MGA! Tech Talk – MGA Safety Inspection

Tech Talk
with Bob Shafto, Technical Editor

Compiled by Fred Horner
With input from Rick Smith, John Twist, Don Tremblay and Bob Shafto

On the ground

Brake operation:

• Even track with brake apply (does it pull left or right?)
• Pedal height ok – 1” to 1 ½” travel before taking affect
• Pedal firm (no fade)

Suspension operation:

• Front suspension – Damper bounce
• Rear suspension – Damper bounce
• Distance from ground to wheel arch equal on both sides (not safety)

Electrical checks: Check with engine running

• Activate light switch and check for loading or dimming.
• Low beam
• High beam
• Parking lights/ rear license plate light
• Dash lights (if possible)
• Turn signals
• Delay? (not safety)
• Brake lights
• Horn operable
• Rubber boot on battery cable at starter switch? (2)
• Proper engine ground (not safety) – Good electrically and mechanically
• Brake light switch wiring connections
• Corrosion at connectors (including battery)
• Frayed wiring
• Review fuse box connections
• Wiring harness condition (may not be safety, but could be if in very poor condition)
• Battery hold down in place

Under the Bonnet:

• Coolant level, hoses and fittings
• Crankcase ventilation connections
• Oil level and color
• Master brake cylinder fluid level and color
• 1/16 master cylinder pushrod free play

Windshield:

• Pitted/cracked/scraped in front of driver
• Washer – working if installed
• Wiper blades in good condition
• Wiper arms park fully home (not safety)
• No extraneous noises or slow motion due to friction or lack of grease

Door Latches:

• Secure on second latch position
• Door latch pulls (roadster)
• Door latch operation (coupe)

Fire Extinguisher: Proper type – ABC

• Present and charged
• Date if available

Hand Brake:

• Holds vehicle from moving under light load?
• Full stop on lever arm at three clicks (see below for cable inspection)
• Brake M/C has proper pretravel
• No wheel drag when brakes are released
• Brake pedal pivot bushing does not allow excessive side play
• Fork arm trunnion pins are not severely worn and cotter pins present

Seat Belts:

• Anchored and operating properly

On the lift

Front suspension:

• Check for broken springs
• Check trunnion bushes/king pin
• Check inner tie rod ends
• Check outer tie rod ends
• Check steering rack boots/leaks
• Check steering pinion to rack firm/play
• The four bolts holding the rack to the frame are inserted from the bottom with nuts on top (not safety)
• Steering rack drag and alignment to dash (not safety)
• If wire wheel, check for broken spokes and spline slop
• Front bearings tight
• Same wheel spin on both sides of at least two revolutions
• Tire pressure set to tire factory recommendations
• Tire wear/depth of tread/age <=10 yrs
• Check for shock oil leakage
• Bolts tight on A arms, front spring pans lower control arms to frame, and shocks
• All cotter pins in place on castle nuts
• Dust seals examine (not safety)
• Flex brake line cracked/aged (1600 support bracket in place)
• Flex brake line not fouling on suspension when wheels steered

Rear Suspension:

• Rebound straps present /condition
• Leaks on axle seals
• Rear spring shackles and bushings in good order
• Rear shocks not leaking
• Damaged leaf springs (broken)
• U-bolts all double nutted (not safety – lock nuts?)
• Shock links arms in good condition
• Rear lever shock fasteners tight
• If wire wheel, check for broken spokes and spline slop

Propeller shaft:

• U joints have no play
• Sliding joint functioning correctly
• All flange bolts tight

Exhaust:

• Look for leaks
• Examine straps

Brake lines (General)

• Check for excessive rust or damage on all hard brake lines
• Check brake flex lines condition, not cracked/aged (3)
• Brake cylinder boots in good order
• Leaks at brake wheel cylinders
• Parking brake cable ends lubricated and swiveling
• Parking brake cable ends secure and cotter pinned
• Parking brake cable equalizer lubricated and swiveling
• If parking brake inspection failed above, is there adjustment left in the cable?

Fuel:

• Signs of fuel leaks on tank or fuel lines
• Carb float bowl breather/overflow lines routed below exhaust

Body and Frame:

• General condition of metal supporting structure