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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Simple suspension question ( maybe not )

May be a question for the racers on here. Does lowering the front suspension on a Sprite increase or decrease the front camber?

Does anybody run negative camber trunions on the road and whats your views on the handling differences?
R Mcknight

Any Spridget with negative camber will handle better than one with positive camber. Negative camber trunnions may or may not actually move the camber to negative because there are lots of other variables involved. Getting a static camber check done for each side of the car is a recommended first step.

Out of print books have this stuff in them or get a digital copy?
Daniel Stapleton

I'm running half an inch lower with 2.5 degree negative camber lower wishbones. The turn in is improved and cornering also more 'direct' from the front end.

Note that doing the camber with the wishbones pushes the track out more than with the top arm, which has the same sort of effect on the handling in my experience.

Tyres have worn perfectly normally. I wouldn't go back to vertical, or whatever the approximation to vertical was!
Rob Armstrong

simply lowering will move towards negative. The actual end result will depend on what the current camber is for your individual car.
My car is lowered about 1 1/4" from standard (1275) and with no other front suspension modifications, this has produced a visible amount of negative camber, although l have never measured how much this is.
Guy W

Mine is an inch or two lower and with the oilite bushed negative trunnions from Peter May. When I first fitted them with slightly harder springs and poly bushed wishbones the ride was fine for the road.

Definitely a worthwhile modification but as has been pointed out, finding out what the camber is now is a good idea first.

My tyres did wear more on the inside but I think that is to be expected.
john payne

Tyre wear and camber are dependant on tyre width and aspect ratio in my experience. I have 2 degree negative on the front and tyre wear with 165/70 13 tyres was normal but when I fitted 185/60 13 tyres they wore on the inside edge and required rotating. When I get the car back on the road if I keep to 185/60 tyres I may drop the camber to about -1.25.
David Billington

In my car there was a 1.5 degree difference in camber. I am now running on -2 left and right. It is done with nylon eccentric bushes. I use155x80x13 and there is no difference in wear. Big improvement in grip and roadholding in fast corners. I did not lower the front. Where I live are a lot of sleeping policemen. The roll steer (witch is normal in sprites) is much less and I do not know why.
Flip
Flip Brühl

Camber change can depend also on 'how' you lower the front… Shorter, stiffer springs will alter your camber (giving you slight negative) but if you just lower the front by using the lowering blocks on the spring pans, I think you'll retain the original camber set up.

Mark
M T Boldry

You know Mark I didn't think of it that way but surely what ever way you lower the car the wishbone angle will alter as the inner pivot point will be nearer the ground. What will alter is how far the suspension travel is before it hits the bumpstop . The Austin A35 spring pan is shorter maybe better on a lowered spring car. Lowering blocks on the pans mean more travel between bumpstop and pan.
R Mcknight

How much does the frontline kit create neg chamber

What is the best and easist way to create neg. Chamber

Currently I got 3 grade 8 flat washers under the front 2 bolt holes of the lever shock = (3/16 inch) lift

this year im going to use BK premire bones but standard spec, and a frontline kit, and poly bush, im thinking seriously of using off set trunions that peter may sells, and shortening my springs with spring wedge/clamps ( that seams to be the easist and inexpensive)...I dont want to lower the car very much because of loosing valuable ground clearance thats essential for local street driving

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

What is the best way to measure chamber...

Are those bubble levels from ebay that mount to the side of the tire the best way to go...I want simple and easy...even if I need a new tool

Also ive seen these mats you drive on from gunston but only sold in the uk, I like the concept,

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Use your smart phone ... there's an app for that.
Trevor Jessie

Thanks trevor

I forgot about that option...ill look back into that

If only there was an app to reset my valve lash for me today... :-)

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Trevor,

Do you remember the name of that app to check wheel alignment

Ive been searching google play store (android) and cant find anything.

Thanks

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed between 02/03/2014 and 09/03/2014

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