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MG MGB Technical - Why is my steering so much better?

Had the toe-in on the MGB adjusted professionally by computer the other day. Now it is spot on at 1.6 mm - that is 1/16", I suppose? Before adjusting, it was way too much - 5.5 mm!

Now the steering is much lighter, and even the self centering works better. Trouble is - the guy also sprayed some kind of penetrating lubricant on the king pins, as he thought they were a bit tight - so now I wonder if it is the adjustment or the grease that makes the difference?

I have kept the front suspension very well lubricated, and the lubricant he used was sprayed on - not pumped in the usual way. Can this work so well, or can the correction of the toe-in alone be expected to make such a difference!

Tore

Tore

It has to be the toe in . That much self servo from the contact patches would make the car very hard to steer . I agree that a spray on lubricant would be laughed at by the kingpins
S Best

Tore, youv'e looked after your front suspension well and are now reaping the benefits of good alignment. Whoever sprayed the joints did not have a clue how the thing was constructed. It is certainly not doing any good at all except that it might help keep corrosion down.
Iain MacKintosh

Thought so. Nice to have someone confirm it.
Tore

When an alignment is done properly the steering wheel will be centered first then the toe would be adjusted to the correct amount on each side. If not done this way your car could come up with the correct toe in when straight but the tie rod lenghths could be different on each side which might means different turning or wear characteristics on each side. Its important because the outside wheel in a turn travels a wider arc than the inside one.
Bob Ekstrand

Fortunately, on the MGB (unless someone pulled the wheel to center it) unequal length tie-rods would give you an uncentered steering wheel.

Had a shop give me an alignment once that made the steering so squirrely I was worn out after 50 miles. I pulled over and put it back where it was (by the rust/lack of rust) and it was MUCH better. I think the guy must have given me 1/4" toe-out because I have about 1/16" toe-out now (for auto crossing) and it isn't nearly the bear it was then!

Mike!
mike!

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2004 and 01/09/2004

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