MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Strange handling

I test drove an MGF Stepspeed yesterday (yes I know not everybody's choice but there are reasons)and it had a very disconcerting handling trait which may be something or nothing.

The car has 20,000 miles on it and I noticed that when accelerating on a dry, straight and level road there is a tendency for the car to pull to the left. Conversely when you lift off after accelerating there was a marked pull to the right!

Any suggestions? Tracking?

David


David AP

David,
Have a good look at the tyres, are they all wearing the same ?

Is the suspension level all the way round, I don't know what year but F's are supposed to be 368mm + /- 10mm all around, from the wheel centre to the lower edge of the wheel arch.

Tracking is, of course, important but so is four wheel alignment. When I bought mine, unbeknown to me, and the garage I bought it from, it had a bent front subframe, it had similar characteristics to what you describe.(It was only found with a four wheel alignment) there were no other visible signs.

Whatever, that is definitely not right or good, have that put right before you sign, or walk away, there are others, even stepspeeds, around and now is a good time to buy.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

David, I would not think that a Stepspeed woud be the reason for the strange handling and agree that you should check the tyre wear. I had my 2001 Stepspeed aligned recently to correct excessive tyre wear and the difference in handling was immediately noticeable even with one scrubbed front tyre. It also might be worthwhile checking tread depth as 20,000 miles could mean either a well worn set or some recently replaced individual tyres. Robert
Robert Matthews 1

There is a "Technical Bullentin" on this from MG-Rover. Donīt remember where I read it,but must have been on Dieters Tech Site (as it covers all!)/Carl.
Carl

I've looked at Dieter's site and Googled it but can't find the Technical Bulletin.

Does anybody have a link?

Thanks

David
David AP

David, I know that Stepspeed cars are more rare than their manual brethern, but to be honest this car should not have the handling traits that you describe. Given the difficulty of accurately diagnosing a problem via a forum like this, I think that the safest course of action is to find another, better example. Either that, or get an expert second opinion.

Potential causes would include:
* tyre pressures incorrect
* mismatched tyres front/rear side/side
* incorrect tracking (even tyre wear?)
* subframe misalignment
* damaged suspension components (accident damage)
Rob Bell

Thanks for the advice so far.

I have moved on from this particular car and have found another candidate which, ironically, is in better fettle and cheaper!

Still curious about the "wandering" of the first one though.

David
David AP

If you can provide a mail-link I can send you info about the "Technical Bulletin" that describes and cures "Steering pulls to one side during acceleration and to the other side during deceleration".
It is No 0001 /M6810bu/ 04.09.96, so an early one in the history of the "F" ! / Carl.
Carl

Carl

Many thanks

davidATdaps.fsbusiness.co.uk

David
David AP

Carl

I've received the info.

Thanks for your time and trouble.

David
David AP

Carl

I am interested in the Technical Bulletin on the deviation of the car accelerating/ braking

Could you send me a copy

bowes.chrisATtpsconsult.co.uk

Many thanks

Chris
C Bowes

This thread was discussed between 04/06/2005 and 07/06/2005

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now