Philip,
If your front wheels have 1/16" of play at the top of the tire, your
suspension is probably better than new :)
Lube it and leave it.
Don't rush into a major kingpin/A-arm replacement job. It is expensive
and may not be needed. You could check the condition of the inner A-arm
bushings and the trunnion bushings. How are the tie rod ends?
If you want to spend money, look at your shocks and consider new ones (not
rebuilds) if refilling the old ones doesn't work.
On the rear, I would replace all the rubber parts and inspect the springs
for broken leafs (leaves?) as suggested. I have not heard many good
things about new leaf springs so keep yours if they are allright.
Ulix
On Mon, 25 May 1998, Philip Hubbard wrote:
> Did a bit more inspecting of the '74 Midget looking for the reason it
> sometimes clunks on deceleration or acceleration. Seems I might have
> suspension issues both front and back.
>
> Front:
>
> Did the wheel rock test as per Haynes. Rocked the wheel with hands in the
> 12:00 and 6:00 positions. Both front wheels rock slightly. By slightly
> I'd say there is about 1/16" or a bit more play in each of the wheels. I
> didn't see any other play among the bushes, etc so I'm thinking kingpin?
> Reading up on all this makes it sound tricky and I may just have it looked
> at professionally. There are just some areas that one wants to be sure of
> and besides it would be a good time for a pro to inspect the brakes.
> Another area which must be spot on.
>
> Rear:
>
> Here a visual inspection gives me the feeling the springs should be
> replaced. Whereas the front looks clean and rust free (must have been done
> recently) the rear springs and u-bolts etc look very rusty. The rubber
> bushings at the rear are very deteriorated also. Another odd thing. The
> two springs don't look the same! Could this be why the car is so jumpy? :)
> What I mean is this. The passenger's side is 5 leaves thick at the
> thickest. In between each of these 5 thick leaves appears to be a very
> thin leaf. On the driver's side there are no such thin leaves. Now the
> rear seems easier to replace. I think I could handle that job. Any advice
> on what I need to make sure I replace at the same time as the leaves? I
> would plan on doing the leaves and any rubber bushes. Do I really need to
> do u-bolts or any of the other parts?
>
> Thanks for reading so far in if you made it this far. And thanks for any
> advice.
>
> Philip
> Burgundy 1974 Midget
>
Ulix __/__,__
.......................................................... (_o____o_)....
'67 Sprite
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