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 - MGF Technical Spefications needed (Camber)

Hi all,

I need to get the technical specification for the acceptable tolerances of the alignment on my MGF.


An MG tech did a four-wheel alignment on my car and the results are as follows.

Left Front Camber 0.44
Right Front Camber 0.42

Left Rear Camber 1.21
Right Rear Camber 2.16

The Tech said that all of this was fine and there was nothing wrong with the car.
But, it is my understanding that the rear right setting are out-with the acceptable specifications.

The car is under warranty

Thanks in advance,

Regards,


Danny
Daniel Rivers

Daniel,

I don't have the camber specifications here at work, but I'm sure you will get an answer really quick! Mind you that (as far as know) the F's camber is not adjustable. It depends on suspension links and their chassis "anchorage".
Valter

For standard tracking figures, have a look at http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/facts_and_figures/tracking_data.htm

The camber values are a little on the high side - but should not cause any problems. You need a lot of camber to get adverse tyre wear for example...!

As Valter says, camber is not independently adjustable. The only way to get any change in camber on the MGF suspension is to alter the ride height (normal range, as indicated, is 368mm ±10mm at 17C).
Rob Bell

Thaks guys,

What Im reading from your link though rob is that the camber tolerance shoul be plus or minus .2 degrees...

But the settings that I have are nearly 1 degree out on the rear...

Seing as these cannot be altered could there be an issue with the frame??

Regards,


Danny
Danny Rivers

Danny, your angles are written decimal.
The values @Rob are minutes.
30 Minutes is 0.50 degrees. So your cars rear camber is only out 0.66 degrees.
Just forget it. Nothing to worry about.
Dieter K.

Dieter,assuming the camber figures are negative;-)
Danny,the rear camber figures could be better though.Possibly worn suspension parts.
Mike.
mike

above 50 and later then 8pm I always think negative ;)

back serious.
>Possibly worn suspension parts.

Would direct to more negative camber , does it ?
Dieter K.

The reason I am more concerned about this is because my car seems to have a slight bias on the steering wheel... (Its been like this for the last 2 years, that many 4 wheel alignments that I have lost count)

The MG Tech says that this is across the board over all MGF's... (sounds like a fob off to me)

The MG Regional manager for my area said that all of the reports are within MG specification and that they are not going to do anything about my problem...

Regards,


Danny
Daniel Rivers

>>I am more concerned about this is because my car seems to have a slight bias on the steering wheel...<<

Hi Danny, can you clarify what you mean?

Do you mean that the steering wheel is offset, so that it is partially rotated when travelling in a straight line

OR

Do you mean that the car pulls to one side or follows the camber on the road?

Either case is NOT an MGF trait, and in both cases the problem can be sorted.

Mike Satur's workshops are probably the closest independent MGF specialist to you.
Rob Bell

The problem is as follows....

If i am driveing straight, then slowly move the wheel maybe a couple of degrees to the left, the car moves to the left...

Now if i am driving straight, then slowly move the wheel maybe a couple of degrees to the right the car still goes straight...

It take more of a turn to make the car go right.. We are not talking a lot here, but it is noticable...

The car does not pull in any direction... I am currently in discussion with the dealer and MG Rover.

All information on myself and my car and this case has been requested off both of them under the data protection act 1998.

I am looking to prove that they are saying the car is with-in specifications when it is not.

The four wheel alignment seens to show this...


Regards,
Daniel Rivers


Hi all,
doesen´t that sound like a shot /damaged track rod end ? And there has been reports of the steering rack being not tighted enough = check the u-bolts from rack to subframe.
PS. rod ends /ball joints of newer cars tend to feel OK even if they are shot. They need pressure from a substantial lever to show up any excess play !

BR, Carl.
Carl Blom

I'm inclined to agree with Carl that this sounds more like a problem with the steering - be that steering rack, track rod ends or what ever.

Danny, you didn't mention the toe-angles. I presume that these are set correctly?

Has the car ever been involved in an accident, leading to movement of the subframes?

Are the track-rods in good condition, and straight?
Rob Bell

Left Front Toe -0 10
Right Front Toe -0 10

Left Rear Toe 0 11
Right Rear Toe 0 09

Total Toe Front -20
Steer Ahead 0 00

Total Toe Rear 0 20
Thrust Angle 0 01

This has been an issue from day one out of the show room...

Dealership just kept saying that there was no problem...
Danny Rivers

They're spot on Danny - but toe and camber are not the whole story.

How old is your car? I gather that you know its entire history.

It may be possible that there is a problem with the front (or even rear) subframe alignment.

Dieter has more info on this - but I can't find the correct link?

If you are having a lot of problems with your dealers, then perhaps it is time to consider an independent specialist's help? It all depends on whether you want the dealer to pay up or not, of course...
Rob Bell

The car was purchased from new from the dealership.

Worst-case scenario, I think I may pay a visit to MS for a full report on the car...

I received a letter from the MG Rover Group stating that the car is within manufacturers tolerances.

I forwarded this with a copy of the four-wheel alignment report. To Kevin Howe of the MG rover group.

Waiting to hear from them now...

Regards,


Danny Rivers
Daniel Rivers

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2003 and 07/02/2003

MG MGF Technical index

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