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MG MGF Technical - Handling Problems - Instant Fix?

About three years ago I had the tracking on my '97 VVC reset to recommendations from this BBS and discovered neutral cornering. However the car, which is standard, still seemed unsure on corners.

Not trusting garage tyre pressure gauges, I have always used a Dunlop gauge, given to me almost 40 years ago. I began to suspect this gauge whem my repmobile, which is automated everywhere, complained of low tyre pressures.

A new gauge showed my antique gauge to be at leat 4psi optimistic. Resetting the tyre pressures to the correct pressure has made a huge difference.

How many people out there rely on a faulty garage pressure gauge, check tyres when hot or, like me, trust an inaccurate gauge and are unhappy about the car's cornering?
Brian

A couple of years ago I discovered how dreadfully inaccurate almost all off the shelf tyre gauges were - especially those on foot pumps. At the time my Dad was working for the local council and managed to get our gauges tested on a proper weights and measures machine. Most were 2-3 psi out. The best one we found was a standalone gauge from Halfords (the name escapes me at the moment - a well known brand I'll try to look up tonight!) which was spot on all through the range. The best foot pump we found was 20 years old and 1 psi over throughout the range.

Tim.
Tim Jenner

I bought a handheld Sykes Pickavant one from Halfrauds a while ago and had it checked in the calibration dept at work - it was within .1 psi across the range so well chuffed, nice rubbery enclosure as well just in case you drop it.
tony

> How many people out there rely on a faulty garage pressure gauge

I checked my tyres at my local Safeway last year using their air machine with the gauge on it.

Set my pressures to 30psi all round but after a week of dodgy handling I went back to top them up. I asked the woman at the counter to turn the air pump on at which point she told me it was out of service as the pressure gauge was out by 10psi so instead of me putting in the 30psi I thought I had in fact inflated them to 40psi!!!!
Bob Millar

I use the same gauge as Tony - but I don't sadly possess the same calibration equipment... but then I don't necessary go on the figure showing on the gauge, rather on how the car feels as a result - and then go for consistency. However, having checked my tyre pressures with other gauges, when mine reads 30psi, all the other gauges are usually within 2psi of that figure...

Good point raised there Brian, and well made! :o)
Rob Bell

That's the name I couldn't remember, Sykes Pickavant! :) Sounds like the sames gauge, with the rubber surround.

Tim.
Tim Jenner

This thread was discussed on 17/03/2004

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