not just lowering an MGB

[Mike]

finally a couple of pictures to show you what i meant! still after a chrome bumper cross member if any one has one? willing to swop for any MG parts as i have a huge stash now

excuse the missus

[oli8925]

Interesting reading. I was thinking about getting a cheap rubber 'B as an all out track car for doing a classics race series in. As it would be an all out (although road legal) track car, I'd be looking to get the suspension perfect for smooth track conditions. Mike yours looks great (bar that front height). I did come across an old crusty rubber bumper for sale yesterday. Lots and lots of surface rust, holes in the wings and the scuttle, it apparently ran, but the old lady owner wanted £1200 for it. It'll be ages before I get a license and can afford everything anyway.

[ChasR]

The biggest issue you have there IMO is not the lowering aspect, but the wings themselves. I had the same issue with mine as you can see in the photos. (and it has been one reason why others steer away from the Sebring kit or resort to modifying their existing wings).

Basically the arches Sebring wings come with could probably comfortably house tractor tyres in all honesty! If I was doing a Sebring again, the custom arch route on the front would definitely be the way I would attack it .

For some reason, the rear arches are not larger like the fronts in the kits, but simply pulled out to house wider tyres whilst still retaining the standard size.

FWIW, even with the Springs that I sold to Matt (I had an identical pair fitted to mine) the front of my car was still lower than the rear if measured from the sills. The arches however gave another impression.

[GavinJ]

Looks good Mike.

Your right ChasR, i've had to completely rework that front edge of the wing as the panels i got were not even a even curve so ive dropped that whole edge about 10mm, a complete pain to tbh.

[sonus]

There are dropped spindles available for the MGB in the US. They drop 1" and of course doens't change the geometry of the suspension. Not sure about legalities in the UK etc.

www.fast-mg.com/go_fast.htm

www.mgbracing.com/partsservice.html

[Mike]

this is making me happy, front end is going dooownnn!! how are these manufactured? i work at an engineering firm so could probably get the spare two i have modified on a few lunch breaks

[Dez]

they look dead easy to make. you can see all theyve done is machine 1" off the top of the spindle where the kingpin goes through, and add a (welded on) 1" spacer on the bottom side so it still fits the stock trunnion. should be perfectly safe too.

[sonus]

Sept 28, 2012 13:41:51 GMT Dez said:

they look dead easy to make. you can see all theyve done is machine 1" off the top of the spindle where the kingpin goes through, and add a (welded on) 1" spacer on the bottom side so it still fits the stock trunnion. should be perfectly safe too.

Yes, machine off the top with the grease nipple and weld it to the bottom.

Don't know if the total length is important, but it doesn't look like it since you can shim it

[Seth]

Interesting, not seen that before. You'd want to make sure that the machined surface is dead perpendicular to the king pin axis as that's what is taking the vertical wheel load and parts 8 and 9 are the thrust washers. It is possible to get needle rollers for that position too. But if the top of the stub axle is machined at even a slight angle it'll make that bearing action all go to cock.

Shims are used to ensure the correct amount of endfloat (ie. not much!) is present when the top trunnion is bolted on.

[Mike]

il get the hacksaw out then
does the kingpin diameter change in size on the way up? as that could also add complication,
il make a start at it sometime during the week and keep you all updated

[RetroWarwicK]

most the mgb racers run dropped spindles in the USA. google dropped spindles & mgb and you'll get lots of posts on the american mg sites

[codyscar]

Sept 27, 2012 9:12:14 GMT sonus said:

There are dropped spindles available for the MGB in the US. They drop 1" and of course doens't change the geometry of the suspension. Not sure about legalities in the UK etc.

www.fast-mg.com/go_fast.htm

www.mgbracing.com/partsservice.html

[codyscar]

Has anyone used the drop spindles for there MGB? Was wondering what your satisfaction was If so did you use "MGB racing or Fast MG"? I have a 67 mgbgt and am getting ready to rebuild the suspension. I like the idea of it being lowered. It's gonna be a street car, however my goal is to run it on a track as well. I wanta take it down to Button Willow. Thanks in advance for any info...

[froggy]

I have a brand new pair of 8" 650 lb front springs that I don't need if they're any use to you

[adam73bgt]

I've not used them personally although as mine is quite low they'd probably help with the suspension geometry...

Try having a search on www.mgexp.com/phorum/list.php?1 they get discussed now and then and I'm fairly certain a few of the guys on there have them. Though as previously mentioned they tend to be racers



froggy I may be interested in those...

[froggy]

I didnt read the listing properly and assumed they were 2.25 " paid £50 but will do them for £40 posted

[Nathan]

I have the lowest off the shelf Springs on mine, Think they call them Race or something...With those on it just about clears the arch on full lock going over bumpy ground.
However it creates a Rake like this:



Mines an original Chromie so the rear height is not like the Rubbers, it's also standard rear height.

Having the rake is good, but the springs are harsh and I do get the feeling I'm sliding into the footwells!...