Sounds like a complete front end rebuild is in order. The kingpins seem
to be binding, the bushings are shot, the tie rod ends are shot, the
wheel bearings are going. The shocks, too. After replacing all that you
might be able to tell how the steering rack is doing.
It sounds daunting but it's the first thing I did to my B as well. As
Kantner Auto Parts always says in their catalogs, "Do it once and do it
right!".
Just today as I was breezing (well, more like hurricaning) down a
California freeway, top down, enjoying the sunshine, charging the on
ramps, I was thinking, "The steering feel in this car is a religious
experience". So that's what you have to look forward to! It's worth it...
(just say I've been converted)
Max
Mike Richardson had this to say:
>Hi to all
>
>Having spent the last 20 years dreaming about owning an MG, I've just picked
>up a Russet Brown 78BGT at a knock down price. The bodywork is lovely and
>had an extensive restoration about 6 years ago, however on the mechanical
>side I think there is a bit of work to be done.
>
> I use the car to drive to work every day which is about 10 miles but
>unfortunately it is certainly not the 'MG experience' that I expected. The
>steering is very stiff and when cornering it just wants to keep on going
>round, you have to force it back to straighten up. When driving along the
>motorway it constantly pulls to the left and when changing direction it
>takes all my concentration to keep the car from wandering all over the
>place. At low revs around town i.e. when the engine noise doesn't drown
>everything out, there are a lot of squeaks and rattles at the front of the
>car, especially when going over speed humps.
> When turning the steering wheel at very low speed i.e. when parking, there
>is a creaking noise on the front n/s. Also going round a left hand bend at
>anything more than 20 mph is a terrifying experience to say the least.
> Here are my initial observations:
>
>I have jacked up the front of the car with both front wheels off of the
>ground and the steering is still quite stiff. The n/s/f tyre is worn on the
>outside and I've also noticed underneath that the o/s front lever arm is
>leaking badly. Also the o/s track rod end boot is split and the n/s rack
>gaiter is split. Most rubber bushes are perished and it certainly doesn't
>look like any work has been done for a long time.
>
>Both front wheels are running freely with no sign of the brakes binding but
>I have noticed that there is a fair bit of play when you give the wheels a
>good shake.
>
>With the front back on the ground, if you bounce up and down on the wings,
>the o/s (with the leaky shock) actually feels quite normal, but the n/s will
>only move about an inch and feels extremely stiff (this is where the
>creaking noise is coming from).
>
>On the flip side this car is a beautiful machine and it's a shame that the
>handling doesn't match the looks.
>I would dearly love to restore this car to its former glory and would like
>to know if any of the above is common on MGB's. I'm sure that at the very
>least the car needs the front wheels aligned but I think that the underlying
>trouble is a lot more serious.
>
> I am not a mechanic but I've done most things on cars e.g. engine
>overhauls, clutches, brakes, tuning etc... is it beyond the average DIY
>enthusiast to overhaul the front end on one of these things or is it best
>left to the local MG garage? I would really appreciate anyone's help on
>this or directions to the FAQ's.
>
>Mike Richardson
>78 MG BGT
>
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
Runs great,
looks particularly bad since some SUV clown backed into it.
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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