MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey 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 MGB Technical - Frontline Costello

I am considering installing the Frontline Costello front suspension replacement , the rear panhard rod and front caster wedges on my 70 B.
Has anyone done this and what is your impression?
Many thanks.
Jon Rosenthall

I did what you proposed and was not pleased. If you want more info send me an e-mail and I'll give the details. I am not prepared to put my experiences and views on public show. You could always call me 00 44 1225 840177
Bob Marshall

I put the castor wedges on with neg camber wishbones to my V8 roadster -much easier steering and improved cornering at the expense of a tendency to wander in a straight line -same problem as with a modded Sunbeam Tiger so expecteed !
ap lestocq

This has all been aired fully in the thread "Costello Suspension" 4/4/05-07/04/05, in the MGB Engine Conversions section.
I have all the Frontline mods. The coil over kit at the front is ok, but the clearance between the Bilstein damper body and the front crossmember on one side and the king pin housing on the other side is quite tight (there is a nut just in the wrong place), even when you have ground off enough from the cross member. There is no problem when the car is on the ground, but when jacked up and the wishbones are fully down it is easy for there to be side pressure on the damper body so be careful. I was concerned that the springs I was using did not give enough clearence for the dampers to allow upwards movement. Following advice from Tim Fenna I re-mounted the wishbone units on 1/2 aluminium packing plates with longer bolts. This has done the trick.
I have found the castor wedges ok. and still use them despite the Brown and Gammons "knocking copy".

At the rear I have the full 5 link coil over system. It is very expensive, but the ride and cornering is actually very good indeed. The worst thing is cutting off the anti roll bar mountings on a late rubber bumper model when fitting the system; only just possible with wearing out a Dremel with endless broken cutting discs etc. All the rest of the fitting is staightfoward but I never want to see another metric nut and bolt again; it uses loads and all torqued up tight.

I have recently had the alignment at front and rear checked on a laser set up at my local tyre dealers and the verdict amazed me; "a very straight car", so the mods do deem to hang together.

I think its perhaps a shame that Bob doesn't feel able to give a fair critique of his problems, that way the manufacturer could give a reasoned response.

Steve Musgrave

Remember that the front cross member is held in place with 4 bolts that each have their own bushing. In other words a wedge is a little redundant. A few of big washers on the back bolts should do the trick and the small angle will be soaked up by the bushes.
Personally I like the way the car is already set up at the front, but everyone is different.
The back does need work. The MGB was orrigionally designed for trailing arms and the leaf springs were a last minute change driven by $$.
Peter

jon, i have a complete very good condition RV8 front crossmember with koni's, big vented brakes, etc. $1850.00 usd which includes shipping to you if you are interested in going a slightly different route?
james madson

Jon
I have the castor wedges on my s/c B. As far as I can tell they make no difference to the steering. The physics is sound-slip angles /crossplies to radials- but in driving terms no appreciable difference.

They do, however on a RV8...apparently

ps how's the s/c register coming on?

Michael
Michael Beswick

Hi James,
Your offer is quite tempting however a little rich perhaps. Would this be a "bolt-on" conversion or does one have to fit-it and is the steering rack included?

Michael,
Very intesting that you have not noticed any difference with the wedges.
As far as the SC register goes, shortly after my invitation to sign up, my work duties increased 5 fold, and since April I have been moving house & home throwing a monkey wrench to the website development.
I am currently looking to August when things will settle down a bit.
Cheers

Jon Rosenthall

This thread was discussed between 15/06/2007 and 23/06/2007

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now