[Zmagnette] Road-Wandering Magnette

[Steve Hanegan]

Steve K's response makes perfect sense to me, and would be the least costly place to start. I would also run the front tires with a couple of pounds less (2-3) than the rears, say 32R, 29F (cold).

If this doesn't fix the problem, I would then start by looking at the rack to crossmember mounting grommets/shims to make sure they are goot-n-tight (as my German mentor Udo would put it...) from there, perhaps your INNER tie rod ball ends are a skosh worn. Take a look at this site: http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=7981 , items 13 - 15 & 18 are as listed in the Magnette Parts book. Shim stock in .003 and .005 comes from Grainger easy enough, though I think that MGB front hub shims are similar.

Another place you can look is the rubber coupling (Item 56, p91). Lou has had these though I don't know if she has any in stock at the moment.

The shackle bushes would probably not affect torque steer as loose U-bolts or worn axle pads would, but it certainly will give you the feeling of the rear trying to steer.

Another part of the problem, at least around here, is that the Magnette is a bit narrower than the ruts worn in the roads. The car feels like it is wandering as the right and the left tires take turns following the ruts.

Steve H.


On May 11, 2014, at 8:36 PM, Allen Bachelder <bachldrs at comcast.net> wrote:

> Well, Gang, we had a nice outing in "Geraldine" on Saturday - about 150 miles without any problems.  Except... an ongoing problem - exacerbated by some stiff crosswinds: it tends to wander. I feel a bit of slop while trying to correct - resulting in over-correction.  I totally rebuilt the front end a year ago this past winter and had it properly aligned.  It does not pull at all in either direction. The steering feels completely neutral.  I neglected to check my tyre inflation before setting out, but what would be the recommended tyre pressures on a Magnette. Tyres are 165/80R15 Nexen SB-80s.  I had them set to 32# all way 'round. ' Wonder if they would do better at around 28# in front.  I have yet to replace the rear bushes and shox, and I'm thinking there could be enough slop in the rear bushes to affect steering - but if so, would I not also experience torque-steering?  There is none. I mean NONE.  
> 
> All this leaves only the steering rack.  I already replaced the tie rod ends, and there is no slop in the king pins.  Any ideas?  My plan is to go from easiest to hardest: (1) - set front tyres at 28#. (2) rebush rear-end and replace rear shox, while making sure U-bolts are t-i-g-h-t. (3) Rebuild/replace steering rack. I believe I can get a rebuilt rack from Lou for £250 + core, which means I ship a steering rack round trip across the pond. At current exchange rate the £250 turns into about $422.00 US plus lots 'n' lots of shipping.  What are my domestic alternatives?  What's involved in rebuilding a steering rack anyway?
> 
> Thanks in advance, guys!
> Allen
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