MGB MGB Front suspension upgrades?????

[EMGEBE]

Ok, for a while now... my front suspension sucks something bad!
Everytime i go over bumpy roads at any speed over 60km/hr, the front just CRASHES all over the place... it almost sounds like the wheels are jumping around...

Its just like...

BANG, CRASH, THUD, SMASH, BANG, CRASH, THUD, SMASH,BANG, CRASH, THUD, SMASH,BANG, CRASH, THUD, SMASH,BANG, CRASH, THUD, SMASH,BANG, CRASH, THUD, SMASH!

Ive had an absolute gut full of putting up with it, especially if im going to be gettin my new "PHAT" rims /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif, its becoming a necessity!

Ive taken a pic of my front suspension, not very good, but its raining outside atm, darn WINTER!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif
Im not very knowledgable on front suspension, im guessing u can get tube conversions for front?

Do you think maybe some of the bushings are stuffed?
Maybe a loose component, making it all simply suck?

Cheers Jarrod

 

[Bob Claffie]

From the looks of your lower A frame it appears that the lower trunion is frozen. Instead of pivoting on the bushing the whole trunion is pivoting which shows up wearing oval holes in the lower A frame. Not a cheap fix. You will need the trunions plus the A frame sides. Since it has worn that much my guess is it needs king pins too. Bob

 

[Bruce74B]

Jorrod,

Since the weather is so lousy there, why not get her inside with a quart of kerosen, a paint brush and a couple of wide blades and clean and grease up those spindles and A-frames up a little to have a look at your bushings. They are not hard to replace and you can also have a look at the rest of the suspension and see if anything else is worn badly.

I did mine last winter and replaced bushings (plus a broken spring) rebuilt the shocks and put her back together and was amazed at the difference.

BTW, it is in the 80's and lovely driving weather here now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorry, mate, but we owe you that one since your similar comment last February /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Steve_S]

Looks like time to give that front end some serious attention. Tube shocks won't help anything, they will only wear out faster than the lever shocks you have now. At the least I would give the underside a good bath, grease all your fittings and replace those bushings. You may find the car rides like a dream compared to how it is now. If you're hearing / feeling clunks in the front end then there is something loose, and having something loose in the part of the car that holds you on the road in a turn is not good!

If you're feeling really ambitious, you can drop the entire front end in one piece and rebuild it on a workbench. Not a small job but also not too difficult.

 

[Nunyas]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, and I personally have a problem with, is the front cross member mount pads could be worn out. When I got my 'B the front end would make a loud clunk/bang sound if i went over any really rough bumps or pot holes. When I took my car in to have it looked at I found the front cross member had about a 1/2 inch of up down play. I've temporarily patched the problem with washers to hold it still until I get all the parts to rebuild the entire front suspension.

Either way, if those are going then there's a good chance that the rest of the bushings will need replacement, if not now then very soon.

 

[Guinn]

Bruce, it sounds like you have the info I have been looking for! I have ordered up the A frame bushings but cannot find any tutorial for just replacing them (rest of the car is tight - I think). I would sure appreciate some help in this. My Email address is Guijo2@foxinternet.net. ANY help will be appreciated!

Guinn

 

[Bruce74B]

There have been several good threads here about removing the A Arms...or coil springs. I sent one link to you and know that a search will show up more. The Bentley manual was very helful here and several of the other MGB sites had articles on the same subject.

Good luck and let me know if you have specific questions.

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif