, I have spares in stock but not a new fulcrum pin, which is slightly worn. I recall that when I replaced these in the 1970s they were made of bronze. For decades I have only seen steel ones.
Les Rose

Glad you found it so quickly.

If you mean by fulcrum pin, the double threaded pin they have always been steel - I believe they are heat treated and hardened.

R.
richard b

This thread was discussed on 29/04/2024

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS now