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MG MGB Technical - Unnerving Ride


Any ideas for cause of front end lack of "feel" and tendancy to "twitch" at about 90 - on private racetrack of course!
I can get my Honda (cough cough boo hiss spit etc!! ) etc up to 130 and still feel rock steady but MG feels very light and is VERY unnerving.
Wondered about front spoiler on 71 BGT fully restored over last 3 years but mainly original spec except for 6" alloys and 13" steering wheel However it may come to more severe non spec mods if all else fails.
Dampers are nearly new . Would 3/4" front torsion bar cut down effect.Or do I need a heavier oil in dampers? Or both?
Best way I can describe feel is like the front end is lifting and going light and slight movement of steering is magnified massivley giving me much the same feel as pulling a caravan just as the "snake" sets in. Those who have been there will know what I mean! ( No there is no van on the back of my pride and joy.
Any technical thoughts please as to cause and remedy.
Regards to all. Mike

Mike

I had the same feeling which was cured by an ST front spoiler.

Suspension mods down help much if you are going straight on. I have fitted negative camber wishbones which some say make the front end twitchy. I haven't noticed any difference. I managed 110mph at Castle Combe and the car was solid!

Neil
Neil

'lo

First off, how fresh are the bushes in your front suspension? When I rebuilt my front end it was truly amazing, and the old bushes didn't really look that bad. Use V8 bushes of course if you decide to replace them

The other thing I can suggest is that you check your tracking out. Too much toe-in and you'll be ubstable pretty much all the time (not to mention the tyre wear) and too little and you'll become unstable at higher speeds. I suggest about 1/8" to 1/4" difference in width between the centres of the front and rear of your tyres.

Get it all set up right and you'll be stable all the way up to 120, without the need for air dams or other stuff. Verified on a private racetrack of course! :o)

--
Olly S
Oliver Stephenson

Have you got rear axle location devices?

I found that an A frame on the rear gave me very similar symptoms of front end sensitivity and "twitchyness"
Chris Betson

I suspect the feel is exactly what is happening - front end is lifting. I had exactly the same thing with my midget - and yes, it feels very scary. I don't think my B has ever been up to 90 mph. These cars weren't designed with all the benefits of computer simulation that todays manufacturers have, and I reckon that there is a huge build up of air under the car at high speeds. That's why Neil's car was better after fitting the ST spoiler. That's my opinion anyways.
Mike
Mike Howlett

Check that your front toe and caster settings are within spec. Toe-out and/or too little caster can make the front end twitchy.

Jerry
Jerry Causey

Just for the sake of completeness yes, I've already fitted new V8 bushes and the tracking has been adjusted profesionally to correct spec..
Chris, no additional "devices" on rear axle. Just a standard o/d g/box with auto back axle located on its standard locating peg in the leaf spring. That set up means significantly lower revs with o/d as well because of the ratio. The engine has fast cam + elect ign and s/s complete exhaust which makes it comfortably pleasant to drive at fairly high speeds until I start to literally take off then there's skid marks but not from the tyres !!
I'd wondered if the axle might have gone out of line but 4 wheel tracking says it's perfect on that score.
Still pondering, Mike
Mike

Mike,

I can easily (4.6v8) run with the pack without a problem with neg camber but inch lower, but would agree with Mike H comments and 130+ could be scary, I normally back off before then.

Paul
Paul

This thread was discussed between 18/02/2002 and 20/02/2002

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