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MG MGA - Steering - self centering.

Would it be normal for an MGA steering to self centre automatically? Mine’s on 165x15’s and steers well and true, doesn’t wear tyres unevenly or over quickly, so no complaints, but has never self centred. So, not a problem, just curious.
Bruce.
Bruce Mayo

It sounds like your car has the proper suspension geometry set up, the wheels/tires are balanced & run true, and with proper tire pressure, all which allows the MGA to properly follow the line of the wheel track. Self centering would be expected in a properly maintained MGA.
Nick Kopernik

I'm almost sure there was a previous thread on this in the MGA section (if not another model on here), have a look in the Archives.
Nigel Atkins

If it's all greased up (the car needs the wheels hanging off the ground to grease it properly) and the rack is adjusted correctly it should self centre, unless you have something weird like a seized tierod end or something--
Best to jack it up and make sure you can turn the wheel from lock to lock easily, just using one finger on the s/wheel and check for any tight spots
William Revit

Hi Bruce,
I may have been the one to ask the same question on here a year or two ago when I fitted the electric power steering.

The steering on my MGA has never shown any strong self centering though, even before I installed the EPS.

I have always assumed that it was down to the very wide wheels and tyres on the car, 185 x 65 x 15.
Also, for many years I ran the car with lowered suspension and negative camber wishbones and I thought that this was the main reason for the lack of self centering. But when I returned the suspension back to the standard set-up, there was still almost no noticeable self centering effect.

After I installed the EPS, I did a fast run on some tight bends and I did find that there was a very slight self- centering effect if I let go of the steering wheel. Just enough make the car veer very gently towards the kerbside.

I suppose a full steering geometry check-up would be a good idea, but the car is handling pretty well just now, so there is no urgency.

Also, I still have a lot of stuff to refit to the car after its respray to get it ready for the summer, so it will have to wait until the winter lay-off to have it checked over. (Not sure which winter though :^)

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

This thread was discussed between 28/04/2022 and 01/05/2022

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