MGB Front suspension rebuild is next

[drooartz]

A few updates and a question. I have all parts in hand now, so we're getting things bolted up and back on the car now. Question on the lower swivel bolt/nut: how tight? I've got it tight enough to easily get the split pin in, is that good enough?

Moss had a sale (darn them!) so I did wind up with new discs and pads. Now it's all fresh.

 

[JPSmit]

Ooo Shiny! Looks great but do the final tighten of the bolts with the car on the ground then it won't squeek.

 

[drooartz]

Good thinking

 

[drooartz]

Made some more progress. Got the springs and pans installed, and am now ready to refit the hubs. Very exciting, hope to be back on the road by next weekend if all goes well.

4-post lift makes a nice bench as well, though it doesn't take long until a good portion of your toolbox has vomited onto the ramps.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Made some more progress. Got the springs and pans installed, and am now ready to refit the hubs. Very exciting, hope to be back on the road by next weekend if all goes well.

View attachment 90341

4-post lift makes a nice bench as well, though it doesn't take long until a good portion of your toolbox has vomited onto the ramps.

View attachment 90342

Well if so, that's the tidiest vomit I've ever seen...

Nice work, though!

 

[drooartz]

Well if so, that's the tidiest vomit I've ever seen...

Picture was from after the cleanup.

Slight setback today. Went to tighten up the tie rod ends, and the stud just spun when trying to tighten the nut. Looks like they will need to be replaced. Luckily not expensive (and Moss is having a sale) but does mean a little delay until the parts come in.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Picture was from after the cleanup.

Slight setback today. Went to tighten up the tie rod ends, and the stud just spun when trying to tighten the nut. Looks like they will need to be replaced. Luckily not expensive (and Moss is having a sale) but does mean a little delay until the parts come in.

How old are they? Signs of failure? I've had new ones spin and found that if I forced the stud farther in the link, it "grabbed" and I was able to tighten them down.

 

[drooartz]

How old are they? Signs of failure? I've had new ones spin and found that if I forced the stud farther in the link, it "grabbed" and I was able to tighten them down.

No idea how old, so at least 12+ years. No obvious signs of failure. I will try and see if I can get the stud to grab out of curiosity (I did order some new ones)

 

[DrEntropy]

Use a C-clamp to push (squeeze) the taper into the arm.

 

[DrEntropy]

Drew, check your PM's

 

[drooartz]

Drew, check your PM's

Got it

 

[drooartz]

The new tie rod ends came in today, and I was able to get them installed without much fuss. Getting them on today was very helpful, as I needed to get the car off my lift so that I can put the Bugeye up there to get it ready to be shipped.

Once the new tie rod ends were installed, I went ahead and put on the disc back plate and the hubs. For now the hubs are on and bearings greased, but I have not set the shims or tightened them down more than hand tight -- just enough to roll the car off the lift.

Car also has no brakes now, as I have new pads for the new discs, and did decide to do new calipers since all the other bits in there were either cleaned or new (not needed, but couldn't resist). So the old calipers are loosely bolted back on without pads just to keep them out of the way.

Once the Bugeye is buttoned back up I'll get the B back on the lift and get everything properly torqued and we'll be back on the road. Nice to see the progress.

 

[vping]

Get a spare cross member and do it up right! Fresh rebuild on the GT

 

[DrEntropy]

Get a spare cross member and do it up right! Fresh rebuild on the GT

In a perfect world, Vince!

And you COULD show up a bit more often, y'know.

 

[drooartz]

That looks great, Vince. Mine is not quite that nice but good enough for me.

Brief update, now that that Bugeye is gone the B is back on the lift and I'm hoping to wrap things up in the next few days.

 

[drooartz]

I did manage to make real progress last weekend, and even had a chance to drive the car (just a little)!

Everything is back, installed, and tightened down. Once the car was back on its wheels I did loosen up any nuts where there were bushings and exercise the suspension a little bit to get the bushings to settle before the final tighten and split pins.

My wife an I did a good bleed of the brakes (new calipers and hoses) and got it better, but it will definitely need another round of bleeding. I also still need to deal with the alignment. But it's a car again and not just a shelf of parts, and that feels good.

Thanks all for the advice and help through this project. As always, what started as "replace a few seals" became "major suspension rebuild."

In the end I did:

• Rebuilt shocks
• Rebuild spindles
• New A-arms and spring pan
• New poly bushings
• New brake discs, calipers, pads
• New bearings
• New stainless brake hoses

 

[vping]

In a perfect world, Vince!

And you COULD show up a bit more often, y'know.

I wish I had more time. I miss the old days when I did. Lately, can't even get out in the LBC, let alone web surf. I always say I'll try.

 

[Crazyman60]

I just got my ‘ 72 GT front suspension back together. It still needs to settle another inch on the left and another inch and 1/2. Everything is new except the rack and crossmember bushes. It should be 14 to 14 1/2 inches clearance from hub to side trim. Everything is torqued except lower arms
Has your car settled down any?