Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

tips, technology, tools and techniques related to non-driveline mechanical components

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Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Two snapshots...
Posted by: Moderator
Date: May 30, 2012 04:28PM

Thought you guys might enjoy these. I'll put together some words and better photos soon.

LimitedPrepMGBFrontSusp.jpg

Lowered ride height. Raised roll center. Eliminated bump steer. Shorter roll couple. Stiffer spring/wheel rate. Etc.

ModifiedArmstrong.jpg

As suggested by Henk-Jan Vonk's How It Was Done article... but I was in a great rush to get my car back on the ground before BritishV8 2012 so I elected to sweat details myself. (Henk-Jan was happy to supply modified lever shocks for a reasonable price, but the lead time for shipping would have scuttled my trip.)

With ~3000 miles of testing completed, my initial impression is extremely favorable.

However I plan to take everything apart for inspection, just to be safe.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: mgb260
Date: May 30, 2012 07:31PM

Curtis, Looks good! Is that Dave Headley's drop spindle? What spring rate?


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: Moderator
Date: May 30, 2012 09:07PM

Thanks!

No, I did NOT use Dave Headley's drop spindles. Instead, I used the Dick Luening ("Killer Beez") version as recommended by and procured from John Targett at Targett Motorsport. With the Dick Luening version, the spring loaded dust/grease shield is retained and fully functional. I was able to simply swap over my kingpins. I checked clearance, and didn't even have to change shims! I don't know for certain, but I've been told that Dave Headley modifies the kingpin too. To correct bump steer, Dick offers special wide-angle Heim joints, or alternatively he offers modified MG steering arms (as I used.)

Springs are by Eibach: 6" length x 2.25" ID x 525#/in.


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Two snapshots..., I don't know why
Posted by: roverman
Date: May 31, 2012 10:40AM

By comparison, my Huffaker GT-1 uses 2.5" id. x 9.5" with 350lb/in., front. I suspect with improvement in tires since mid eighties, 'I will need more rate. Cheers, rovertman.


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: mgb260
Date: May 31, 2012 11:14AM

Art, Thats why I asked Curtis about the rate. I knew you would need more in the MGB becauce the lower mount would be further away from the spindle (less leverage) compared to Mustang II where 350-400 would be about right. Curtis, thanks for the info!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 11:23AM by mgb260.


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Two snapshots...I shall clarify
Posted by: roverman
Date: May 31, 2012 02:59PM

I shall not talk about the Jensen Healey, for awhile, at least until the Huffaker GT-1 is restored and raceworthy. I will be keeping it McPhearson strut in front, but likey stronger spindles and double-just Koni inserts. Thanks, roverman.


Scott68B
Scott Costanzo
Columbus, Ohio
(561 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:30AM

Main British Car:
1968 MGB GM 5.3 LS4 V8

authors avatar
Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: Scott68B
Date: June 01, 2012 10:26AM

Hi Curtis,

Are the tops of coil springs using the original upper locators in the cross member or are they incorporated into the shock?

Thanks!

-- Scott



Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: Moderator
Date: June 01, 2012 05:14PM

Coilover.jpg


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: roverman
Date: June 01, 2012 07:36PM

Curtis, How much shock travel ? Wheel rate ? Cheers, roverman.


Scott68B
Scott Costanzo
Columbus, Ohio
(561 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 11:30AM

Main British Car:
1968 MGB GM 5.3 LS4 V8

authors avatar
Re: Two snapshots...
Posted by: Scott68B
Date: October 29, 2012 08:22PM

Sorry to bring this back from the dead but Moss Europe is having a sale on the GAZ shocks featured in this thread, FYI.

Part No. TMG49025

Scott


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