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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - rear sway bar

I'd like to put a rear sway bar on my 73 midget. Has anyone done this and if so where did you find one?
C Roode

I have one on mine. Allow me to start by saying that you do NOT want one. Much research has gone into the handling of Spridgets and the accepted opinion is that an 11/16" to 3/4" front ARB is exactly what is needed with nothing in back.

So, why do I have one??? I run a 3/4" ARB in the front of my 1972 Midget with negative camber upper trunnion bushings, PhantomGrip "limited slip", and a rear panhard bar. When autocrossing with race tires, I have a distressing tendency to do clockwise skidpads on two wheels. I don't think that is a very good idea, so I installed a rear ARB to try to bring it down. I don't care for the effect on the handling, so I run it with the links very loose so that it only comes into play under the conditions where I would tend to "lift the leg". As a street-only car, I would not use one at all. None of the racers I know use one either.

That said, Addco make both front and rear ARB kits. They do not sell to the public, but you can call them and arrange for them to sell you one through one of their dealers.
http://02bbfb5.netsolhost.com/ContactUs.htm
1-800-621-8916
David "can't be swayed" Lieb
David Lieb

Thanks David, It's hard to argue with someone who has been there and done that so I'm going to take your advice and put on a bigger front sway bar and forget the idea of a rear sway bar. The only reason I was contemplating it in the first place was the result of 180 degree out of control skid after swerving to avoid another car that ran a stop sign.
C Roode

I cant say anything about the rear sway bar, BUT a "Panhard rod" now that is a huge improvement, and something Id highly recommend, takes body roll right out in hard turns, yet light enough to not interfer with everyday driving....mine came from winners circle.

Prop
Prop

Hey David,

Is that the same one that advertise on ebay all the time....they sure look familiar.

Prop
Prop

I'll confirm what David said. I had a rear ARB on my Frogeye and on quick turns the back end wanted to keep going around. When I took it off the steering became truer, I didn't have to correct for the oversteer.

Victoria British carry Addco ARBs.
Martin Washington

As obsewrved above, rear ARB's are generally not a good idea with live rear axles. Many has been the MG colleague who did not believe our advice and tried one omly to find out that yes indeed the rear does let go earlier! Explained on our website at http://www.mgparts.co.nz/performance2.html at 2nd & 3rd from last para.
A Walbran

Andrew,

Many thanks. It's a fantastic website.
Garyfrog

I have a rear ARB fitted to my frogeye and like the effect. I found with the front ARB, 5/8" on wider stiffer mounts approx = to 3/4", I got excessive understeer on tight corners when doing hillclimbs and autotests, that's of course a known problem with large front anti-roll bar, they increase understeer. The addition of the rear bar nicely sorted the handling to my satisfaction and the car is nicely balanced IMHO. The front springs are standard, the rears -1 leaf of 15, telescopics all round with 2 degree negative camber at the front and 7/8" rear wheel spacers. Works for me. BTW the rear bar is a re-bent Vauxhall Chevette rear ARB.
David Billington

If you fit a heavier ARB in the front, the usual caveat applies - be prepared to reinforce the chassis rails around the ARB brackets, because the additional forces can eventually rip the lower skins out of the chassis. Been there, with my 3/4" ARB.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

This thread was discussed between 03/05/2009 and 06/05/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.