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MG MGB Technical - rear axle misaligned?

My rear axle seems not to be in alignment with the body. The left rear tyre is 1 inch closer to the inner fender than the right tyre (tire USA). Also upon modest to hard acceleration the rear axle twitches to one side abit, causing the car to veer slightly to the right. Upon letting off the accelerator the car slightly veers back to the left.
What is causing this?
Bill

Bill this is very common and caused by the torque of the driveshaft on the rear axle. Through years adn years of twisting the left rear wheel gets closer to the rear fender arch. I fixed mine by replacing the rear springs with new ones. If you read the archives this is twart with war stories. My recommedation is to buy new rear springs that are manufactured in England. I bought mine from "thepropermg" based in MA. I was lucky and mine fit great and solved the problem. Buy new rubber pads and U bolts at the same time. Not affiliated with any parts store.

Andy
Andy Preston

Bill, Sometimes the axle can simply work loose, my brother had a BGT with rear wheel steering when we were kids! An hour with the spanners realigned everything.

Rich

Rear torque steer is commonly caused by loose U-bolts on the axle to spring mounting, or worn spring bushings. As far as the alignment with the body there are lots of theories about this. I have never seen a B or midget with the rear axle perfectly centered in relation to the body. New springs may help, but no guarantees according to the archives.
Bill Young

Look at the archives. Many cars have different clearance on each side for both known and unknown reasons. Many persons have bought new springs and found the ride height is jacked way up. Doug Jackson sells a fiberglass mono spring which is way lighter and has virtually no internal friction ( the leaf spring has large amounts of internal friction between the leafs which causes poorer ride). Check his web site at mgbmga.com. In Europe there is a steel mono spring available - a "parabolic" spring, which appears to share many of the advantages of the glass spring.
Again, there is lots of stuff on this in the archives.
Barry
Barry Parkinson

This thread was discussed on 24/06/2005

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