Getting level

[Go_Dogs_Go]

So the car has all brand new suspension including a-arms and uerethane bushings, 66 AH Sprite, and I notice a distinct lean to the driver's side. If I look from the front, I can really see it and if I am in it it leans more (I weigh 170lbs).

I dropped the front using 1/2in spacers to get about 1" drop and added a two grade 8 washers to each spacer on the higher side to drop it a bit more. Still noticable. Can I place shorter spacers to the high side to raise it and is this approach safe?

Should I be working the back end instead? I was wondering about loosening all the rear spring bolts and seeing if the car settles but wanted to ask here for opinions first.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

All LHD Spridgets seem to have a definite lean to the left. But I'll bet in the UK they lean to the right. How about a comment from across the pond.

 

[Morris]

Get a hefty friend to ride around with you. It fixes the lean right up.

 

[mightymidget]

All LHD Spridgets seem to have a definite lean to the left. But I'll bet in the UK they lean to the right. How about a comment from across the pond.

are you thinking weight of steering box & shaft, exhaust manifold, and hydrallics?

 

[JPSmit]

All LHD Spridgets seem to have a definite lean to the left. But I'll bet in the UK they lean to the right. How about a comment from across the pond.

are you thinking weight of steering box & shaft, exhaust manifold, and hydrallics?

not the steering the steer-er.

 

[Guest]

You have new springs too?

 

[regularman]

That is actually about right, think about it. Most roads are crowned in the middle and so lean to the right so water will run off into the side ditches. With a slight lean to the left the car will be riding level on the road. This is why many new motorcycle owners think they have a problem when the rear tire of their bike wears more on the left side than the right. A bike runs perpendicular to the earth and but not to a crowned road and so it has more contact on the left side than the right. Put your midget on a two lane road and check it with a level.

 

[regularman]

Oh and if you don't care about it riding level, just want it perfectly level for show or something then just through in a spring rubber on the front. You can find them online probably or just find someone who races and they will have some.

 

[Go_Dogs_Go]

Yep, new springs front and rear.
When you look at the car on a level surface the lean exists even without the driver. The car was finished only a week ago so this is all very brand new with only 200 road miles.

I'd like it to be level before I even get in it. I was wondering if anyone has used differing shims to offset the lean that some say is common? Other threads spoke of shimming the rear so I was curious about that approach and if is used to fix the lean that is more apparent in the front (as opposed to the rear).

 

[Pythias]

The easiest way to fix a low on one side of the rear is to lower the opposite front corner as you have done. If one side of the front is higher, lowering it by putting shims under the spring pan HELPS in fixing the steering geometry. .

I put 3 @ 1/8" thick washers under the spring pans (a total of 12) on the right side of the car to fix a low rear corner. It isn't enough, but it's close.

 

[jlaird]

Miss Agatha said she surely is glad she is not tipsy all those washers would be too many.

 

[regularman]

Another way if you have regular spring in the rear is to pull the spring set and bend the bigger ones a bit to add some lift.

 

[vagt6]

No worries about the lean. My MK III '74 Midget has a totally new, rebuilt suspension. Every nut, bolt, shock, washer and even the grease is new. I used rubber bushes so it's somewhat near a stock feel.

It leans to the left when I'm seated. Just a little bit, just enough to notice. No doubt about it, I can see and feel the lean, although it's probably not that much, really.

Conclusion: Spridgets with stock suspension systems lean, even nicely sorted ones.

Get out and drive, and enjoy the lean!