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MG MGF Technical - Lowering knuckles

I've got an MGF 1.8i, I like my MGF 1.8i, but I've been wondering about them there lowering knuckles.

The grip of the thing is fabulous but things can always be improved.

So how much better does a lowered F handle?

And how much would it cost to make this mod?

And what'd the insurance company say? I suspect that a mod like this would send the premium through the roof. On the other hand, why should it when, potentially, it'd make the car safer? I am insured with Ecclesiastical (I would ask them about this myself, but I am insurance company phobic.)
Steven Perkins

Steve,
Phone Victoria at the MGF Centre. Your car will be lowered and your wallet will survive. I can't tell if the handling is much better as it was good already, probably less bodyroll though. For me the big attraction of the lowering is the appearance, you will love it. MGF Centre 01902 403045. Not an employee, just a customer.
anita roberts

Steve i have lowering knuckles fitted and found grip,body roll much improved, at high speeds stability is improved by reducing the aerodynamic lift under car , roll hoops will make firmness even better when can afford,but MS wind stop will have to do for know,i think the factory set ride height is excessivley high as the gap from top of tyre to body work seems very noticable, cost of lowering knuckles are just under £100 not fitted,i also have adj spax shocks with strengthening plates welded at rear,you can go on and on,i think to have my work done it cost me about£150, as wheel alighnment ect has to be redone,here's a pic of mine lowered, Dave,
http://www.xpower-mg.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1342&password=&1&thecat=500
DC Morris

OOps, forgot to say i was with Sun alliance when i had my mods done and they would not continue my ins, i am
now with Ecclesiastical ins same as you through Pete
Best ,and no probs at all, Dave.
DC Morris

I did wonder about fitting lowering knuckles and insurance. I've seen 'F's that look lowered but must just be the hydragas being really low. Unless you knew what to look for, would they really know it was lowered, even after a smash?

The 'F' is a sports car after-all?

Leigh
Leigh Reid

Leigh,
can't speak for UK insurance terms. Though they are similar to the DE TUEV individual approvals which must be written as a change to the car registration records.
We pay once only for an approval (30EURO) and I think you pay annual charge as long as the mod is registered.

The only change in our DE car records is written as car height change.
Standard is 1259mm
new after knuckle change is written as 1190mm.
They measure roof to floor height, but don't ask me how they deal with it at the MOT or here in DE at TUEV car checks. I think the 1190mm is the minimum then.

btw, regarding improved handling... I think you should keep in mind that the Toe angles need to be corrected in any way after height change ...

[ironical] ... and may be they meet by coincidence the 'right' measures ;)

Regards
Dieter
Dieter K.

Steven,

I have the knuckles fitted to my car and very nice the car looks too. However, you will probably find no change in the handling of the car as a result. All of the suspension geometry stays the same as too does the pessure in the hydragas system. The car will have a 25-30mm lower centre of gravity but frankly this is so minimal that by itself will not affect the handling. If you what to improve the handling then you really do need to consider new shocks and bushes.

When it comes to the crunch lowering knuckles just make the car look A LOT nicer and eliminate the 'freelander' mode ride height, so it is still very much worth while but not really a performance up-grade.

Tim
tim woolcott

Hi Steven,

I think that the chaps have already thoroughly answered your lowering knuckle query.

Bottom line? Yes, they are worth fitting. The knuckles from B&G/ Mike Satur cost about 100 quid.

Don't expect a HUGE improvement in handling. If you really want to transform your car, think about fitting new dampers. The best I've tried are the ones that Techspeed fit. Not the cheapest by any means, but in the world of dampers (like many others), you get what you pay for, and it is worth paying for Bilstein quality.

The basic Techspeed handling kit weighs in at 600 notes. Then, once you've got the handling bug, get the TF steering rack fitted as well ;o)

Enjoy!

Darkside Bob
Rob Bell

Yep go for the lowering knuckles - makes the car look a lot better. I refuse to have a splitter on our car 'cause they are soooo uuuuugly (IMHO!). I am sure the car is more stable at speed since lowering.

Only word of warning is not to drop ride height below 245mm. If you lower below this your car will be constantly running aground on the fool speed humps than are the nanny state's idea of road improvement!

Cheers

Patrick
Patrick Beet

> Don't expect a HUGE improvement in handling.

I find the handling pretty good at the moment TBQH, however there have been times (last CSMGF run) where I felt the car was at it's limit. Came round a corner and had DC looming large in my mirrors, so would like a little improvement in the road-holding. May just be an age thing (Car, not me)

Leigh
Leigh

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2003 and 26/04/2003

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