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MG MGF Technical - A question for the 75th Anniversary Owners

I have a question for the owners of the 75th Anniversary model F - how much clearance is there between the top of the tyre and the inside edge of the guard (or fender) on your car? I have about an index finger's worth of space - which isn't much.

I've seen at least one other 75th Anniversary car around Canberra and theirs seem low but I've not had a chance to ask the owner or to actually measure the gap. I know the cars came lowered but I just can't recall what the actual gap should be, so if anyone with the same car could let me know, I'd really appreciate it.

By the way, I've fitted the NC windstop which works really great and I recently bought MS's sunmate and screensaver. So ar, I've tried the sunmate - good quality and looks like it'll do the job - can't say for certain as we about to hit winter, so I have a few months to wait. But in the meantime, I will keep it in the boot and use it when I'm parked under a tree or parked overnight - should do the job nicely I reckon.

The screensaver has not been tried yet, but hopefully, this weekend if the weather is nice, I'll give it a go and let you know.

Cheers,

Phil

Phil

Don't want to sound rude, but why is this question particular to the 75th anniversary?

I thought the only 'F that had "lowered" suspension from the factory was the Trophy, in the UK anyway.

Hydragas pressure really low on this car?
Chris

As far as we know, the ride height is the same on our 75le as any other MGF--- inconsistant. Three fingers in your measurements. As our 75le's are now 2-3 years old the gas pressure probably varies on each car, but one finger does seem low if the suspension is standard.
nik & Anita

There is nothing unusual about the 75LE suspension - it is exactly the same as all other Mk1 MGFs.

One index finger clearance is too little (you are probably looking at a ride height of 340 mm - measured from the wheel centre to the wheel arch lip vertically above). The correct ride height is 365 mm - in other words you should have about an extra inch of clearance wheel wheel and the arch!

Your car's hydragas pressure is too low - and the system needs to be recharged. A simple procedure that your MGR dealer can help with.

Two questions though:
1. Is this affecting just one side of your car?
2. Has it been changing over a short period of time?

It has been known for the offside rear hydragas sphere to fail over time - and it is possible that this is the explanation here. Best get it checked out ASAP.
Rob Bell

Have a look at the profile of the tyres to.
It could be that these are suffering from the changed geometry (inner tyre wear).

BTW. Thought the Abingdon was the one with the lowered suspension (and the Trophy) and what about the Freestyler ?

cheers,
Erik
Erik

Hi Erik,

No, only the Trophy 160 LE was sold with officially 'lowered' suspension. This car had machined knuckles to achieve the desired height with the standard hydragas pressure.

Good point regarding the check on tyre wear as a consequence of the low suspension - definitely worth looking at.
Rob Bell

Guys, thanks for your advice and info. There are no problems with poor tread wear and the car is the same height all round. The car has always been low but it's just one of those things that you don't really notice until you happen to see the car from a particular angle when you think, has something changed? I've contacted my dealer and he's off doing some research. One thing I definitely know, my ride height has never been the same as a stock F nor has it looked like some Trophy's I've seen here that look almost like a four-wheel drive. It has always been low or lower than a stock F - the question I'm asking myself, is by how much? The handbook doesn't give specific advice on my car, only stock F's. At the end of the day, I will probably get my system examined for leaks/damage but if all is okay (as I suspect it is) I will probably opt for an increase to raise the clearance.

Thanks again guys.

Phil
Phil

Phil, as mentioned above, your car is about an inch (25 mm) too low. Be warey if you have the car raised - as you too will have an MGF in 4WD mode!!!

I'd aim for a ride height that is approximately 10 mm higher than it is at present. Easy to achieve if you apply the rule of thirds when raising the suspension (the reverse of lowering: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/howto_lower.htm)

Whilst still not standard, you'll have a car that still looks cool, and will not spend its entire time bouncing off bumpstops.

Actually, a better option still is to have lowering knuckles fitted - pretty easy to do, and cost only 100 quid... :o)
Rob Bell

Phil,

Did you have the car from new, if not a previous owner may have fitted lowering knuckles or lowered the pressure. You will notice a big improvement in the ride quality when the car is run at the correct pressure. The correct (as in the manual) ride height seems to be achieved at a pressure of arround 400 psi although this may vary slightly. Also bear in mind the effect of temperature on height. Dieter's site has a lot of details.

Cheers
Spyros
Spyros Papageorghiou

Rob & Spyros, thanks again guys your advice is greatly appreciated. I've had the car since new and is shod with 215/40/16 Goodyear F1's. So far, they've travelled about 38000 kms and the tread is dead even. I will get the pressure checked just as a matter of precaution but honestly, the car is level, the ride firm but comfortable. The only thing I do notice, is me cringing when I go over a small pothole (not intentionally) and the sound is almost deafening in the cabin (with roof up) - like a loud bang. It just doesn't sound very nice and is the only part which I find disconcerting when driving the thing.

I'll do some more research using the links you guys have provided to see what shows up.

Cheers,
Phil
Phil

Bear in mind the temperature, as this effects the ride height - my *F* had sunk to 340 during the winter - which was too low - but had crept back up to about 345 when the car was serviced a couple of weeks back but I still had it pumped up to 350.

Ted
Ted Newman

Sounds to me like Phil is very tolerant, his hydragas pressure is very low and the bump stops get a lot of use.

In a British winter the thing would probably be on its belly!
Chris

Guys, your advice is greatly appreciated. I've booked my car in for examination by the dealer and will have it pumped to about 350.

Cheers
Phil
Phil

Just checked the trim height on my car - it is currently about 310 mm all round except for the front right which is about 305mm. I'm trying to imagine what the car will look like at 350 or thereabouts - I dunno it seems like it's going to look too high- bearing in mind that the car has Goodyear F1's @ 215/40/16's all round.

Are you guys sure that I should be running at 350??

Phil
Phil

368 mm is actually the manufacturer's specified ride height Phil, give or take 10 mm.

Yours is very low. Probably looks very very nice though! About the same height as mine - maybe a touch lower? :o)

I agree that 350 is going to look very very odd after you've grown used to the aesthetic advantage of your car's low hydragas pressure - but the downside is that you may be imperilling the life-span of your hydragas spheres. And you'll be amazed at how much better the ride and handling are when the hydragas pressure is set to the correct specification (400 psi IIRC).

Your best option to arrive at a compromise between superb looks and proper suspension function is to fit what are known as lowering knuckles. Some more explanation of this systems operation at http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/hydragas.htm

These knuckles aren't too difficult to fit (your local garage or even your MG Rover dealer should be able to do the job for you if you should so need) and cost about 100 quid for a set of four from Brown and Gammons or Mike Satur.

Definitely recommended.
Rob Bell

Rob, thanks for the info and link but it didn't have any info on the lowering knuckles, any chance of an alternative address please mate?

Cheers

Phil
Phil

Rob, please disregard my last post - I found your web site and the info on lowering suspension. Bloody awesome web site mate - very impressed with the content and detail.

Phil
Phil

:o)

Thanks Phil - appreciate the compliment! Hope that it helps you out :o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 28/05/2002 and 06/06/2002

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