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MG MGF Technical - Happy MGF (owner) and suspension modifications

Hi all,

I'm really happy to report about my last selfmade modifications to the PTS MGF (3000 miles now):)

* lowering knuckles
* Compliance washers
* Bump Stops at the front suspension

got all together installed last Saturday in 6 hours works with help of the silly selfmade pump and evacuation tools.
BTW this 'under construction' to long webside lasts longer than all done mechanical works. ;-)
http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/lowering1/index.htm
(hope someone can understand the english description try there)

On Sunday I went several miles to let the suspension settle. It settled ... started with a ride hight of 330 mm at the front and funy but true 335 at the rear.
The final great results are written below.

This morning was the 4-wheel measurement was done at a tyre store (a really experienced MGF speciallist).

HEF-MG96 with 215/40 R16 Eagle F1 all around and now with the above mentioned special mods which I would recommend, cause the car handles great. I did the 300km run to my workplace in sunny weather on the motorway and tried the complete speed range. No problems so far. OK, in the wet it's another question ;-)

Front L 0°0' R 0°0' (Toe ZERO)
Rear L +0°10' R +0°10° (Toe IN)

Ride hight Front 325 mm
Ride hight Rear 320 mm
Outside Temperature 12° C

Front Toe ZERO, cause of the low ride hight. In case of low ride hight the camber gets out of specs and this needs correction by adapting the track angles to the changed camber angles.
Camber spec isd -1° +/-30'
My low car got now on the right side -1°37' and on the left -1°40'

I also asked for Toe ZERO, cause the ride hight increases on higher temperature and the tracking will get more toe in.
I count on a final Front track of +5 minutes each side. So 10 Minutes Toe IN.

Rear side Toe IN for 10 Minutes each side. This was done cause I have the Compliance Washers installed which results in less tracking angle changes at the rear axle under acceleration/decelleration.

BTW For the newbees: The above tracking data are NOT applicable for standard cars.

I was really surprised on the Sunday test drives with total out tracking (20 Minutes Toe OUT at the front!!) that I was not able to identify any problem, even cause we all know that such large toe OUT will lead to tyre wear. That made me think about how to explain and find out such wrong track failures.

Anyway, now the car is nearly ready for the upcoming MGF season.
Nearly ready, cause I'm still looking for a solution on leather seats and plans relate to some other modifications of the electricals. (One shot Window lift, Buzzer for 'boot lid open' indication, .. and last but not least any fabulous EXHAUST !!)

Any comments, questions, suggestions ?

:o)
Cheers
Lucky Dieter
http://www.mgf-net.de
Dieter Koennecke

Nice one Dieter!!! :o))

Are you going to fit the MY2000 interior to your car?

Looking forward to seeing your car 'in the metal' :o)
Rob Bell

I get my car back in the morning this has also been lowered to 330MM :-)

A bit better than the 550MM set by the Rover Garage
Russ

Rob,

>Are you going to fit the MY2000 interior to your car?
No surely not (this year), cause... out of budget ;-)
But some lits of the trophies techniques look interesting :)

Russ,

Great !! a picture would be nice at Pauls Gallery :))
Have you got the tracking values ?

>A bit better than the 550MM set by the Rover Garage

Oyyhhh.., mate this is the technical subject ;-)... only 480MM is possible in the MGF HIGH-Lander mode (IMO)

Dieter Koennecke

Dieter, do you have any problems with the front tramlining with the big tyres on the front? 205x15s were almost undrivable on the front of my car, so I can't imagine what 215s are like.

Every owner I have spoken to about this says it is a problem to some extent.
Tony Smith

Not to mention that Dave (Techspeed-ed Red MGF Dave), said that 205s rub the inside of the wheel arch on full lock, have you made the mods to stop this?

(I think it was Dave that said that, appologises if it wasn't!)

Steve.
Steve Childs

Dieter,

It was like sailing a boat

I should have taken a photo it would have made you smile. I could fit my hand vertically between the wheel and the arch (about 6.5-7cm)

But I am easily mistaken and always exaggerate


Cheers

Captain Russ

PS I have the envelope ready to post to you in the morning sorry for the delay.
Russ

Tony,

>do you have any problems with the front tramlining with the big tyres on the front? 205x15s were almost undrivable on the front of my car, so I can't imagine what 215s are like.

Just this point makes me mad. Recalling my poor flight half a year ago with 205/50x15 all around. I went today the xx'th time along that sh*t tramline marked motorway and tried to 'search' the tramlines by steering careful from right to left and back.
Nothing remarkable to report. At 80 mph nothing to complain. At last I stopped this morning at the 'MGF grave' of last year and shot this pictures. Tramlines can be seen left hand as white shining lines. The accident tracks, glas shatters, headlight glass are still there :(
http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/hef_mg/23.04.cp_5470.jpg
http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/hef_mg/23.04.cp_5473.jpg

The 205/50 all around and toe ZERO all around and Polybushes at the rear did follow tramlines like a nervous womens ar*e. Thats what I recall from that accident night.

I must find out for myself how this new setup with the flat 215/40x16 react in the wet, but on a wide and large carpark. Or somebody else better experienced driver should try the car and compare.

Also I need to mention that I did not feel good on my first 1000 miles with the new car and original setup plus the 185 winter tyres all around.
I just have only the idea that the weakness of the whole tyre has a lot of influence and of course the tough tie bar and the may be better 10 minutes rear toe IN.

Steve,
the wheel arch liner got changed by factory in 1998?. But it did not help at all MGF.
Mine is OK with the 215. But you should know that 5 different MGF have 20 different differences anywere.
Non is like the other. I know i.e. from one chap who needed to bend the rear arch upper lead to the inner side to prevent the 215 wheels from rubbing at the metal wheel arch lead at his lowered MGF.
Just today asked a newbee German guy with an MY2000 at our 'Forum' for reasons related to scratch noises from the wheel arch if he turns fully right...
Things happen, its an MG ;)

Russ,
>exaggerate
LOL... me too
http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgf-net.de/defects/uglyindarkness.jpg
This was 390mm. Adjusted by my dealer some years ago.
:o)

Have fun
Dieter
PS... $$$$ ;)
Dieter Koennecke

This thread was discussed between 23/04/2001 and 24/04/2001

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.