[Mgs] Your Experiences, Comments, Suggestions

[mgbob at juno.com]

Hi Ron,  It is a good time of the year to start this project.  Where I am, in CT, no shops seem to want to re-arch. I have heard good things about John Twist's work.  World Wide Automotive, Peter Caldwell, is preferred by most in our club.  Be sure you need to turn drums-metal removed can not be replaced, and small ridges are not problems. If drums are scored, turning may be needed, but don't rush to do this unless needed.    We have done this axle work at club tech sessions. This price seems fair enough, though. In another 60,000 miles or so, you will find that thrust washer R&R is easily done oneself.
  Many prefer the nylon strap rebound straps to rubber. They were not available last time I replaced, but I will try them next time.   Poly bushings are a nice improvement. Moss used to caution, and may still, that they add to noise in the cabin. I used them and found no difference inside my GT.   Emergency brake cables etc--take plenty of pictures, and be sure to compare to the workshop manuals.  These are frequently found scrambled, and I have even seen a car where rear brakes were installed on the wrong side. If the cable moves as smooth as new, OK to use again, but if in doubt, buy new, grease it and grease it again before installation.  It works far better than its reputation, when installed, adjusted and maintained. Watch the linkage carefully--the bits are similar in appearance and easy to get wrong. If they are found to be correct when you disassemble, you might prick-punch mark them instead of using paint pen or markers.  Enjoy the project.Bob
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Ron King via Mgs <mgs at autox.team.net>


Started back on the restoration (mostly) of my ’71 MGB, and am working my way from back to front.
 
The rear suspension needs to be rebuilt: springs, shocks, brakes and lines, rear end, and some misc.   Understand the following are the recommended ways to go:
<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>Springs – send to John Twist to have them re-arced
<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>Shocks – Isn’t it Apple Hydraulics?
<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>Brakes and lines – believe someone once recommended a place to have the drums turned and shoes arced, but can’t remember who it was.  Anybody?  Once pre-work done, I’ll complete the job myself.
<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>Rear end – “On the Road Again” is estimating ~$550 to replace all the bearings, gaskets, seal, thrust washers, and re-setup the pinion/ring gear: $~300 for labor and ~$250 for parts.  Looking at the Moss catalog indicates the parts pricing is not that far off.  I’ll be removing the entire rear axle assembly and taking the unit to them.  This will be my first experience with that shop, so any comments from others who’ve also used them would be appreciated.
<![if !supportLists]>·         <![endif]>Misc – re-bound straps, poly bushings, emergency brake cables and linkage, etc.   Will do the work myself
 
Any recommendations, comments, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated.   Yeah, I know, take lots and lots of pictures!
 
Thanks in advance
Ron King
’71 MGB
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/mgs/attachments/20150226/af7e7cf9/attachment.html>