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MG MGB Technical - Lighter steering MGB

Dear all, I will presume some of our members in the UK, whom avidly read all new editions of the MG enthusiast will have seen this article; It in volves altering the castor angle on the MGB so that steering is light almost like power steering. Particularly aimed at those V8 conversions, which inevitably made steering heavier. I was interested by the article and how simple it sounds. Have any of our memebers taken up this kit? Supplied by Moss I believe, but I think designed by Frontline developments. Mike
J.M. Doust

I haven't seen the article, but I believe that Brown and Gammons do a 'wedge' kit that makes the steering lighter.
Dave O'Neill 2

FWIW My view!
http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/upgrades4mgs/Drivetrain/castor_wedges.htm
Michael Beswick

I recently fitted a Brown and Gammon castor reduction kit. Prior to this I had a 14inch Mota Lita and the steering on winding roads while pressing on was not pleasant. Having fitted the kit and an original steering wheel(15 inch)the steering is now much better. It's still heavy at parking speeds but once moving it's now a pleasure to use. The kit is only about £30 and should take about 4 hours to fit, plus you get new rubber pads with kit. When the kit arrived a couple of the pads were missing but they sent replacements immediately without question.

http://www.ukmgparts.com/PDFs/ahh6195castor.pdf

Bob
R.A Davis

I also have a Brown and Gammons castor reduction kit - and, whilst it's not yet been tracked following fitting it (oh, if ONLY it had been 4 hours, but, Previous Owners addiction to welding ......grrrr!), I am already finding it easier to handle - and, have bought one for the other one as well.

Prayers that this one hasn't been welded together are welcome :)
rachmacb

Rach

You have my sympathies and prayers, tackling "work" done by POs is part of the "fun". Although I said 4 hours if you read the B+G instructions they think it should only take 3 hours. I had to drop the cross member for other work so couldn't give an accurate assessment of time taken.

Bob
R.A Davis

While the B&G kit is a nice piece of work and does make a difference, don't be fooled into thinking the steering will be light, like with PAS. It isn't. At town speeds the car still needs to be hauled around sharp turns, and a lot of wheel shuffling while parking will bring on a sweat.

"V8 conversions, which inevitably made steering heavier"

Why? The all-alloy Rover V8 engine weighs almost exactly the same as the old iron 1800, so apart from the urge under your right foot, the car feels exactly the same. That was why it was such a good idea!
Mike Howlett

Oh, I did not know the V8 weighed the same as the 1800. I want one! Actually, as I am about to embark finally on all the re-bushing including the crossmember pads I thought I would do this mod as well. Of course, getting everything lined up well, and specifically; the streering column with the rack column, is critical, for smooth light steering, perhaps in these cases of rather heavy steering this is a point to check? I have plenty of time, I will spend days it it. Thanks for your comments folks. Mike
J.M. Doust

Mike
I think that the Rover V8 weighs around 40lbs LESS than the iron block four. The issue with my conversion is that, as a '77 rubber bumper ex UK GT, I lowered it using the RB crossmember and shorter springs to CB height (after converting to chrome bumper). In so doing I believe that the castor angle changes giving heavier steering particularly with the wider cross section tyres. I'm not up with suspension geometry so only surmising.
Peter Malkin

Peter Hi, from Queensland. Actually you have a point there. I wonder if there is a way to check existing castor angle? Perhaps yours has increased? Another mod I thought of but really was not sure it was worth it was a camber correction offered by Moss, The bush at the top of the trunnion on the swivel axles( am I discribing this correctly? )Can be changed for a bush with an eccentric centre, thus by rotating it on can change the camber by a degree or two. Why would I do it for standard road use? well, only because I am going to dismatle anyway, and it might look cool? Mike
J.M. Doust

Just looked at the details of the B & G Kit, looks like this is not the 'tuning fork' type of castor ajustment, Rather spacer type. I was given to understand loading on these might be an issue. I hope the one I've ordered from MG Parts and Spares here is OZ is not that type, as I am paying rather a lot! See when it comes, could always send it back! Mike
J.M. Doust

Taking the car to a full alignment centre should reveal all the angles. Toyota Celica had an eccentric bush for changing one of the angles, but looking cool (could you see it)? If that floats your boat then go for it ...

My V8 is a bit heavier than the roadster but I put that down to the smaller wheel. Changing the castor on its own seems only to change a very small area associated with low speeds, stationary and above parking not at all.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 22/06/2011 and 24/06/2011

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