Moss Motors, Ltd

I recently did my front end. New bushings all around, but I did NOT do the king pin bushings because I had no means to hone them. I did not do an alignment after this work. Currently, my steering is tough to turn, and may want to drift slightly to the left be it not for the tough turning.

I guess my questions are: #1 Are the king pin bushings that critical? #2 Even though I've greased all the fittings, why is turning such a chore? What am I overlooking?

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

davey,

A. Was it tough to turn before all the other work?

B. Did it want to drift to the left before?

C. Did the kingpin bushings seem loose?

Answers to above questions:

#1. Yes.

#2. I dunno.

#3. Perhaps that the steering rack is binding up. Disconnect it from the steering arms and see if it turns easily. It should. While it is disconnected, turn each wheel to see if there is any binding. The only alignment adjustment provided in this car it toe in, or track. Toe in will always equalise itself, and therefore not influence the vehicle to turn one way or the other. However, if the wheels have any significant toe OUT, the rest of the geometry becomes much more sensitive. If there is the slightest castor difference side to side, the car will "take a lead" and you'll find it generally oversensitive to steering and "darty". Got any of that?

The above assumes (with respect to the directional drift) that the tires are not a problem. Moving them about on the car will help diagnose this. Also, try to get a feel for how the car is moving to the side it favors. Is the vehicle just drifting that way? or do you feel the steering wheel actually wanting to take a set in that direction? If it's the wheel, you likely have a front suspension situation. If it's just a general drift, you may have some chassis effect, such as a loose or mislocated rear axle. Let me know what you're thinking.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Ok Doctor...

A. No, it wasn't "tough" to turn. There was allot of play all around and the new bushings took care of the bulk of that. There is still a bit of play in the actual steering however, that is to say that my wheels don't respond until I've turned the steering wheel about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

B. I don't recall it wanting to drift

C. The kingpins seemed fine. When I slid the assembly on, I shook the begezzus (technical term) out of it and it seemed quite solid.

There is one big difference between the new parts and the old. Where the old parts had a castle nut and cotter pin above the kingpin, the new just use a nylon-locking nut. When I installed it, I remember being concerned over the correct torque. Not recalling everything here, but I think that when I torqued it to the book, I could barely turn the wheel even with the front end on jackstands! I think I might have backed off on the torque a bit....not that that means anything.

Disconnecting the arms is a great idea that will have to wait for now. I will do that when I can find some T-I-M-E. 

OH ya..the tires are all brand new and balanced. Mastercraft SBR's

 

 

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

davey,

I think we have a winner here. The top nuts are supposed to be tightened right down. If doing so causes a bind, you have the wrong value of shims at the top of the pin under the top trunnion. When they are fitted, which should actually be done at the bench, you should use an old non-locking nut and adjust the end float (vertical play) with interchangable, and different thicknesses, of shim washers. You are trying to achieve about two thousandths of end play with the nut tightened. In other words, no real discernable play but free movemen of the swivel. Once you have attained this it's time to install the nylon lock nut. I hope I've made that clear. It's late, and I've been working like a dog all day.

P.S. I hope your Dad is doing O.K., man. I'm thinling about him and my own dad today. I wish I could tell him how much I appreciate his sacrifices, his generosity, and his sense of commitment on this day, but I lost him back in 1982 very suddenly. Don't miss an opportunity, my friend.

Bill

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Thanks for your input Dr Motorbill. With all things considered right now, it's probably time for me to just take it to a pro and write a check.

As far as any lament you might harbor; I have no kids myself, but gotta immagine that dad's in general understand. After all, they were once sons too. But fear not, I am NOT missing any opportunity. I visit him daily.

Thanks for the thoughts...you're a good man!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

Hey there Davey - hope you see this - i realize it's an older post -- after drivin my little honey a bit, it's clear i need to pay some attention to the front end.  Do you have any advice on where to start?  It feels real "loose" with some play in the steering (too much for my taste) and i can feel just about every-single-minute-crack in the road --- i avoid manhole covers BIGTIME!!  haha!

I've prolly only got another week or so before the pacific NW rains set in on a daily basis, so... i'm just gonna drive it a little locally, then put her up on jacks when the rains come and start on the front end.

thanks in advance!!

Lou

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Lou
'76 MGB MKIII