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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - negative camber again

Time to get some negative camber on the midget, I've looked at Peter Mays trunions but don't like the idea of solid bushes on a road car, minimania do offset polybushes - won't they rotate in the housing?
Some other sites suggest washers under the shock body - seems like a reasonable idea but would probably fit a plate under the body to even out the stress.
Anyone tried the offset bushes or the washers idea?

David
d brenchley

David. I have seen MGB shockers mounted on the front. These are mounted on an adaptor plate and can be positioned where you like. The added benefit is the double top arm too.....

Just a thought.

Mark.
M T Boldry

Nice thought Mark but I've got Peter Caldwell adjustables on the front and don't want to loose them.
d brenchley

David,

You need a set of the ones shown on the top left to move the dampers inboard.



David Billington

I had some brass offset bushes in the top trunnion of my race midget. Your right they did sometimes rotate and consequently altered the degree of camber. Someone suggested to me drilling the top trunnion and putting a pin in to stop the bush turning but I was frightened of weaking the trunnion.
m fairclough

David, good idea but won't fit in the damper holes (lol)
d brenchley

OK, why not extended trunnions with regular polybush?
Trevor Jessie

You can stop offset bushes turning with Loctite Stud'n'Bearing fit/Retainer

when set it works a treat. Gooey bluey-greeny gunky stuff.
Bill sdgpm

At one time, Bugeye Barn in Australia was selling replacement trunnions with 2 degrees of negative camber built in. They took standard bushes. I believe Speedwell in the US also carry these.
David "I have the eccentric nylatron bushes in mine; any looseness and they will automatically rotate to the worst possible setting for any given condition" Lieb
David Lieb

I accidently, did the washer trick when I re-built the suspension in the car when I first got it years ago, I used 2 flat washers on each bolt at the front of the shock, none on the single bolt at the back of the shock, it drove really well, but I didnt realise it, as I had not driven a decent suspension midget before, then was told by an idoit front end alingment guy when I was having problems with vibration that this was the cause so I took them out and the car drove poorly..(normal setting), so I put them back in and the car drove great agian.

I never realised what was happening till about 5 years ago when I started studing midget suspensions

And no, the washers didnt cause the vibration, it was the ball and cap needed shimming in the steering rack.

how was the washers under the shocks an accident?, there was a god awfully amount of oil and grim traped around the bottom of the shock and the plate it sat on, so I figured a little clearance would be easier to keep that area cleaner. simple as that!!

who knew...LOL

Prop
Prop***The End in 2012

Hey mark,

CCan you post a pick of your MGB front suspension, I breifly looked at that idea and talked about it here, last year, but I never gave it much thought agian.

Id love to see it

thanks
prop
Prop***The End in 2012

I have the Peter May ones and they seem fine on the road. You can drill them and fit a grease nipple to keep them well lubed.

I was concerned they might be too harsh but couldn't tell the difference (apart from better handling).

On my road car I have the nylon offset bushes (only on one side though - don't ask!) and they seem fine as well. I found the right position for them and then glued them with araldite. Just had them apart and they show no wear or movement after 5k. Have also just put a grease point on these as well.

John
John Payne

I have 1/2 inch aluminum plates under the shocks. Longer bolts are needed. IIRC it gives you 1.5 degrees of neg camber. But I would have it measured with the proper equipment.
J Bubela

Barry King still has a pair or two of his 'negative camber' bottom arms, that may be a better option....

Prop, when I next see the car, I will take pics....

Mark.
M T Boldry

Mr Brenchley, can you contact me re the adjustable dampers, I'd ike to know more, thanks.

My intial dot my surname @fsmail.net
Clive Berry

Clive - you have mail

David
d brenchley

thanks mark,

I look forward to it.

prop
Prop***The End in 2012

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2009 and 11/03/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.