parts when I bought a TC, some of these parts were from a Morris 10 . I
always assumed the the larger ball joint was from the Morris 10. It was
also the steering drop arm ball joint.
Hugh Pite
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Jablonski
To:
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 4:51 PM
Subject: [mg-tabc] Steering ball joints
> I guess my query got lost amongst the debate over "hood stitching" so
> I'll re-post it:
>
> I am currently rebuilding the front end on my TC and am having
> difficulty getting a new ball and seats for the steering box end of
> the drag link. The balls and seats that I have bought are smaller
> than my originals so the seats don't locate properly in the spring
> and
> at the inner end. There is also a danger that the ball could be
> pulled out of the ball joint via the opening in the housing.
>
> I've spoken to my supplier (someone who's been around MG's for a long
> time) and he doesn't recollect ever having seen the larger size of
> ball. However, both of my TC's have this size. It seems that the
> whole ball joint on my cars is larger in diameter than the other
> three
> ball joints, whereas (according to my supplier) the norm is ball
> joints about the same size on all four joints. The whole ball joint
> housing is larger at the steering box end. The larger ball joints
> also have steel seats with bronze inserts whereas the smaller ones
> just have polished surfaces in the all-steel seat.
>
> The dimensions of my ball joint components are:
>
> Ball diameter - 7/8"
> External plug diameter - 15/16"
> Seat OD - 7/8" the layout is roughly proportional to the smaller seat
> but with a bronze insert in the bearing surface
> Spring OD - 13/16"
>
> The new balls are - 11/16" diameter - about the same as the other
> ball
> joints.
>
> My question is: are the larger balls and seats available anywhere
> and,
> if so where?
>
> The other mystery is - were two sizes of ball joint fitted to the the
> steering box end of the drag link or were replacements made in a
> different size at some time?
>
> Mark Jablonski
> TC6022 & TC4820
>
>
>
>
>
>