MGB & GT Forum

Everywhere I look there is more more more to do in order to bring this car up to my standards for safe operation. The list started with just a general inside and out degreasing and a new paint job... I now have the car completely stripped and have paid Moss's mortgage payment this month for new parts. My biggest worry at the moment is being able to ream the new kingpins that I will be fitting... First off, I have never done it... secondly, I do not have the proper tool. Is there anyone in the Apopka/Orlando area with a reamer that I can use... and does it come with instructions? LOL Thanks... Skip

If you have neither the tools nor the experience IMO a fools errand, see here:

http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?1,2873032

I'm wondering how you determined they are in need of new bushings.

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"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."
Sir Winston Churchill
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"It all starts in your mind's eye, then it goes to your heart
and finally to your very soul."
G.S.George PHD

Hi Skip

If they are worn out and need replacement I believe both Moss and VB (and others) sell exchange rebuild units...if you haven't done it before it is a bit of work and getting set up with the right tools is an expense. If you WANT to do it just to do it to learn, have at it, but the cost of having a shop re/re the bushings and ream them for you is pretty minimal.

You can have fun enough just pulling them out and oh while you are at it you might as well change all the front end bushings to poly, change the steering gaitors, etc., - You will have fun enough!

Just my opinion...others will chime in and there is lots of procedural stuff on here how to do it if you decide to tackle it your self!

Merry Christmas!

Mike

@ErnieY... I have never been on a "fool's errand". I have been on many learning journeys and some of them have been more expensive than I would have liked, but I plan on dying penniless anyway...LOL

@Robert... I attached a pretty good photo and even my inexperienced eye can see that the bushing has been wallered out and that image next to the bushing is what was left of the seal.

@Mike... there are kingpin kits available, but no one offers one with the bush installed and reamed??? I guess they want to sell that $300 tool. Thanks for your encouragement... I haven't decided yet as to whether or not to tackle this on my own. I want to keep it fun... and some things are not fun without the proper tools. I know that with the proper tools, I can do most things...

Still looking for someone in my area who has the tool... as a rule, I do not like other people working on my vehicles... I guess it comes from being a lifelong motorcycle rider who has always worked on his own bikes. That way when I kill myself on one of them I know who to blame...LOL

Skip, I have parted out Bs for 45 years now & I have some king pin assem. that I have put on a shelf for me to use, when I rebuild a car & the shelf is over full! (takes a lot longer to get things done now) I have 4 or 5 sets I will sell. I found that if you grease the 6 grease fittings that are on the ft. of the B every 2,000 miles (every even thousand on the trip.)the ft. end will not ware out! I have OVER 550,000 MILES on my GT king pins assem. since rebuild. P/S I just turned 620,000 on my 74.5 GT!

Glenns MG in St. Pete can likely help and may do bench service. (I'm no good at FL geography)

The bushing you pictured does not need reaming in a new set of kingpins.

I have sent you a PM with an alternative.

Peter C

I also have rebuilt king pin assem. that I will sell & I do not need a core back, at this time.

hey skip....that bushing in your photo is already installed and reamed in the new kingpin that you get in the kit. Its the two bushings in the spindle that need reaming. It is not a question of "leaning to do it yourself". This particular job is quite precise and should be done with the proper tool ( I know some do it with a brake hone, but there is no way to properly align the bushings without the proper tool). Most everything on an MGB can be done yourself....but this job needs to be done precisely. Would you bore your engine block with a cylinder hone just too learn? Of course not.

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Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

"Anyone with an intense emotional interest in a subject loses the ability to observe it objectively: You selectively perceive events. You ignore data and facts that disagree with your main philosophy. Even your memory works to fool you, as you selectively retain what you believe in, and subtly mask any memories that might conflict."

Hi Skip

I apologize...I thought you where talking about the 2 vertical bushes in the swivel axle assembly. That lower bush can be pressed out (or carefully driven out) and then just heat the king pin up to 300F (in the oven - if it can be used - works well - clean very well before you do or the next cake with taste oily!) and freeze the bushing, oil the frozen bushing and press in - you can use a vice with wood protectors tapes to the jaws...this bushing does not have to be honed like the swivel axle bushes do.

Enjoy and by the way I love your "Hover Bike"!

Mike

Wow, This got out of hand quickly. Reaming kingpins is easy - it's done by hand and is not complicated at all. The bad news is that the reamers Moss used to sell are no longer available. I'm going to see about having a run of them made. Let me know if you'd be interested if the price is right. Thanks. Basil 707.762.0974 basiladams@yahoo.com

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Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

Reaming is the easy bit, getting them in is the hard part !

This job reminds me of the serenity prayer which I've taken the liberty of editing

“Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot do myself, the courage to do the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

@Robert and anybody else... now that I know which bushings need reamed if one replaces them, lol, I wondered why there were to bits on one rod, how do I know if I need new kingpins? Do I take them apart and look for something imparticular? Oh, wait, I can't get them apart... on one of them the top trunnion will not come off... it is frozen in place. Can I ignore this and still use it?

Skip, I figured you would get back around to asking.
It is best to dismantle, clean, inspect, etc., but they are a bear to dismantle as you've found out. A lot of heat on the shock link is a great help. Propane is not enough ! So if you dont have a torch.........
In the mean time, put the top nut back on and torque to 60 lb/ft. No torque wrench ? Make it tight !!
Next, clamp the lower portion of king pin in a smooth jawed vise (no distance tube). You do not want to damage the ends in case you're going to re-bush the lower.
Once it's tight in the vise, you can lift up on the stub axle to check end float. There should be none, but a small amount is acceptable and eliminated with a good dose of grease. excessive play is removed with shims under the shock link. Unfortunately the shock link WILL need to come off to do this without damage to the king pin.
Also check vertical bushings by wiggling/shaking stub axle. If you have excessive play, you definitely need new bushings.
If the top end checks out and vertical bushes are ok, re-bush and ream lower trunnion, clean it up, grease it and it's good to go for a daily driver.

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"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."
Sir Winston Churchill
---------------------------------------------------------------
"It all starts in your mind's eye, then it goes to your heart
and finally to your very soul."
G.S.George PHD

I just did this and honestly it took me a while. Getting the top trunnion off was a pain. I managed with mapp gas for a few minutes each. The bushing reamer is no longer available. I bought one from a generous mge member but I don't want to give it up as I am likely to need it again. There is a guy in Wisconsin that will do them for $50. I ended up spending $400 on tools to get it done. (Got a 20 ton press as well) I'm at work and can't talk at length but can take some pics for you and post later. Would also be willing to talk on the phone. Pm if interested.