bridget the midget mot question

[garbaldy]

After going to look at an old tina that was suposed to be minted im now the owner of an auld midget (its a long story) which hasnt seen the road for 14 years i have given it the full checkover replaced the discs pads and shoes de seized the calipers and wheelcylinders fitted a new tank and got her up and running,my problem is that the front kingpins or stubaxles whatever they are called have some play in them it just feels like a bit off wheelbareing play and im not sure how much is allowed,so does anyone have an idea what sort off play is acceptable for a tester as they just state excessive play which could meen anything from slight to falling out.

[red5]

Depends on the tester really. Avoid anyone under 30 who has no idea what a Kingpin or Trunion is and you should be ok. :-)It's def not wheelbearing play?

[garbaldy]

Depends on the tester really. Avoid anyone under 30 who has no idea what a Kingpin or Trunion is and you should be ok. :-)It's def not wheelbearing play?

no def not wheelbearing i just used that to describe how little the play is

[pompei]

Can you pump it full of grease?

[Andrew353w]

The front wheel bearings must not have any play in them. Rear ones are allowed a little play, and I DO mean little! When the wheel is spun the bearing must not "rumble" or appear worn in any other way. Any play is ascertained by holding the tyre at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, followed by 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock & rocking it.The suspension system (bushes, tie bars, anti roll bars etc.) must not have excessive play in any part of it. When checking this, the tester normally uses a tie-bar or crowbar and applies reasonable force to see if the movement is excessive and to see if any metal part comes into contact with any other metal part when the system is flexed. This is why the suspension system is examined from underneath the car, as it's not then under tension. Look for cracked and or broken springs;they're also fails!I hope this helps.

[seth]

I'd have said that a young tester is more likely to fail it as they're used to no-play ball joints and wouldn't expect any movement. It really does depend on quite how much there is and what the tester is like. Midget parts should be pretty easy to get though. Exchange assemblies so you don't need to faff with bush reaming (!).

[garethj]

Can you pump it full of grease?

That's the trick, do it just before the MoT and it'll help make it feel a bit more solid, could make the difference between and advise and a fail.

[ashmicro]

IIRC you should not use grease in trunnions, but EP80 gear oil. A mate had a Herald and he was always banging on about this. However, my knowledge of BL tin doesn't start until the introduction of the Maestro!

[seth]

IIRC you should not use grease in trunnions, but EP80 gear oil. A mate had a Herald and he was always banging on about this. However, my knowledge of BL tin doesn't start until the introduction of the Maestro!

Thats correct for Herald/Spit etc trunnions but kingpins like the Midget will most definitly want grease.I have heard of a place up north (Liverpool way?) that pump in some sort of setting plastic that takes up the wear but it sounds like a bit of a "cuban motor engineering" process. No idea what it would be like long term or if you had to strip it down at some point.

[garethj]

I have heard of a place up north (Liverpool way?) that pump in some sort of setting plastic that takes up the wear

Is it Araldite Rapid?

[whitevanman]

Jack up the front and pack it full with a thick grease, if that does not sort it just replace them, they ain't to bad to do...so what and wher is this 'Tina????

[simmo]

With kingpins your allowed a fair bit of 'rock' but not a lot of lift (they will usually stick a bar under the wheel and lift when its on the jack) its because this show the bearing is going or set up is wrong.If you are worried about younger testers try a place that does class VII as well, they would of done plenty of Transits.If you want take some play out short term, some of the water proofed grease (usually red) if the business but a bit pricey. It usually comes in grease gun inserts so you can use a bit and then save it for next year.

[garbaldy]

Jack up the front and pack it full with a thick grease, if that does not sort it just replace them, they ain't to bad to do...so what and wher is this 'Tina????

its just up the road beside a small village called yetholm its suposed to be a lotus replica but i couldnt find the guy even though he said he will be there all weekend anyway while on the farm i got talking to an old guy and ended up with the midget a GSi ashtray and a 10 by 7 indespension trailer to lug more tat about. im going to go back and make an offer on his other tat will keep all posted and try and remember to take pics i seem to forget in the heat off the moment Thanks for all the advise bridget is now booked in for next thursday so i better get some exhaust bobins and wiper blades sorted.

[garbaldy]

If you want take some play out short term, some of the water proofed grease (usually red) if the business but a bit pricey. It usually comes in grease gun inserts so you can use a bit and then save it for next year.

ive bought some litheuim grease as the local tractor dealer said its the thickest they have.

[whitevanman]

Town Yetholm?Kirk Yetholm?or plain old Yetholm?I have never heard of a Lotus replica in the Borders for about 20 years, though I do know where there are 4 real Mk1 Lotus Cortinas and have been trying to track another genuine one for about 9 yeaars.....

[garbaldy]

Town Yetholm?Kirk Yetholm?or plain old Yetholm?I have never heard of a Lotus replica in the Borders for about 20 years, though I do know where there are 4 real Mk1 Lotus Cortinas and have been trying to track another genuine one for about 9 yeaars.....

I just club them all in to plain old yetholm apparently the tina has been off the road since 89 when the engine blew i will keep trying to get a look at it, if it is what im told it is then i will have it but knowing my luck it will be a mk 5 its amazeing just whats hidden in some off these old sheds the bloke i bought the cars off has a couple more cars which have been off the road for 15 years or more

[whitevanman]

keep in touch about this, I may be of some help