Spring is here, alignment question, and gearbox

[cl_miata]

Hi there all, now that spring is arriving, it is time to get on this forum more often and continue my battle to keep my MG alive, over the winter the clutch hydraulics went bad, so I am awaiting my next pay day to purchase the kit that Victoria British sells. (I'm a poor college student) I also am getting new wheel bearing kits for the front as I seem to remember hearing bad bearings last season. Anyways. my tires were wearing quite badly last year, and it pulled to the left and the steering wheel was off. I asked my alignment shop if they would be able to align my midget and they said yes, but I need to the specs to give them. Does anyone know these? I'm sure I have many worn parts in the suspension as it squeaks, but I view this car as a go kart so that is not high on my priority. Also, last year my gearbox began to whine in fist and second (I believe the PO just sorta jammed in shifter into gear at times since the hydraulics were weak when I bought it) does anyone know of a rough ballpark estimate for having these gearboxes rebuilt?
Thanks a lot everyone, and hello once again!

 

[mrsprite]

Only the toe is adjustable on Spridgets.....I believe stock is 0-1/8" toe in. If you have sloppy bushings, worn shocks or other suspension woes then an alignment may not do much for you though.

 

[JPSmit]

Brian, when you do the bearings, check the rest of the front end vis a vis kingpins etc. If that is all good, you can align the car yourself. Camber is not adjustable (OK it is but with washers etc) but, I just did it in about an hour. This thread covers it well https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u...ugey#Post669111

BTW just looked at Moss Motors website and bushings are cheap - that's more than likely what is causing your squeaking, and, even just changing them will save you much grief later.

First gear is straight cut so it whines in the best of cars. If you are on a budget, try Lucas transmission treatment and see what happens, then you can look at your leisure for another transmission. If you are halfway mechanical, you can rebuild the transmission yourself, though I suspect what you are describing is normal.

 

[jvandyke]

There has been an ongoing inquiry into proper front wheel bearings too. That is, the ones sold to fit our cars don't, at least not perfectly. Not sure where that saga is at the moment but correct bearings off the shelf via VB or Moss are, supposedly NOT available, as I understood the discussion. You might want to look into that before you bust your hump installing parts that aren't quite right. If you raise the front and grab the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock does it wobble a bit? If so, that could indicate sloppy bearings, as I understand it, if not. Leave 'em.

 

[cl_miata]

This is why I love this place lol, thank you much! I will probably still take it in to get aligned as ive been dealing with 40 years of corrosion on every part of this car since I got it, I'll let them deal it with and be responsible if something breaks. I will pick up some bushings then I suppose. As for the bearings. when I was doing my brakes last year, when I looked in there with the wheel off, I noticed the grease cap was just sitting in the hub, all dented and not doing anything, and I could visibly see the rollers, I tried to stuff some grease in that general area, but the grease cap is serving to point anymore.

 

[JPSmit]

Still think you can do it yourself - at the very least after 40 years splurge on a new pair of tie rod ends - again, they are cheap and easy.

 

[scoutll]

I just did the tie rod ends on my car and as JP said, it's simple. I have always done the toe in on my own cars. The only time I worry about taking a car in is if it needs camber stuff. I have mine adjusted to 1/8 toe in and it tracks and steers very nicely. It was 0 toe in before the tie rod replacement and was not so nice.

 

[Guest]

Dude, they are NOT responsible if a bolt breaks.

Be prepaired to pay $150 and up for broken fasteners......~IF~ you can find someone to work on it.