MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

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 MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Axle location/anti-tramp options??

I'd posted a similar question on the "General" BBS but realized that you guys would probably know more about this ... what are the options for axle location/anti-tramp options? I have seen installations involving both a Panhard bar and traction bars ... a very busy installation which requires a lot of welding and drilling. I have heard that there may be some sort of A-frame piece available from Moss UK or Hopkinson that locates the axle well, simultaneously performing Panhard and anti-tramp functions. Is this true, and if so are they any good?

One of the fellows over on the General BBS suggested installing a set of the "universal" traction bars, such as can be purchased from JEGs or Summit. You just fasten them to the leaf springs themselves, and they have a rubber bumper that hits the bottom of the car if the spring begins to wrap. That sounds like a simple and fairly elegant solution to me ... the thing I hate about the traction bar setups I've seen, especially those built with torque arms, is that they bind the spring motion. Seems to me the universal type would not at all. Nevertheless, you obviously wouldn't want to use them with composite springs!

Anyhow, what's the best option, with a strong bias toward low-tech simplicity and preservation of ride quality?
Harry M. Peeters

fao John Bourke.
Interesting idea. I have a JEGS catalogue!
BobP
robert pulleyblank

robert, what does "fao" mean?!?
Harry

For Attention Of
David Smith

Over this long weekend I entertained myself by going to the local "pick and pull" junkyard and looked at some rear ends, car that is. The Nissan Z thru 1985 used the same 4 bolt wheel pattern as the MGB. The rear suspension is independent. Before the '84/300z they have a telescoping splined rear axle irs system with a fairly compact disc brake and parking break system that looks adaptable. The early Maxima (the one with the straight six before '84 had the same basic rear suspension. Salvage parts could be located for cheap. The splines section would have to be cut to narrow the track some, no doubt and there would be the wheel location issue. I suggest the existing spring (steel or fiberglass) be used together with a strut paralell to the axle from the differential to the wheel backing to locate and stablize the wheel. It should be lighter overall as well as reduce unsprung weight. A little playing with the strut in length or radius location could change camber and produce a "tuneable" rear end. The strut would also provide side to side (panhard) location. More realistic rear axle ratio too. On hi horsepower cars axle wind up would not be a problem as all the twist is in the center differential and not restrained by the leaf spring. Braking would tend to twist the spring, but at hi loads the weight shifts forward, traction is reduced and the rear doesn't produce spring twisting torque to the degree acceleration does. By the way the site John Wish refers to has a real good paper re auto suspension. http://www.rqriley.com/suspensn.html
Barry
Barry Parkinson

Harry, the problem with most bolt on traction bars is ground clearance. Most are designed for American muscle cars with large diameter rear tires. Fabrication of a set of traction bars which will not cause undue spring motion bind is fairly easy and in-expensive. I have more information if you wish.
Bill Youngk

Bill,
I am interested in further information. I have found exactly as you state, that most traction bars (reasonably priced) would result in a gound clearance problem.


Thanks in advance.


Bruce
Bruce

This thread was discussed between 21/11/2000 and 30/11/2000

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS now