nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 27, 2016 16:12:44 GMT
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Ok so today I took the spring off the donor car and fitted it to the problem car and guess what, it was exactly the same and would not compress. Now I'm getting miffed. The shackles are free, the shock isn't connected, I'm scratching my head now. Anyone want a project
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Nov 27, 2016 16:38:10 GMT
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are your shackles the same lengths?
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,084
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Nov 27, 2016 16:39:40 GMT
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You're not the first with this problem: www.mg-cars.net/mgb-technical-bbs/leveling-the-suspension-2009081117431814003.htmI only have a rudimentary knowledge of these things so my stab in the dark would be for pre-loaded suspension causing the wonkiness or spring mounting positions being in the wrong place, possibly from careless repair work. If your donor is sitting level, rather than just replacing one rear spring, replace both from the donor car. That way you know you're replacing two good springs for two of unknown quantity. If the car still leans then the problem is probably not in the rear springs at least. What happens if you jack up the front of the car? Does it still lean at the back or does it level out? It could be that rather than the rear pushing a corner up, something is sticking or broken at the front pulling that down. Edit: or what Stinkynails says, which seems a fair easier thing to check.
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Last Edit: Nov 27, 2016 16:40:18 GMT by vulgalour
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Nov 27, 2016 16:44:33 GMT
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you have a lowering block on one side? take the rear shocks out and see what it does, is there any bounce or damping on the high side for example?
edit-just read that you had the shock out. are the drop links the same size?
looking at your pic of the car from behind, it looks like someone has started to do something and not done both sides rather than the car has settled like that due to some fault..?
also check the spring hangers, opposite end of the shackles, as its a common area that will rust, bend and be repaired or replaced.
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 27, 2016 17:05:06 GMT
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Shackles are the same length between donor and problem car that's the first thing I checked. But the shackle sat pointing back on the donor far more than on the problem car which is making me think that it may have had a shunt :9 Even before lowering it to to the ground the jack still fails to compress the spring without lifting the car. Don't think I have a lowering block fitted, but I havn't checked. A previous poster commented on the taught check strap on this side that seemed to be the problem that's why I concentrated on this side.
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 27, 2016 17:09:08 GMT
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I'll replace the shackles tomorrow with the one from the donor and see how I go. Front mount doesn't seem to have had a repair, I did try to measure and compare the distance between mounts between donor and problem car but my arms weren't long enough, I'll have another go tomorrow. Thanks for your input guys
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Nov 27, 2016 17:12:23 GMT
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very hard to tell without seeing everything asis often the case.
i would take everything off and drop the axle, clean everything up and I'm sure something will become apparent when putting back together.
really racking my brain because I'm trying to think what would foul against the chassis..?
i wouldnt worry about a shunt or the car being bent at this stage though
its going to be something very very simple and easy to resolve when you find it, everything about these cars is simple!
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Nov 27, 2016 17:14:10 GMT
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you are comparing both sides of your car to each other and not just against the donor car?
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 27, 2016 17:21:48 GMT
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Not got at the other side yet, just the donor. I have had it on stands though but not really had a good look at the OS. I'm thinking that the inner shackle plate did have a bit of a bend now come to think of it.
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 27, 2016 17:28:12 GMT
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Just read this article, sounds just like my issue, except I know my spring is not compressing sufficiently it seems.
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Nov 27, 2016 17:37:40 GMT
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from side to side(forget the donor car) you could have different length shackles, different length drop links, i think even that might even be 2 size of damper unit or the arms are different lengths(mostly likely i am wrong),there are even different size straps(not that it makes any difference in this case) check the spring hangers, check if any part of the spring hanger is fouling the spring.
if the strap is taught on the high side then the problem is on you high side.
no amount of lowering on the opposite site or front end etc isnt going to make your strap tight.
ive seen a tight strap before and we figured out what was wrong but my brain is failing me.
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Nov 27, 2016 17:56:55 GMT
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It might be worth checking the distance from the front spring mounting point to the rear shackle mounting point on the body shell on both sides.
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rodney
Posted a lot
https://www.facebook.com/RD-vehicle-transport-and-recovery-services-525622614268010/
Posts: 1,677
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Nov 27, 2016 18:39:05 GMT
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sounds like the lower side has sagged over time , id check the other side
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facebook: rodney dean / rd transport
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 27, 2016 21:45:25 GMT
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I'll get checking it all tomorrow am. May be a mix of sag on the low side and binding shackles on the high side. I was going to take the other side apart anyway to flush and replace the shock oil so it makes sense to do a full check, strip, clean and paint while I'm there. Thanks for the input all.
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 28, 2016 19:01:14 GMT
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Ok so I made some progress today. I fitted the new (donor) shackle and the car seems to have settled down somewhat, not perfect but close enough for now. I also drained, flushed and refilled the rear shocks and measured both arms and also the drop links on both and they compare so good news I think. I also connected the battery up and it spun up fine on the starter ( no fuel pump yet ) but as soon as my temporary fuel supply has cured I'll try firing it up. In the meantime I did a compression check which was surprisingly good, 8 bar across each or 120 psi ish so all nice and even. That was with the throttle shut as well and on an engine that has been standing some time. I put a bore scope down the plug holes to have a peek first expecting to see a shed load of carbon but didn't see any which is good news. Another thing is that the engine doesn't have any visible oil over the engine which I was also expecting when I first went to see the car. So it has either been jizered to death or possibly had a recent rebuild which would again be good news. I have checked for spark and I have a good spark over all 4 cylinders so the electronic ignition is good also. So tomorrows' jobs if time permits is get a fuel supply to the carbs and try and fire her up and try to source a fuel pump locally if all goes well. I'm also going to refit the shocks and try to get the propshaft and gear lever from the donor so at least I can move it around over the pit to get a better look underneath.
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 29, 2016 17:07:35 GMT
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Well it failed to start and stank of stale fuel so guess what tomorrows job will be ?
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Nov 29, 2016 17:24:00 GMT
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they are easy to sort out!
make sure you don't mix up any left hand carb parts with right carb parts as the bells and venturi etc are matched to each other.
not that itll stop it running or anything but they should be matched at the factory to run at there optimum level...sort of thing.
...not to say someone in the past hasnt mixed them all up anyway : /
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 29, 2016 17:34:26 GMT
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Yeah I was going to keep them separate for that very reason Got the K and N filters nice and clean too, the proper cleaner does a good job dunno what's in it ??
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Nov 29, 2016 17:43:46 GMT
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After my car has been standing for a while I usually have to literally pour a bit of fresh petrol into the carbs to get it started....
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nigxl
Part of things
Posts: 786
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Nov 29, 2016 19:49:02 GMT
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I think my carbs need a serious clean out in this case, my garage is still stinking of stale fuel hours later.
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