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MG MGB Technical - pulling to the left

my 68 GT keeps pulling to the left. When braking it feels fine, on the mot last week it showed identical pressure on both sides so i know its not the brakes. It cant be the tracking as tracking doesn't cause this. is it possible to have worn/oval holes in the suspension wishbones where it meets the stub axles?
A P New

Why do you say "tracking doesn't cause this"?
In my experience, it can.
Dave O'Neill 2

I too would agree that it is unlikely to be tracking but suspect that the wheels have had a knock which has bent a wishbone or something. Carefully examine the suspension for signs of damage or distortion and in particular check to see of one of the arms is back or something like that. It might also throw some light on the problem if you were to check the wheel centres.
Iain MacKintosh

what do you mean by checking the wheel centres? the front right wheel did hit a kurb not so long ago so im pretty sure that may be the cause.

Adam
A P New

Excess play should have shown up on the MOT wherever it was! Bent arms probably not. I agree with Dave-it could be tracking which can be affected by hitting a kerb, as can the wheel itself. To check the wheel, jack it up and spin the wheel with a pointer against the rim. Check for trueness both "side to side" and front to back
Michael Beswick

Can't say I've had it on my MG. But some tyres can increase "camber sensitivity" on RWD cars. The steering wheel should stay centered on a flat road with your hands off.
c cummins

Ah, now we are getting towards the truth of the matter. Hit a kerb eh ? Well check the wheel centres front wheel to back wheel on each side and they should be within 3mm of each other. If not I strongly suspect that you heve bent an arm or perhaps the bottom swivel pin which bolts to the crossmember. I suspect that it could be the bottom rather than the top shock absorber arm because the point of impact which is the stub axle is nearer the bottom of the swivel hub. Good luck and hope you find it.
Iain MacKintosh

It could also be caused by the rear wheels if one leaf spring isn't as good as the other.....
Mike Howlett

Before you do too much work to the car, just try switching the two front wheels over and see if it pulls to the other direction. I had a similar problem a few years ago and it was caused by a faulty tyre.

Jim
J Robinson

Jim's idea of the tyre is a good one but Mike has a point. It could well be that the U Bolts are slack on the rear axle of the axle is just not located properly on the spring. However checking the wheel centres will show this up too.
Iain MacKintosh

Pulling to the left is normal on a road with camber, but should be less noticeable on the middle lane of a motorway, for example.

Tracking on it's own can't cause it, if the toe is wrong it simply causes both wheels to toe in or out by the same amount, so the car will still go in a straight line. Non-camber pulling is caused by some other suspension characteristic being different between the two sides. The castor angle has the greatest effect on this, it's the castor angle that causes the wheels to self-centre, hence if the angles are different it will cause one wheel to centre more than the other, hence pulling to that side.
PaulH Solihull

thanks for the suggestion everyone. I ordered a crossmember with new wishbones nearly 3 weeks ago, still hasnt arrived to i cant comment on if it'll help yet.
Adam
A P New

Oh heck, that's a bit drastic isn't it?
Iain MacKintosh

reason for new crossmember is im fitting another engine and it needed a modified one to suit the new engine. ive fitted it now but now have an issue with wishbones in another thread.
A P New

Coor, what engine are u fitting? Is it one of the new Marza twin cams supplied by Frontline?
When I had my Westfielf SE, I hit the curb, very unforgivingly, the wishbones truly bent, certainly would pull to one side ( if you could drive it! ) The wheels also fractured, ( alloys.) So in my experience, certainly any moderate curb knocks will have thrown something out! Mike
J.M. Doust

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2011 and 03/10/2011

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