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MG MGF Technical - Suspension Height Adjustment

Morning all.

Having just about trashed all my tyres, I thought it was about time to level out my suspension - the n/s is about 1cm highr than the o/s. Nothing wrong with the tyre wear incidentally, I just didn't want to pay for tracking twice so I thought I'd wait until the tyres wore out.

Anyway, let the n/s down to 36.0cm to match the o/s - very happy, job done.

Got there in the morning to find the n/s at 34.0cm and the o/s at 34.5. Bah humbug...

Guess there's more than a little settling involved, although I'm a bit surprised that it seems to have exceeded the initial adjustment by about 2:1. Also surprised that the o/s has dropped too - I'd expect a small change due to the geometry change caused by dropping the other side, but not 2cm. Anybody got any ideas on the amount of settle and the link between the sides???

Off to my local backstreet garage on Saturday to get it pumped back up, so your thoughts would be useful before I start again!

Chris
X675 HEU
Chris

<chuckle> Oh the joys of hydragas suspension systems!!! LOL

Been there, got the T-shirt dirty. My approach is the rule of thirds (and applies equally to raising the suspension as it does to lowering) - see http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/howto_lower.htm (and about lowering suspension in more detail: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/lowering.htm)

Always stop some distance away from the final desired ride height - and then make small changes to trim the height to the final level that you originally desired.

The fact that this morning the other side seems lower than before may have as much to do with the ambient temperature, and the temperature of the Nitrogen gas in the hydragas spheres. Nothing to worry about there.

You are absolutely spot on by getting the ride height correct before getting the tracking set :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks for the comments and the links Rob. Take the point about the ambient temperatures, but in fact they were similar and I certainly wouldn't expect a 2cm drop!!

Chris
Chris

Chris,

Don't despair, Rover dealers have to adjust the suspension all the time and still cannot get it right.

It is important to leave the car settle for a couple of hours and to release the handbrake and roll the car for a metre to releive suspension stresses before attempting any change in suspension pressure. It is equally important to bounce both ends of the car regurarly during the work.

Dieter's site has lots of details at http://www.mgfcar.de/pump/index.htm and follow the various links.

Spyros
Spyros Papageorghiou

Had you let it stand for > 1 hour, bounced each corner and then rolled it back and forwards, Chris?

Roger suggested setting it up, then driving round the block once and then checking again (repeat until you're happy!)

Neil.
Neil

>>Roger suggested setting it up, then driving round the block once and then checking again (repeat until you're happy!)<<

Exactly the advice I'd give Neil - and have used it to good effect many times.

(Usually do it in the local Halford's car park - as it is the closest area to me with a level area of standing!!! Gives the lads playing with their remote controlled cars something of a surprise, although there is something of a camaraderie between the half dozen or so people also fiddling with their cars there... LOL)
Rob Bell

I've just had a look at my suspension height. While my fronts are at 36, my rears are at 34. Is this normal or do they need pumping up?
Darren

Checking of ride height as per the workshop manual can be found in the new MGF/TF FAQ...

http://www.dotcomoff.demon.co.uk
Paul Lathwell

Darren,
the ride hight can only be changed on a left/right basis (unless you had a techspeed job in which case you probebly wouldn't be asking the question ;-)
so I wouldn't worry- have a look closer to winter (when the cold weather comes back) and re-review then.

Oh and have a read of Rob's site and look at the instructions there (do everything apart from releasing the hydragas to get an even reading)

Will
Will Munns

Some of you may recall my thread of a couple of weeks ago about my 75th LE model where I asked the owners of similar cars about their suspension settings as mine was too low (about 310mm all round). Well, had mine adjusted last friday to 358mm and man, what a difference in ride, handling and comfort. Huge difference, it's like driving a new car and it has made driving the F vastly more enjoyable to drive than before.

So, to you Rob Bell and others who offered advice, thankyou very much.

Phil
Phil

Glad we could help Phil!

Enjoy the car - mind you, it probably doesn't look quite as good as it did before does it? ;o)

Recommend lowering knuckles :o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 19/06/2002 and 20/06/2002

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