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MG MGF Technical - My alignment result...Is it ok?

The gif file here:

http://www.rotographic.co.uk/hosted/atureport.gif

If the report from the garage here in Germany where I had my wheel alignment and wheels balanced.

My technical German is not that good, but obviously vorher is before, nachher is after, rechts is right, links is left. The middle figures under 'fahrzeugdaten' are the manufacturers recommended measurements...

So, why are some of the 'after' results exactly the same as the 'before' results even though they were not within the recommended range to start with? And the steering wheel still points to the left when the car goes straight on!

Are they trying to pull the wool over my English eyes?

Dieter, anyone?
Chris Heinrich Perkins

Chris some settings cannot be altered,i.e. there is no means of adjustment so they are same before and after, e.g. camber.The only settings they have adjusted are the toe front and rear.Front are set at -0deg.09" I would assume toe in as they were previously showing toe out, camber is out the left showing 24mins neg compared to 2deg neg on the right, not good but you are stuck with it and at least you haven't positive camber.
the rear has been set to toe out(?) again the cambers are reading 0deg 0" left (not good) and 1deg 24" right which is cool.
Regarding the steering wheel, if done correctly then this should be centralised, it could be that the front /rear axles are not aligned, this takes you further into the correct 4 wheel alignment and may require subframes being adjusted.For example if the rear axle is offset or skew to the front axle or vice versa and just the cambers and toe setting are checked then the steering will be out. Just takes a bit more time, patience and understanding.
mike

So do the more involved things have to be done by an ex Rover dealer do you think? (if not, then Dieter, if you could recommend someone near me for proper involved 4 wheel alignment, let me know)

But there's nothing awfully dangerous or very very bad on the report?

Thanks very much for your response Mike.
Chris Heinrich Perkins

Mike, Chris,

I tried to translate the important data
http://www.mgfcar.de/tracking/Chris_2_2006.jpg


(-) Minus from that kind of tracking equipment from my understanding is Toe Out. Beat me, I'm not sure with it (failed to often) ;)

In case it is as I think:
A bit many toe out at the front (changed from toe in) at Chris car.

If you are on currently app. 350mm then this should work aswell in next summer

The rear toe angles unchanged with Toe In.

Chris, what was the ride height and ambient temperature when they did the adjustment ??
Was the ride height equal right hand to keft hand ??

> Steering wheel direction to the left.
I think it is what Mike said. (He knows it better, than I ever would.)
The reason may be the subframe, or may be missing washers/spacers between hydragas cone and upper arm, either on the right or the left ?

>Are they trying to pull the wool over my English eyes?

It makes no sense to go back to A.T.U. They don't understand or if they would understand, then they have no option to correct anything due to missing hydragas pump and no option to using different manufacturer recommended values :(
However, they did nothing really bad. :)

So what could be done.
The only that gets in my mind currently:
- check for the ride heigh,t right to left
- check for correct spacers mounted between HG cone an knuckle
- get in compliance washers to the rear (followed immidiately by another track adjustment)
This will make the next tracking adj. job easier in any way.

Or do nothing, but keep a sensitive eye on the front wheels regarding tyres rubbing at the front inner side.

Dieter

"But there's nothing awfully dangerous or very very bad on the report?"
They have reported the faults but not done a 'full' alignment check and adjustment(it appears they have used standard Rover settings), this is not there fault as very few garages would have the expertise or understanding to correctly set up a F/TF ,(as Dieter has pointed out) you have to use a interested specialist. For an average car this would be sufficient but due to the construction of the F it does require more. This is why nearly every MGF 'drives' differently.If you have incorrect readings like yours then you can get them corrected but it will take best part of a day with the right equipment and modifications to the car, ask at an alignment centre how they would correct camber, thrust angles,set back,rear wheel steer effect,steering wheel misalignment, suspension height and chassis misalignment before giving them the work(there are companys around look at tuners/race car engineers as they will have the facilities and more importantly the understanding, not your average grease monkey) .It also depends on how fussy you are in the handling dept. A quick £30 alignment check and adjustment buys you just that.

mike

Shorter answer to your first question Chris.."is my alignment..OK?"
NO.
mike

I don't really feel confident that anyone in my neck of the German woods will be able to do those things, and do them properly! (at the ex MGR dealer they put a non OAT antifreeze in after they fixed the HGF!)

Unless you fancy the task Dieter, i'm going to have to ask that someone recommend a place in Kent/SE London that I can take the car to when I'm next over in England with it?

In the mean time, I'll keep an eye on the tyre wear.
Chris Heinrich Perkins

>I don't really feel confident that anyone in my neck of the German woods will be able to do those things,

With you in that matter. You will hardly find someone in the east who ever worked at a Ferrari or similar high grade suspensions. There haven't been any in the last decades, aswell no old Mini or cars with two subframes.
Dieter

Hi,
on a lighter note your settings reminds me of a very good book I read recently, Gunter Grass, "Im Krebsgang"
;o)) / Carl.
Carl

Easier parking to narrow gaps then ;)
In German the right tracking related term is *Dackellauf*. (walk like a sausage dog)

I think Chris doesn't like the easier note currently ?
However, please keep your knife in the pocket.
No scalp available.

Me's still thinking about a solution. I'll ask Rover Enthusiasts in another German Forum.
Dieter

I'm sorry, the book related thing went right over my head so I chose to ignore it! (I have no involvement with German language literature yet)

Thanks for asking around Dieter, me old cockney sparrer.
Chris Heinrich Perkins

Chris ?

Are you out there ?

Found someone who possibly could help !!
German Rover MG Forum, User *project623* looks like another local speciallist there.
http://forum.mg-rover-freunde.de/index.php/topic,8810.0

Need you phone number to link you together.
Email mgf at mgcc dot de

Rgds
Dieter
Dieter

Chris,
look forward to get called from
Mario

He's keen on practicing english ... :)
Dieter

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2006 and 27/02/2006

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