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MG MGB Technical - Anti-tramp, and pan-rod arms

In my chase for more performance and having re-newed the suspension, inevitably one starts to get critical of ride and other idiosyncracies. What is the difference between a pair of anti-tramp ladders and a pan-rod arm? I know both tend to stop the axle from moving laterally, and one prevents twist of the springs,can one make these? Mike
J.M. Doust

Anti-tramp bars are different from a Panhard rod. The anti-tramp bars bolt fore and aft between the centre of the leaf spring and the front spring mounting. They attempt to stop the spring "lozenging" when you make a rapid get away.

The Panhard rod goes across the car. One end is jointed to the axle case and the other to the body, so that although the axle can still go up and down it can't move sideways.
Mike Howlett

So, can one make a panhard rod? If I find suitable mounting areas or 'copy' a set up? Could I go too far wrong? Should it have a 'moveable' joint?( although this may negate the lateral movement resistance.)I ask this because on hard cornering I do feel a sort of floaty feeling at the back. The car does have a nice taught,squat stance and all is properly torqued, but I guess what I may be feeling is lateral movement of the axle? Mike
J.M. Doust

Mike, have a look at this. Don't know if they are still available but it will give you some idea of how much is involved.

http://www.frontlinedevelopments.com/products/mgb/panhardrodkit.shtml

Also wikipedia knows all about it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_rod

Tony
Tony Oliver

tramps bars and panhard-rods are available from different sources like Limora (SC parts in the UK) and others.
I have a set of tramp bars on my car since 1982 and they are really worth every penny: no more axle tramp, and a precisely located suspension at the rear change the ride noticeably: the cars feels more secure while cornering and you apply much more power to the wheels form standstill because there is no more axle movement.
Once I had a friend drive in my car, who also owns a B and he was amazed at how fast I entered a roundabout while to me it didnīt seem fast or dangerous at all.
Joern-M

Obviously depends on your springs but the attached have just been fitted. Parabolics with an extra half leaf.

Previous springs lozenged in 3 months. Initial tests look/ feel good. Depends how long these last.......

Michael Beswick

You can copy a Panhard rod from the many on the market today. Using a Hiem joint, at either end, will allow the rod to pivot in all directions, just a bit, to prevent binding. RAY
rjm RAY

Thanks all, another project! Mike
J.M. Doust

Michael,

Can you indicate the source for these springs?

Joern,

Can you indicate the source of your anti-tramp bars?
I've read mixed reviews on anti-tramp bars, and I'd like to know the good sources!

I have parabolics on the V8 and am seriously considering anti-tramp bars at the moment, as the car gets very wobbly under ac- en deceleration and I'm rather worried about the combination of parabolics and torque.
Do anti-tramp bars also contain the axle laterally?

Cheers!

Alex
(still have the crossflow '65 and have added 2 GT V8's, one of which is for sale)
Alexander M

Anti-tramp bars and Panhard rods will both control the axle but at a cost, plus you will still have cart springs. If you want to go radical put trailing arms and coil-overs on. See Bill Guzman's set up.......it works well.
Allan Reeling

Alex the springs were parabolics from MGOC who no longer recommend them for "uprated" engines! The third leaf was added by Brost Forge in London. There were no "specs" for the third leaf. The forge just does it by "feel"! My s/c puts out about 140 at the engine so not too dis-similar from the original V8. I'm not sure about anything much more than this. A number of V8 users have reverted to cart springs. My set up seems to be holding up so far but it is only about 6 months and 1000 miles. Quality of the parabolics is debatable too! As far as I could tell there are only 2 types: for chrome bumper and for rubber bumper and V8. The second have a slightly higher rating to compensate for the weight of the R/B not the torque of a V8

I guess it depends on whether you can find a forge local to you that understands either MGBs or at least the practicalities of fitting a third leaf. Some V8 users swear by, others- at, anti tramp bars. See V8 notes. My own view is that the those offered by Moss seem to rely on a pair? of bolts through the floor. I think the Frontline version has a more substantial bracket arrangement.


http://www.v8register.net/subpages/V8NOTE369.htm
Michael Beswick

Allan,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm sure it works really well but I don't want to go radical.

Michael,

Thanks for the info! I'll look into the Moss option (even though I'm slightly worried about the fact that they rely on a few bolts through the floor). The V8note was very enlightening. The RV8 option looks interesting too!

I'm also rather worried the MGOC no longer recommend parabolics for uprated engines, there's a pair of Burgess modified cylinder heads waiting to be installed!

Keep the info coming guys!
Alexander M

If your V8s are firebreathing monsters, I wouldn't touch parabolics with a barge pole. That said Doug Jackson at MG Motorsport uses them on race cars I think but they are heavily modified by them before fitting.
Michael Beswick

Michael,

I'll get in touch with Doug, but I suppose that would have to be Doug Smith, no?

Has anyone 'copied' the system on the RV8? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on this subject (or I'm looking in all the wrong places)

Alex
Alexander M

Sorry yes Doug Smith
Michael Beswick

This thread was discussed between 31/01/2012 and 14/07/2012

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