Moss Motors, Ltd

Our Sites: Moss USA | Moss Europe
Welcome to Moss Motors, Ltd Sign in | Join | Help
in Search

A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

Last post 08-25-2008, 8:36 PM by motorbill66. 9 replies.
Sort Posts: Previous Next
  •  08-22-2008, 10:18 PM 15910

    A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    Hello All....  I'm curious if anyone knows the going rate for a core charge on an A-arm (or wishbone) for my '67 Spridget....  thoughts?  I'm trying to guesstimate what a reasonable price for a pair of "rebuilt" A-arms would be these days.....between getting a pair of those plus ordering a "major rebuild kit" for my front end, I think that should just about cover everything (outside the shocks that is) I'll need.

    thanks!

    ~Lou


    Lou
    '76 MGB MKIII
  •  08-23-2008, 6:01 AM 15911 in reply to 15910

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    I don't have a catalog in front of me for your car so I will have to wing it here. If it is a bolt together a-frame the core is $0. If you look in the Moss catalog at your shock listing there should be a line for core charge under the rebuilt shock listing if they are available. The only time you would pay a core is on a rebuilt part. I hope that helps.
  •  08-23-2008, 7:48 AM 15913 in reply to 15911

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    thanks for the reply -- the catalog online lists rebuilt wishbones for $285 each (yikes!) but they are guaranteed to fit.  I guess I'm still hoping someone here would have a ball-park idea of what they would go for (outside of Moss).  The rebuilt shocks on Moss show a core charge of $60 each for those.

    Any ideas of other resources for rebuilt wishbones out there?


    Lou
    '76 MGB MKIII
  •  08-23-2008, 7:25 PM 15925 in reply to 15910

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    Ok ,I looked at the online. What I see is two listing for new A-arms with no rebuilts avalable. My first question is why are you looking to replace them? Are they bent, to me they look fairly healthy in design. Unless you have hooked a manhole cover or run down a curb like mine did you should be able to rebuild yours. The major kit will have all the parts to do it.
  •  08-23-2008, 10:18 PM 15927 in reply to 15925

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    There's no telling the abuse/neglect this car got from the last few owners.  I haven't pulled them yet, but visually, they don't look bent per se.....to be honest, I'm thinking it's sort of a waste to replace the fulcrum pins if the "sleeves" of the a-arm are warbled out from excessive wear and non-lubrication.  That said, I think i'll just get my own a-arms refurbished (new sleeves put on) and then go forward with the major rebuild kit.  Combined, that should do the trick.

    I'm getting tons of steering wheel vibrations every time i go over the smallest crack in the road.  In addition, recent info thus far has led me to understand that in situations like my car has been in (poorly maintained + sitting for 7 years) it's about a 95% chance that the fulcrum pins and a-arm sleeves are shot anyway - which means my king pins have been wobbling on the fulcrum pins for a looooong time now.

    After i initially posted my first inquiry, my local guru and I talked about some a-arms i found on ebay -- turns out, they are off a '58 bugeye.  They'll certainly fit my spridget, BUT, the early model a-arms came without the added "strengthening" plates that are tack welded to the underside of the center plate (added strength beginning in '59)..... so, I've decided to pass on that auction.

    ciao!

    Lou

     


    Lou
    '76 MGB MKIII
  •  08-24-2008, 7:33 AM 15930 in reply to 15927

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    If you don't see any impact points on the lowers and you can get grease in the pivots I would hold off on buying new ones. You can get them quick if you need them. while you are ordering parts go ahead and get the alinement tool that moss sells, locals found out I had one so it gone as much as it home. A '58 anything is going to have some querks, these were produced with bias ply tires that were probably narower than whats on there now and lighter. The rack dampaner is probably loose, its only been 50 years sence everything has been right at the same time and it was low tech compared to now. This is what makes them koooowl, they are drivers cars. It's kind of like us bikes say- A car moves the body, a bike moves the soul. So if you got to do a car this is as close as you can get to the same feel.
  •  08-24-2008, 9:22 AM 15932 in reply to 15930

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    good points indeed - not sure really that i'll end up buying new - maybe just pull mine, check them over carefully, and if the LBC God's are with me, just get mine refurbished if need be.  Yeah, I saw a "reemer tool" in the catalog -- whoa!  $341 !!  yikes! (is that the tool you're referring to?) With only another month or so left until the rains start in, I've got time to enjoy the car a bit before i take on this next project - that'll yield lots of research and options.  You're right though, i really can't make a good decision on what to do until i dismantle the parts and really see what i'm dealing with.  I'm 100% sure I'll need the major rebuild kit at a minimum - all the bushings and rubber are shot (visually speaking).

    I know what you mean - i've never had a motorcycle (i presume you aren't referring to a bicycle ha!) but i've heard how riders feel about being on them. 

    Luckily, thanks to Ed Holland's post, i was able to successfully modify my tach to negative ground last nite - it was REALLY bugging me that it wasn't working.  I'll keep you posted on the outcome of the suspension phase.... 

    Gonna grab some breakfast and think of where to drive today!  

    Ciao all...


    Lou
    '76 MGB MKIII
  •  08-25-2008, 10:18 AM 15954 in reply to 15932

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    Oh, I don't know. I've had some cars move my soul. Some in the wrong direction, too.....

    You will probably not have much luck trying to rebuild these a-arms. The "tubes" are actually threaded and accept threads on the fulcrum pins. The most common fault is that the pins become seized in the arms, and when you finally separate them there is nothing left worth saving. You'll almost certainly find the kingpin is loose on the pin, but is trapped by the aforementioned seized parts. If this is the case, don't wast time and frustration on the offenders. Remove the top trunnion and slide off the swivel axle (spindle). These are the parts you want to save.

    The kingpin is going to be included in the Major Overhaul Kit, along with the bushings in which it rides. Pay careful attention to the orientation of the old bushings with respect to the alignment of the lubrication holes and the installed depth. Then remove the old ones. If you don't have proper mandrels, have a machinist install these for you. If you go this route, bring him the swivel axles with the old bushings still installed and point out these things to him. He probably already knows about the lube hole thing, but the depth is critical. Make sure he understands this. Get yourself a manual if you don't already have one. Go through every step in the reassembly process to the letter, making sure you get the vertical end float just right. (ask davey) The stepped reamer in the Moss catalog is for sizing these kingpin bushings. Without it the job becomes much more complex for the machinist. You can't do this part yourself if you don't have that reamer. I know it's expensive. We guard ours jealously! If you find a shop that specializes in Britcars, they may have it. By all means, this is the preferred route for correctly sized, and perfectly aligned bushings. Let us know if there are further questions.


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon
  •  08-25-2008, 4:58 PM 15959 in reply to 15954

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    Hey MotorBill -

    as usual, you've provided as sound advice as anyone could expect!  Thanks -- I'll print your post and keep it handy when i get ready to pull apart the front suspension....  I did locate a place online (Apply Hydraulics) that will "rebuild" my a-arms for $95 each -- haven't called them, but i suspect that includes replacing the "tubes" for the fulcrum pins.  Is that a ripoff these days?  Do you rebuild your own out there in beautiful Colorado?  Big Smile


    Lou
    '76 MGB MKIII
  •  08-25-2008, 8:36 PM 15962 in reply to 15959

    Re: A-arm (wishbones) core charge?

    Lou,

    No, we aren't set up to make quick enough work of that particular job. Then again, I doubt Apple would take on the complete restoration of a '39 Morgan! It doesn't sound like an exhorbitant rate for the work needed, providing they do a thorough and high quality job.

    We're approaching my favorite time of year here in Colorado, early to mid Autum. Perfect roadster weather up through the canyons to see the Aspens turn the mountainsides gold with their seasonal change. Lots of folks like the Winter here for all the snow sports, but not me. I'm for warm mostly sunny days in the 70s. Winter is for warming up the shop and working on next Spring's dreams.


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon