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MG MGF Technical - Jittery handling and Coolant level

Hi everyone

My F feels very jittery lately there seems to be more scuttle shake too. I've checked horizontal and vertical play in all 4 wheels. There doesn't seem to be any movement or play indicating that the bearings are worn. I've had my front wheel alignment re-set and have had all 4 wheels balanced. I've got 4 Eagle Venturas fitted which are inflated to 2.6(front) and 2.8(rear).

It's almost like I'm driving on a cobbled street - all the time ?

Any ideas anyone ? What other components should I check ?

ALSO

What level should the coolant fluid in the reservoir be. Mine is currently level with the join seam of the container. Does this need more fluid ?

Thanks
Dave










Dave

What is the ride height?

Coolant level is correct.

Ted
Ted Newman

Check tyre shape. Lift the car up, a wheel at a time will do, and spin the wheel by hand. Look from the side at the tread area and note any significant out of true shape. These will be patently visible as all tyres will display some slight irregularity.

If there is a problem with tyre shape then it will be obvious and usually restricted to one tyre only, and probably a front. Also turn the steering to full lock so you can view both siedwalls and spin again, to check to irregularities in these areas.

Alternatively visit a tyre dealer or garage and have the same checks done with the car on a ramp. It's a much easier job then.

I choose tyres as a primary suspect since the 'cobbled street' description can in reality only be developed in the tyre area as it is by definition a cylic input and road undulation does not follow this pattern. Transmission generated vibration could be cyclic, but is also likely to be something you can locate to a specific spot.

Rog
Roger Parker

You say 2.6 front & 2.8 Rear. If this is BAR then your tyres are inflated too high and will give this affect. On the other hand if you mean 26 front & 28 rear in PSI then yous is ok.

This is also the outcome when your MGF is pumped up above 380mm in ride height, something that dealers still seem to have a habit of doing.

If the back end is feeling lose on cornering it could be down to play in the suspension (quite often down to worn bushes) in which case invest in some polly bushes or at least some compliance washers available from B&G, I got my bushes from Mike Satur which will improve things a great deal, it did it for me.

Finally, since I changed to a toe in at the front I cannot say enough how much it has improved the handling car. Everyone should do it, it is the best and simplist upgrade I have made to my car in the last three years. Better than my K&N and SP exhaust.
Tony Smith

Good advice as usual, thanks guys...

<Roger>
I'll check the tyres more closely this weekend.

<Tony>
Yes, I meant 26 and 28 psi. Had you worried there.
My ride height seems OK although It's fairly close to being able to do 4x4 off-roading i.e.normal Rover standard.
I also had my front wheel alignment set to toe-in. The difference is amazing.

<Ted> - I've never had to top up the coolant reservoir. The level just stays where it. I'll take that to mean I havent got a leak. :)


Thanks.
Dave
Dave

Dave ,check shocks, they have a habit of coming adrift from the bottom bush and make any shock absorbing ineffective, Rover corrected this on the 2000my cars with a larger washer either side of the bush, this can be reto fitted with some suitable larger washers, a simple mod worth doing to all cars.
Mike.
mikesatur

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2000 and 22/07/2000

MG MGF Technical index

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