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MG MGF Technical - Wishbones - Not chicken

On Saturday on a long country drive the drivers side lower wishbone broke. Today at using a hoist I found the other side cracking from fatique. They are not corroded as that is not a problem over here. There don't seem to be any new ones at hand in Australia so might have to go second hand ( Japenese cars with low KM are cut in half and brought over for parts as they cannot be registerd in Australia ).
This is the first car I have heard of over here with this problem, how common is it in Europe?
Andrew W Regens

Corrosion is the only issue I've come across, as the design has a tendency to retain water in between the sheets. Rot tends to be worst on the topside centre section, and can be missed on MOT inspections as it's not easily visible, but even then I'm not aware of any significant failure rate. Arguably the stresses on the F should be less than in the front-engined Metro application, so I'd say you're very unlucky 8-/

The uprated versions used on the Cup cars are as far as I know standard items with additional welding along the seams, so that may be worth doing when you find a replacement. Hope you're back out in the sunshine without too much delay...
bandit

I've heard of wishbones failing due to fatigue, caused by the bushes seizing and putting undue stress on the arm. Usually it's poly bushes (rather than the standard bush) that have not been lubricated properly during installation - In fact, I believe the bush design was changed to ensure sufficient grease is retained in the bush and stop it drying out.
Mark

Mark, Thats interesting as I do have and have for some 4 years poly bushes all round. Still trying to find wishbones.
Andrew W Regens

Andrew,

you have email..
Branko
Branko

Have found S/Hand from low KM Japanese F. Will be back on the road tomorrow.
Andrew W Regens

This thread was discussed between 20/10/2008 and 21/10/2008

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