Lower on one side

[vping]

My '74 Roadster sits about 1/4" - 1/2" lower on the driver's side than the passenger. Is there anything that I can put in the suspension to even it out and if so where should it go?

Should I just leave it?

 

[Steve_S]

Very common. Try swapping springs right to left. Start with the rear springs. If that doesn't do the trick, swap the front springs. If nothing helps then the problem is in the chassis. MGB unibodies were not the most precise on the market and as time went on, the jigs wore out and they got even worse. Modern replacement leaf springs aren't the most precise on the market either and can worsen the problem.

 

[vping]

I kinda figured that. We used the taller of the two springs on the driver's side but still NG. Someone suggested cutting an aluminum plate and putting it in, I just don;t know where or on what side. The front suspension is do for a refurb very soon.

 

[Steve_S]

You can also install a helper spring in the rear if one spring is weak. That usually sorts out the uneven height problem.

 

[Camshaft]

Can the car be "straightened?" Mine is sagging as well, on the passenger side.

 

[Steve_S]

I've heard of it being done, but you're assuming the parts are assembled together in a way that would allow them to be "bent" straight. The unibody may be straight, but a piece or two attached a tiny bit off. In this case bending one area true would throw another area off. I would talk to a competent frame alignment shop about it and proceed with caution.

 

[tony barnhill]

9 times out of 10, I'd think it was springs or bushings....MG's usually sag on the driver side because there's where most of the weight has been - 1 person in the car.......switching springs from side-to-side solves the problem most times....I'd look at anything that wears before jumping into body alignment issues.

 

[jlaird]

You could always gain a few pounds or put some weight under the seat?

 

[Camshaft]

9 times out of 10, I'd think it was springs or bushings....MG's usually sag on the driver side because there's where most of the weight has been - 1 person in the car.......switching springs from side-to-side solves the problem most times....I'd look at anything that wears before jumping into body alignment issues.

I thought of that, but I did manage to stuff the car into a dirt mound/ditch at low speed last year. For my own edification I'd like to make sure I didn't ruin my baby.

 

[vping]

9 times out of 10, I'd think it was springs or bushings....MG's usually sag on the driver side because there's where most of the weight has been - 1 person in the car.......switching springs from side-to-side solves the problem most times....I'd look at anything that wears before jumping into body alignment issues.

You name it I've replaced it. The springs were from a '74 GT with 42k and driven by a little lady no bigger'n a buck. I don't they sagged that much but ya never know.

 

[Camshaft]

You could always gain a few pounds or put some weight under the seat?

Hehe, Mr. Laird, ain't that the truth! 5'10", 120 lbs.

This may be the excuse I need to install the Hawk Cars suspension... :smirk:

 

[MadRiver]

Unless the difference consumes you on an emotional level, I vote for leaving it, assuming you've checked everything that could be a safety or performance issue. Many old cars (especially small ones like ours) end up listing a bit to the driver's side for the reasons noted above. Also, remember that these things were not built on automated lines. The tolerances were very great in the British car industry in those days, so who's to say that any of them left Abbingdon sitting entirely flat?

 

[vping]

Probaby going to just live with it. Lower and closer on the left. Oh well.