Rich the following information I "lifted" from a web site. The author is
given credit at the end of the article.
Larry
==================================
It is not uncommon to see LHD MGB's with a left hand "lean to" condition.
I have replaced countless front and rear road springs individually and
during the suspension rebuild process and what is most frustrating after
replacing these items, is to see the vehicle still leaning. The first
reaction is to assume that the front coil springs, or rear leaf springs,
are not matched sets. Now, imagine how further frustrating it is, after
changing the road springs from side to side, to see the vehicle still
leaning to the left! Let me tell you that if your MGB is leaning to the
left (front & rear lean condition) in all probability it will still lean
to this side after front and rear road spring replacement. My belief is
that this is caused by the monoque body shell taking a "set" condition,
which is due to many years of "driver only" driving conditions.
If after changing the road springs from side to side, and this left "lean
to" condition still exists, proceed as follows: install 1/2" spacer block
(British Automotive's 1/2" spacer blocks are stackable) to the R/H rear
between the nylatron pad (always use nylatron pads instead of rubber) and
the metal axle locating plate. Drive the vehicle around the block to
settle the suspension and return to same location. Recheck vehicle ride
height - hopefully, this would have solved the problem. If not, proceed
with the following: Install a 3/16" spacer (2 max. permissible) on top of
the L/H front road spring. Drive around the block again and return to the
same location, recheck vehicle ride height. Now, if your vehicle still
leans to the left, you could install an additional rear spacer block
and/or front coil spring spacer which should rectify the most severe of
"lean". Remember, you will need longer U-bolts when installing 1/2"
spacer blocks.
Finally, installing new steel springs may not achieve the ride height you
desire when fitted, however, remember that steel springs will sag with
time, especially the rear. We prefer to instruct the customer to drive
the vehicle for several months before carrying out the ride height
trimming process as outlined above.
British Automotive (Doug Jackson)
doug@mgbmga.com
================================
On Fri, 25 Apr 1997 13:27:39 -0500 Rich Mason <rmason@ro.com> writes:
>I recently installed GT V-8 A-arm bushings in my '73B and found the bolt
>securing the wishbone arms to the king pin to be stuck on the right
side. I
>presume the bolt is rusted to the spacer (distance tube). The seals
>(probably original) broke off in my hand while trying to free the bolt -
so
>I have to disassemble it again to install new seals as a minimum (once I
>order the parts I need). Any tried and proven techniques for freeing
this
>up short of pulling the king pin and beating the bolt into submission?
>
>Also...the car had brand new tires on it when I purchased it, and the
left
>front wheel has a noticeable negative camber (I installed new rear leaf
>springs in 11/96). The left side rides lower than the right side by 1 to
>1-1/2". There is also some evidence of a scrape with a curb or other
>man-made object along the right side rocker panel and fender - so the
>possibility of something being bent is not out of the question.
>
>When I removed the left spring pan - there was an extra piece of spring
coil
>in there, presumably as a shim to help the ride height. Free height of
the
>two springs were within 1/8" of each other and within spec - but as I
did
>one side at a time, I did not swap them. The "taller" spring is on the
>right side.
>
>Can the coil springs noticeably affect the camber?
>
>Are the shims between the swivel axle and the trunnion capable of
adjusting
>the camber some?
>
>Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Rich Mason
>'73 MGB
>Huntsville, AL
>__________________________________________
>e-mail--> rmason@ro.com
>WWW-----> http://ro.com/~rmason
>MG Page-> http://ro.com/~rmason/mgpage.htm
>__________________________________________
>
>
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