Front end rebuilt help

[bugedd]

My soon to occur project of a front end rebuild just suffered a setback due to tragedy. My local Moss supplier about 5 years ago lost the owner to cancer. His wife has been continuing the business with an employee who had been with them since he was eighteen or so. Five weeks ago he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and two weeks ago he passed, only in his early 50's. Now there is no one in the store who knows the cars, and I no longer have a helper and friend that I can rely on. So I need your help The bugeye will need lower control arms I'm sure, as there is play at the inner mounts. Other than bushings, what else will I need to replace, and what should I inspect to see what I need to replace?

 

[Rut]

Wow, talk about tradgety! I'm sorry to hear about your friends in the business and pray for them. If your lower A arms are shot I would suggest a complete rebuild and I really like working with PeterC.
Rut

 

[Jim_Gruber]

You're going to need a major suspension kit. Peter Caldwell at world wide imports in Madison, WI will take care if kingpin reaming. Withthe price drop in wishbones recently it's not cost effective to rebuild. I saw wishbones as low as $99.95 during a VB sale in the Fall. While you have things apart consider tie rod ends along with a new set of shocks from Peter C.

 

[MGNoir]

I'm getting ready to dive into the front rebuild for my '74 Midget. Have had the kit on the shelf for a while waiting for the right time.

Here are a couple of links to "how to" pages I've gathered. They are Midget-centric but there might be some ideas in there that are helpful...

https://www.mikeamick.com/76midget/page 1.htm

https://www.eatworms.org.uk/mg-midget/projects/74-midget-frontsuspension <-- Click the pictures to get more details on the things being done

 

[bugedd]

Okay, why do the kingpins need to be reamed? That's one part of the rebuild that has confused me.

 

[Rut]

The new bushings that are installed in the spindle assembly, aka stub axle, must be reamed for the new kingpins for proper fit. The old bushings must be pressed out and the new ones pressed in and it can be a pita.
Rut

 

[bugedd]

Gotcha. That was something Mike was going to do for me. I would like to keep giving this shop business, but without a competent person, I may have to source out. Guess I should call Peter B.
Btw, smoking and a life long of working around chemicals/cars did Mike in. Makes you think about that Berryman Chemtool and venting the garage.