MG-Cars.com
MG MGF Technical Skidding problems BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
MG-Cars.net
Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.
Recommendations
Parts
MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.
|
|
MG MGF Technical - Skidding problems
| The car's (TF135) been feeling worryingly 'floaty' is the only way I can describe it for a couple of weeks now but put this down to constant wet and/or icy roads - not had dry roads for a while to test it on. I knew rear tyres were near to replacement. Driving to work this morning slid to other side of road when I braked, fortunately nothing coming, slid again coming off a dual carriageway round a sharp bend even though I was driving like a granny on eggshells. Roads were 'mildly moist' as Clarkson would say! Took car into MG dealer who phoned me to say needed two new rear tyres. Go ahead given. Phoned me to say come and get it. Phoned back 30 minutes later to say that 2 people had driven the car and they weren't happy with it. Glad its not just me, was starting to wonder. Every time I take a bend, even at low speed, feels like its about to break away. I've had 2 MGF's and a TF since 1999 so I know what it should feel like but its just like steering on ice, doesn't quite feel connected whilst still steering OK. Most strange and it did scare me this morning. Anyone any ideas what it could be? The car is a 2002 with 21k on the clock, been with me since new, never crashed or even kerbed.... |
| Carolyn |
| Tracking has gone out or a bush is on the way out, or a nut is loose somewhere or the wheel bearing is shot. |
| Will Munns |
| there was an early recall for suspension bolts and also remember a photo of a broken or cracked rear control arm or link somewhere(one of the French guys??) |
| Tony |
| Thanks guys, that was quick! It did go back for the suspension bolt recall and was OK... Don't think its the tracking as there's no judder at any speed and the tyres are wearing evenly, continues in straight line when I let go of steering wheel (already had steering column replaced in previous F so I know what that does and feels like...) I'll see what the dealers say tomorrow. |
| Carolyn |
| Not like mine then? Just before replacing the rear tyres on Friday, powered out of a roundabout and found myself going backwards. Avon ZV1's down to the bare bones of usefu tread. Swopped to ZV3's. Funny powered out of the same roundabout and kept going straight. Sure there must have been oil on the road though. :) |
| Nkosi_Ecosse |
| Mine "disappeared" on me this morning 200 yards from where I was going! Accelerated out of a roundabout and suddenly i was facing the other way. Smashed all, bent arm, steering miles out. Mine has been "floaty" for a while but i put it down to weather! We shall see what the garage says |
| Anthony Kimber |
| Mine was fairly "floaty" this morning as I found myself driving sideways down a road near my house this morning! I didn't even put my foot down pulling left out of the t-junction... luckily it was 7am and no-else was about (either to hit me or take the p!ss)... Hmm.... looking at John's reg number above it must be catching as mine is also V*** ELM !! ;-) Chris |
| Chris Tromans |
| This all sounds very odd... will be interested to hear what the solution turns out to be. I guess everyone's checked their tyre pressures during this cooler spell? |
| Rob Bell |
| << I guess everyone's checked their tyre pressures during this cooler spell? >> Ahem, well er ..... No. Oops!Actually I was really lucky nicked the kerb a liitle but no damage except my ego. There was someone behind me but luckily far enough away not to get involved. Worst was I had the top down as it was sunny (if bloody cold) so I was in plain sight. Good job it was no one who knew me or I would never have heard the end of it. |
| Nkosi_Ecosse |
| It was cold in parts this morning, a little black ice around ? |
| Mike (Mersea) |
| Hi guys One of the reasons for slidding on the road is easy to explain...it's due to cold weather , icy roads and summer tyres. Back in my country we have regulations for using winter tyres during winter. And it's not because of fun but due to safety. As I remember from my time in London no one in UK uses winter tyres and cold weather, especially when snow affect driving conditions 100%. Even front wheel powered cars have problems with snow and ice on the road, not to mention cars like MG F is. It get much better with tempreatures above 10 C. I mean, I don't use winter tyreson on my MG either and I don't even consider driving when there's snow. However, been driving on wet road with temperature just bellow zero and I can tell you it's not fun...you just have to be 100% focused on driving and be very, very carefull. Done some testing with weighting front section of the car as well. Replaced spare tyre with different weights...25 kilos in front section improved balancing and driving, 50 kilos on the other hand make it even worse. Not to mention I couldn't park the car in the garrage since it was to low in the front section :) Please note, all mentioned above goes for driving on the cold, wet road. When there's snow...let's face it, MG is raodster and it wasn't build for driving in the snow. Stay at home and take a tube, train or bus. Best regards from the -15 C country :)) Denis |
| Denis the Menace |
| As per Rob Belly comment/question on tyre pressure... Been contacting my local tyre specialist and they explained me that in the winter time pressure go low due to cold air for about 0.2. And as I pressume again you guys all drive on summer tyres and therefor lowered pressure is not such a bad idea when driving in cold conditions. The reason is simple...summer tyres get harder when cold and grip is no longer 100%. With lower pressure tyres are no longer that hard and grip improves. Change is not major but it gives you better feeling. best regards Denis |
| Denis the menace |
| Anthony and Carolyn, I had a problem when I got my 'F, that the car was just too backend happy. The tyres were good, and I quite enjoyed the backend stepping out when you booted it round bends. However, after 270-ing it off a roundabout and onto a dual carriageway, I decided the fun was over. There was diesel on the road, but it still isn't enough. The garage I went to agreed that it was very 'light' and couldn't suss the problem, other than it was down to one of the back wheels and something being bent .. just couldn't work out what. I ended up with the whole lot being replaced (hub, bushes, arms..) and the problem disappeared more than completely. To put the backend out now, you really do have to boot it. You may want to note.. the tyres weren't changed. A lot of people on this forum talk about driving days, and learning to control the step-outs.. its all good advice, however, I still think there is something that people talk about on this forum that could be down to the same problem I used to see. |
| Neil H |
| Interesting to hear of your experiences there Denis, thanks! Not often gets that cold here... Neil, fair point well made I think, but at what point does one spend that kind of money when the car drives fine on warm, dry roads? |
| Rob Bell |
| Yeah, I know Rob. Its certainly not a solution.., and in the same sit. again, I don't know what I'd do.. .. but there is something funny there.. |
| Neil H |
| I agree Neil. I wonder if the problem is bush-related? Cold rubber behaves differently to warm, but is this that simple? |
| Rob Bell |
| My car has been semi fixed by 2 back tyres (although the ones taken off were at 2mm, legal limit 1.6mm) and a geometric tracking which set me back £110 for tracking alone. Apparently nearside back wheel was way out of line - although car's never been kerbed I have fallen in a few potholes which can't be helped. I still feel that the car is not quite right, dealer says my front tyres are worn further on the inside and although still have quite a lot of tread on them should be replaced to achieve correct handling. I've run out of cash at this point so it'll have to wait. I've not had a chance to really test the car as its either been wet or icy since I got it back and as it never stuck to the road all that well in those conditions I'm not sure, just being very very careful for now. |
| Carolyn |
| 110 quid for tracking? Ouch! Will definitely be worth your while finding somewhere else to check this for you if needed in future. If Leamington Spa is not too far for you, then I would recommend Techspeed :o) |
| Rob Bell |
| <<dealer says my front tyres are worn further on the inside and although still have quite a lot of tread on them should be replace>> I take it with the £110 tracking the sorted out the toe in and camber of the front wheels to eliminate the terrible front tyre wear. |
| Nkosi_Ecosse |
| >> If Leamington Spa is not too far for you<< About 150 miles and 2,1/2 hours Rob :o( |
| Mark.L |
| I would have searched around for someone cheaper but I'd taken it to the MG dealer as its still under warranty and I thought it may have been something more major that I could have got for free... It should sort the front tyre wear now I hope. Thanks for the help! |
| Carolyn |
| I'm guessing the £100 included hydragas pumping, so it's not quite as bad as it looks originally... |
| Will Munns |
| No Will, it's a TF, don't have hydragas, I have the take your fillings out suspension instead... |
| Carolyn |
| Carolyn, I've had exactly the same issues. I too have a TF135, for example on one morning it drives fine when hard pressed, on the way home, back-end stepping out and sliding when powering out of corners. Not hard I might add. I've checked the archive for tracking information, but it does not seam relevant to the TF. The only thing I have noticed is this happens when there is a lot of dew around, just following sunset. The roads a re a bit greasy and with the dew on the cold surface, a light car makes for slippy conditions. I've even tried various tyre pressures but with no improvement from 26 front 28 rear. I've not checked the tracking, but given it grips like a cat with glue on its paws in the dry, I'm not convinced. I'm also not convinced my dealer would be up to the job anyway. My solution is just to drive very cautious when it's cold and damp. Rain is fine though. If you do find anything physically wrong with the car I'd get grateful if you post it, 'cos I'd love to remove the worry. |
| Rosie |
| Carolyn, If you've fitted new tyres to the back it will take a few hundred miles for them to settle down, even if it's the same make and model as your front tyres. Rosie, Could it just be the tyres that you've got fitted? Handles well in the dry but not up to damp conditions. The Goodyear NCT3s originally fitted to the Fs had a dreadful reputation in the wet |
| David Clelland |
| Motorcycle News (MCN) this week highlighted 'Britains slimy roads' - caused, so they report, by a new type of road salt. This new grit/salt is designed to reduce corrosion and needs less grit/salt to be spread. MCN reckons there's been a build up of this new stuff and it's causing many problems. No problem for my little MGF - and no real problems for my Suzuki either. Perhaps I've just been lucky so far! PS - anyone else see the test drive of the Rover coupe in today's Sun? And the picture of the new '45' ? 'twas the report of the new Triumph ST that I really noticied :-) |
| Steve |
| There was a post on "Scooynet" the other week about the new type of "road salt". According to someone on there, the this salt contains some form of animal fat, and it is this that has been creating problems on wet road surfaces. |
| Neil Sutton |
| Rosie, those are the incorrect tyre pressures for a TF, also spring rates are a bit suspect for 'good' handling. Mike. |
| mike |
| <<< There was a post on "Scooynet" the other week about the new type of "road salt". According to someone on there, the this salt contains some form of animal fat, and it is this that has been creating problems on wet road surfaces. >>> So that is the cr@p that I slipped on when powering out of the roundabout |
| John |
This thread was discussed between 31/01/2005 and 14/02/2005
MG MGF Technical index
This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.