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MG MGF Technical - Pointing skywards

The front of the car is riding higher than the rear. Approx one finger difference (three at rear and four at front) Has been like it since I purchased last October, but only noticed recently since reading through the archives.

How can this happen, I thought it was a balanced system. Or is there another problem? I tend to be experiencing a 'light' feeling on the steering as well but don't know if this is connected in any way.

Any advice greatly appreciated.
M J Roscoe-Hudson

Oops..

Ansered my own question by rechecking the archive...

Plus or minus 10mm variation seems acceptable, although someone reported that out of three cars owned, each with various measurements, the level car handled the best, so, is it possible to correct the system to be level?
M J Roscoe-Hudson

yep, get a heavy spare tyre ;-)
Will Munns

The front trim height should be 5mm greater than that at the rear. So if using standard MG settings, that means 368 mm at the front and 363 mm at the rear.

FWIW my car has a fault, because it is nose-down by a similar proportion. Not that I am worried, because the car handles brilliantly, and the aerodynamics at speed work better with a slight nose-down attack angle ;o)

If you want a more even keel, you have two options:
1. Machine the knuckles to the desired lengths to alter the trim height at the front (or alternatively, use some spacers at the rear)
2. Remove the hydragas connection, front to rear, so trim height can be individually set on each wheel.
Rob Bell

Rob

I like the sound of option 1. Because I was planing on getting some of MS's lowering knuckles at some point in the future, presumably I could get just two for the front and leave the rears as standard giving me your nose down attitude and correcting the high front bias.

And as you say Will, replace the steel spare with a lead one would work in the meantime.

Thanks for the help guys.
M J Roscoe-Hudson

Wait for Rob to respond, or check with MS, but I suspect that the difference between standard and lowered knuckles is greater than the current difference in ride height?

Otherwise seems like a lot of time and money to lower the car by less than 10 mm.
JohnP

You are quite right John. Putting a pair of lowering knuckles on the front only would give you a front ride height of 320 at the front versus 363 at the rear - your car would look worryingly like a 1970s custom car, MJ!

Best would be to get the knuckles machined - not much needs to come off to sort the trim attitude. Chat to either Mike Satur or Techspeed.
Rob Bell

And I was so looking forward to the 'flame effect' graphics too...

Machined knuckles it is then.

Cheers
M J Roscoe-Hudson

with a front ride height of 320 I would worry about my knuckles dragging on the ground :-)
JohnP

Also, the shape of the wheelarch is different front to rear, making comparisons difficult because you are measuring to two different points. This is why trim level is measured at the front wheels only.

SF
SF

Hello John,
You could also try MOTOBUILD RACING who are based in Hounslow,Middx if they are nearer for you.

All the best,
Duncan.
duncan dorrell

This thread was discussed on 14/01/2003

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