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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Uneven height of front suspension - causes?

Hi folks
MOT passed yesterday - an advisory was noted in that the offside front suspension height is about an inch lower than the nearside. Any idea what could be the cause? No rust evident anywhere. There's no evidence of any spring breakage either.
Could it be merely that the offside spring has had more wear than the nearside? I suppose when the restoration took place about 8 yrs ago a wrong spring could have been used?
I don't really want to start dismantling springy bits as it's bad enough even dismantling a switch with the spring pinging off to the other side of the garage!
Dominic Excell

Fairly normal and especially lower on the offside, whether that is down to always having weight on that side from the driver is a possibility. Check also that it isn't actually the rear that is lower at one side as that can effect the front.

You could try new springs but if the side that is low isn't too low then you can just lower the other side to match! Washers or better still proper spacers to lower the spring pan would work.
john payne

I had a spring break on a car and you couldn't see it until I removed the spring - you might have a similar issue.

I know you don't want to hear this, but if it was my car I 'd have both fronts off, checked for breaks and measured, if no answer there, then as previously said, then it's rears off and check for broken leaves.

Do check the spring pans are correctly fitted.

Malc Gilliver

switch springs side to side and see what happens.
Should be an hour and a half work for the front ones so worth a go
Onno K

Bent anti-roll bar? Assuming that you have one, try disconnecting it.
Dave O'Neill2

no anti-roll bar - just pre that innovation.
Rears are symetrical height wise.
Might try spring swaps but don't want to lower the nearside to match, as visiting my mum entails a very slow crawl down a very rough track. My MOT man commented on the scarred exhaust pipe....

Dominic Excell

Sounds like the spring swap round will be your best option then Dominic. Just make sure you wear some blinkers or it might turn into a full suspension rebuild!
john payne

.... or the easy alternative is do nothing!
Dominic Excell

Hi Dominic,
How have you established the heights are different? If it is the height of the wheel arch above the wheel then have you checked that you have matching wings?
1500 wings had the wheel arch lower as the suspension was higher and the gaps were too big.
Dave
Dave Brown

Dom,
IF you have to change front springs I can thoroughly recommend the standard ride height uprated Springs from Kim Dear

they not only keep the front up at standard they also don't have the big dip when braking and have less body roll (although an ARB helps more and is a good combination, most cost effective improvement/upgrade)

"9.5" freelength 360lb rate. Retains standard ride height to overcome sleeping policemen, rough surface autotests/auto-solo's etc, whilst reducing body roll/ brake dive. £27.50 each"

http://magicmidget.co.uk/

below is a photo of my third exhaust clamp after wearing through two previous u-clamps (on 1" lowered springs), I can now drive down rougher country roads without crawling along and wincing


Nigel Atkins

Good point Dave, I'll put a beam across the bonnet and check heights that way. It was indeed the amount of gap above the wheel that was picked up. And thanks for the link re uprated springs Nigel. If / when they need replacing I'll certainly consider those.
Dominic Excell

They call it bachelor sag out here. Could the rear springs be causing some of the problem? Or is it just the fronts? I know on the MGA I got the rears rearched at a spring shop and it helped. The fronts I just got new ones...Havent got into it yet on the midget.
Steven Devine

I've always known it as Drivers Droop. Of my past Midget ownership I recall the 1500 was the most prone to this.
Rob aka MG Moneypit

Check your lower A-arms/spring pans... my car is lower on one side despite rebuilding rear end and swapping springs around.
I found the drivers side A-arm is bent.....

I 'fixed' things temporariy with spacers, but need to get a new A-arm for safety reasons....
Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

Hey dominic,

Your other post about the flex brake hose clearly shows a pic of why the car is off set

Kudos to dave oniell for solving the issue,

Good job dave, your the man today

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Prop

We have two Dominics posting at the same time.

The other post is not the same car.
Dave O'Neill2

Checked the actual height with a beam of timber across the top of the wings, driver's side definitely 5/8" lower. Not enough to worry about, especially as the exhaust is on the higher side!
Dominic Excell

HAaaa... thanks dave,

What are the odds, 2 dominics...so possiable 3 total...all.on the same site

Its like a Dom convention around here...anyone eatting at SUBway subs today....haha

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Dom,
it's obvious - you need to go on a diet, you bloater !

or perhaps you just need to inflate the tyre on that corner

as always I'm here to help with great solutions
Nigel Atkins

I'm only 43 stone Nigel, what do you mean go on a diet? Tyre is already at 200psi, I was thinking helium balloons tied to the front bumper next....
Dominic Excell

Dom,
I've seen from your photos that your a slim chap so perhaps it's the weight of your wallet, perhaps you should put it on the passenger seat or empty out all but this year's Midget receipts and leave them at home - or carry them in the boot and have a higher aim of the headlights
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 13/02/2014 and 20/02/2014

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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