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A - Arm replacement

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J

jnrmcd

Freshman Member
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Hi all, hate to start my Spridget forum career with a tech question, but at the end of my rope. I've been lurking on this forum for weeks and I am sure someone has the answers.

Here goes, I bought a 75 midge for my wife last August to make up for the 71 I made her sell 15 years ago, it was terminal but she didn't see it that way. Anyhow She drove the new 75 for the fall and a little this spring, but time to do a few repairs. What started as a "quick" spring replacement has now turned into a full blown front end replacement, and so starts my problem.

The old a-arms are trashed where the king pin connects with the fulcrum pin. Decided to go with all new parts from the A-arm to king pins, everything. ordered parts from victoria british thinking all new, easy fit back together, Wrong!! One fulcrum pin will not thread into either a-arm, the other threads into both fairly easily but once in the arm I am unable to put the pin that locks the fulcrum pin in position in, and yes the fulcrum pin notch is lined up in the slot. I hate the thought of driving it in as the old one came out fairly easily. Can't imagine I should need to drive it in. Is this an inferior part problem or is it just me? I really thought that with new arms,pins, everything it would be an easy job but I'm not sure any more. Do I just drive it home and hope for the best? Also is vic brit a supplier of sub par parts? It just seems the parts are a little off.

Anyhow I'm still trying to have fun with the new british hobby just slow going right now. Usually wrenched or I mean "spanned" on american muscle maybe the wifes converted me, who knows. LOL Any help would be great thanks in advance.

John
 
EEEEK!
What is different about the fulcrum pins?

There are several parts that are not quite to spec and they can usually be sorted out with a little filing.

Peter C would be the guy to sort out these issues for you.
 
John,
I too bought new pins from VB, I had gotten one arm from another source and used an original. The pin fit in the original but the other arm is going to take a hammer or a drilling of the hole. After taking the originals apart I don't think this is a piece you plan on taking apart again.

As for VB parts I have been pretty satisfied. Part quality seems to be an ongoing discussion on the site

Best of luck.

Mark
 
The only thing i can think is different is maybe the thread is off a touch but i hate to force it, so i ordered another one and will try and send the ill fitting one back. As for the lockingpin I'll try the file, maybe a chainsaw file? Thanks
 
We try not to say anything neg about vendors, but I think it fair to say that Vicky B's quality is sometimes less than you or I would like. I live about 8 miles from them, so I still use them. I believe their body parts are OK. Your problem with the old parts can be fixed by taking them to a machine shop and have the whole unit line bored and then replaced with a hardened bolt. Good luck!
 
Seems like VB should replace at their expense.

I recently went through a similar ordeal. And I never could figure out what the deal was. I suspect it was an issue of mixed parts from different after market suppliers.

I DO NOT buy parts from VB unless I have no other option. I have too many stories similar to yours.
 
Use the pin as a tap and turn it in with out the upright first. Make it go, it will thread its self. Common prob with a long thread here some time last year when I was doing mine.

You are not alone, hehe.
 
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