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MG MGF Technical - Techspeed

I am replacing my rear hydragas spheres. The ones in the car were altered by techspeed , does anyone know exactly what was done to the spheres and knuckle joints. By the way I did ring them but no answer.

Cheers.
S Laithwaite

Did you have the 'nipple job' performed Stephen or just lowering?

In either case, the spheres themselves are not altered, or even touched really. In lowering, the aluminium conical displacer is machined down and matched to the standard coated steel knuckles. If you are planning to change your hydragas spheres, you need to transfer this hardware across to the new sphere: not a hard job (very simple actually).

Hope this helps

Rob
Rob Bell

Rob it was only lowered. I am taking the opportunity to replace the spheres as the engine and subframe are out as we speak. When you say displacer do you mean the inner cylinder of the sphere which the knuckle joint fits into ?
S Laithwaite

It's the aluminium piston labelled on this image of the hydragas sphere from Dieter's website: http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/hydragas/thecutaway1.jpg

Drop it out of the existing 'spheres and place into the new ones. Best keep the existing knuckles, as they may also have been fettled by Techspeed...

Are your old units now unservicable Stephen?
Rob Bell

Rob, U still coming over to Tech Speed this week?
I dropped in on Tuesday and 'set the wheel in motion' :D
Steve White

No they are not unservicable, me being me I like to replace anything that has been in service for along time. My spheres have going on 100,000 miles on them so I will take this oppotunity to replace. Oh the reason the subframe and engine is out is for the new engine sourced from mgf center at a very competetive rate. Interestingly looking around the engine last night the top engine mount bushes were shot. I am also very keen to get the head of the old engine I can tell you that it is not pretty as the intake manifold even has oil in it! We suspect a shattered liner. Must go slower.
S Laithwaite

I haven't had time to arrange anything this week Steve :o( Will try and phone beginning of next week - as it would be nice to have confidence in my brakes before competing in a hill climb the coming Sunday (and Oddicombe is particularly nasty due to plenty of sheer rock sides...) - not to mention Castle Combe the following weekend!

Will PM you as soon as I know what is going on :o)

Good to hear that the 'wheels are in motion' - how long are they going to have the car for? I did wonder if you were going to go and see Beverley in Essex... ?
Rob Bell

Not uncommon to find that the engine mounts have gone Stephen - Dave had a similar problem on his VVC. Mine are still original - I hope they are still serviceable - but I haven't checked: not noticed any odd clonks or excessive engine movement though.

The hydragas spheres seem to last forever - the hydralastic units in my Mini are over 36 years old and are original! Personally, I think that if they ain't bust, don't fix 'em - but I understand your reasoning for wanting to do this.

Shattered cylinder liner? Ouch! :o(
Rob Bell

Ouch on the wallet.
S Laithwaite

No Probs Rob.
Plan is to fit the 'bits' and then I will do a few 100 road miles, returning to Techspeed on a regular basis to check ride height, setting etc.
Have also discussed a couple of other possable future projects to improve the TF.
Would have liked to help Beverley out but Essex is a bit too far from me, and I need my car for commuting to work so couldn't really do without it for any length of time. Will be keeping an eye on there progress though......
Steve White

This thread was discussed on 03/10/2003

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