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MG MGF Technical - Tyres, Tyres, Tyres - Handling

Fellow F'ers,
I have checked just about everything now to sort out the handling. I know that the back tyres are worn to about 2mm at the moment and the limit is 1.6mm, they are also worn in the middle of the tyre (which means that the guy before over inflated them).

But could this have anything to do with the bad handling problem I keep having, it seems like it should be more then just the tyres that are doing this. I just won't let myself beieve that it's the tyres, if it is I'll kick myself.

I get like a floating/drifting feeling from the back end at all speeds and in different situations. Like driving in heavy wind sort of feeling.

Any ideas. I will change one of the tyres for the spare at the weekend just to test it.

Regards,
Mike Gibson

Mike Gibson

Read your handbook or consult an MG expert ASAP Mike.

The spare is a space saver emergency tyre only!! Limited speed, limited miles, useless for comparing/checking handling problems.

This has been a problem for several weeks - find another F owner on this BBS and get together to compare cars etc or get to Techspeed ASAP.

If the rear tyres are really worn in the centre due to over inflation and are really down to 2mm or less then get to a tyre depot ASAP before spending any more time/money chasing handling solutions.

Fit good rubber, inflate correctly, compare notes with somebody else, get to a specialist.

Also - check legal limits on tyres. I'm sure it was increased to 2mm some years ago not 1.6mm.
JohnP

Mike, the tyres need replacing anyway, so why not get them changed this weekend? It'd certainly answer all your questions regarding the tyres' influence on the handling of your car.
Rob Bell

<<<Mike, the tyres need replacing anyway, so why not get them changed this weekend? It'd certainly answer all your questions regarding the tyres' influence on the handling of your car. >>>

definitely agree there rob - what about them suspension bushes next if it’s still not right?

t
tony

Definitely Tony, along with a systematic check of all the suspension ball-joints and torque settings.
Rob Bell

Sounds like this is a fairly common problem. I have actually considered selling my Trophy recently due to very similar problems. I'm now too frightened to drive the car at over 70mph as it feels like I'm driving through a gail force side wind. It feels like I'm about to lose the rear end at any second.

Put 4 new Eagle F1s on and had the wheels balanced and the tracking checked but still no improvement. Just to add to the fun the car lurches to the side at random times on braking. Not an overall joy to drive.

I've seen lots of references to suspension bushes etc so I suppose I should check those out. Anyone else having similar problems with a Trophy?

Steve
Steve

It took me three years, polly bushes, alternate tracking settings, new shocks, decent tyres and a little lowering to get my F's handling how I wanted it.
T.E.D.

Mike,

My car also had that floaty feeling and it was just as you describe, like driving in a high blustery cross wind. The front tyres showed signs of wear on the inner edge. I replaced the tyres and set to 5mins and the floaty feeling was gone. I also fitted a splitter which helped even more. All this was two years ago. At the last tyre change I noticed that my fronts were still wearing on the inside edge so I reset again to 10mins toe in. The camber checked out within limits. The rear tyres were worn in the middle but I never overinflate them so I presume that the standard pressure setting for them is too much and I am now running them 2 psi lower.

HTH

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Mike

My car used to wander at motorway speeds, always needing small corrections even in a straight line.

This was due to the rear tracking being out, find a specialist 4 wheel alignment centre to set it up, 10mins toe IN front and rear. Then fit Toyo Proxes, which I have, or Bridgestone tyres for decent grip in the wet.

The F is sensitive to wheel alignment, so it is worth finding an expert.

Cheers

Alastair
Alastair McLeod

Toe in front and rear??? Am sure your correct but I thought you generally had toe out on the driven wheels to counteract the forces created by the drive shafts?
R Baker

My F has Goodyear Eagle Touring which need replacing after 30000km, I dont want them again and seek advice as to which direction to go. I have been quoted on BF Goodrich (Michelin) Profiler G and Eagle F1, these are the main 2 recommended by the tyre retailers other than Eagle Touring. The F1's are only available in 195/50 front, I'm concerened about changing the size from the standard 185/55. I'm leaning toward the Profiler G. Does anyone have any advice? It would be appreciated.
Kym

>Toe in front and rear??? Am sure your correct but I thought you generally had toe out on the driven wheels to counteract the forces created by the drive shafts?

Before the Trophy the initial settings were toe out at the front (to make the car understeer like a pig) and toe in at the rear. Many of us changed this to toe in at the front for even tyre wear and less understeer. Setting the rears to toe out puts a lot of strain on some of the suspension bushes so the this was only advised if you had pollybushes fitted. As to the logic of the suspension settings you should ask MGR. Personally I think many of the settings were simply typos in the original workshop manual that MGR never had the nerve to admit.

The car behaves more like a gocart with a toe out setting at the rear, great on corners but a little less stable in a straight line.
T.E.D.

>>Am sure your correct but I thought you generally had toe out on the driven wheels to counteract the forces created by the drive shafts? <<

The rear wheels are typically set to toe-in to promote stability in cornering and braking conditions, Richard.
Rob Bell

kim, the difference in size of the 185x55 and 195x50 is negligable, I had 195x50 on the front of my F for a couple of years. Even so, as the rear wheels are the drive wheels it should make no difference at all to the handling of the F apart from a little less understeer from using the wider front tyres.

The profile is a percentage of the tyre width so with 185x55 the 55 is a percentage of 185 and with 195x90 the 90 is a percentage of 195 so they are around the same diameter.
T.E.D.

195s are standard on some 'F derivatives.
ie. Safe to use.

Scarily I have seen three cars recently with 185 tyres all round!!
Most probably due to KwikFit looking at the front tyres when replacing the rears!!!
Eeeek!

P.
(Bridgestone S03s. 195@front. 205@rear. Parallel tracking all round with compliance washers and lowered car.)
Paul Nothard

Paul,

How are you getting on with the SO3s? I've just had to replace a couple of wheels, but stayed with SO2s at the moment as they're still available on 16" rims. Any thoughts on SO2 v SO3?

Dave
Dave

Hi Dave,
Initially I was v.dissapointed with the S03s but after the Castle Combe day my faith was restored.

Gut feeling is that they are good, but not as good.

I've got to be honest and say that the fast driving with both sets of tyres was so far apart (due to interesting brake problems!) that it's very hard to judge fairly.

Certainly there is no harm sticking with S02s if you can!! They are/were a fantastic tyre.

p.
Paul Nothard

Thanks Paul,

>>I've got to be honest and say that the fast driving with both sets of tyres was so far apart (due to interesting brake problems!) that it's very hard to judge fairly.


Maybe you need another track outing to get some more data. I might have just the very thing for you ;-) expect some email soon!

Dave
Dave

I am sorely tempted to go for S-02s on 16" rims when my F1 GS-D2s expire (I'm not that keen on them; they're okay, but the S-02s were THAT good).

Mind you, a comparison between the new F1 GS-D3 and S-02 would be very interesting... anyone yet in a position to comment on the comparative merits of these two tyres?
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 26/11/2002 and 12/12/2002

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