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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - frontline shock settings

Hopefully a quick question...

Just spent an afternoon fitting frontline front suspension to my midget, managed to fit one side so far.

I was wondering what setting that people run their shocks at. I tried on the middle setting, but don't seem to be able to even bounce the car, so have wound back to the softest.

Also what toe in should I set the tracking to?

My car is running a k-series engine with standard 1275 front springs.

Thanks,
John


John Collins

I use 2 clicks from the softest.


flip
Flip Brühl 948 frog 59

Hi John,

I was doing the same last weekend.

I have a vague recollection of some advice from another member that the shocks should be fitted with the adjusters facing the inside of the chassis.

This was to avoid potential tyre rubbing and accidental adjustment of the setting. I've done mine that way but have yet to fit the wheels let alone engine.

You may want to check the clearance for yours. Perhaps not an issue for you.
Paul Clark

I set the tracking to 0
Feels nice but no official grounds for this choise
Onno Könemann

mine are fitted by the "specialist expert suppliers" (I wish they were) same as yours - adjuster facing out

depending if you count the first click as '0' or '1' I have mine at '2' or '3' from softest - with uprated ARB and front springs

start soft and go one click up each time of test driving until you don't like it then back down one click

tyres pressure makes a difference too
Nigel At

"I have a vague recollection of some advice from another member that the shocks should be fitted with the adjusters facing the inside of the chassis.
This was to avoid potential tyre rubbing and accidental adjustment of the setting. I've done mine that way but have yet to fit the wheels let alone engine."

I used a modified Frontline bottom mount and custom top mount, along with the AVO dampers, on our racer. Even with 6J rims and 7.5" slicks there are NO fouling problems with the adjuster being outboard, so that 'advice' is more a degree of hysteria than hard fact!


Tracking wise I set the Midgets I work on to 0 Toe. This gives a better steering feel and a far better 'turn in' although it might be a tad twitchy for the 'average user' in a road car.
Deborah Evans

Thanks for all replies,

I finished the fitting of the frontline kit and have set the dampers on the 3rd click from softest (counting the first click as one).

Took it for tracking and had it set to 0 toe as suggested.

To be honest, I'm a bit dissapointed in it all, I had peter may negative camber trunnions on the car before and it had visibly more negative camber on the front wheels, and it turned in far sharper than now. I'm tempted to take it all off and go back to how it was before - but I'll drive it for a week or so and see how it goes.
John Collins

1mm toe in and number 5 works for me. Set the adjusters to the inside. Mine foul on both sides. So much so that I had to fit lock stops.
Tim Dalton

forget to mention I run 14inch rims.
Tim Dalton

John
If you had neg camber trunions and good shocks it is not a real upgrade!
You could have gotten away with just a top link kit to make it more stable under braking.
That is now the only benifit you have and only noticable on track or during emergency braking
Onno Könemann

This thread was discussed between 02/09/2011 and 04/09/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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