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Steering: Pull to Right on Decel

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Midget Larry

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1974 Midget. Just had both front coil springs (and back leaf springs) replaced, plus both tie rod ends. Now, when letting off the gas after brisk acceleration, the Midg pulls to the right. It does not pull when in in straight and steady operation, or upon breaking. Another hint: wheels do not "automatically" return to center on turns. Any ideas folks?
 
Jack up front wheels and look for "play" in suspension or wheel bearings.

Look carefully at lower "A" arm....I've cracked several of these in my Spridgets. If crack is severe, you will see negative camber on that side. Camber is non-adjustable in these cars, so any obvious angle is due to wear or damage. Look for a bent shock arm or loose shock-mount bolts too.

Lower fulcrum pin and inner bushings on "A" frame can be a problem too. Also rubber bushing that connects shock arm to upper part of king pin.

Could be loose king pin, stuck brake caliper or even one *really* bad front shock.

The "lack of return" makes me wonder if top nut on king pin is too tight (or shims are incorrect)...hard to describe this in words, but refer to your manual and look at a picture of upper king pin detail.

At rear, check to see that axle is positioned correctly on springs and that U-bolts aren't loose.

[ 04-01-2003: Message edited by: aeronca65t ]</p>
 
In addition to the rear u-bolts check the mounting bushings for the right rear spring. Also, although unusual in your climate, check for rust in the rear spring mounting area. Bob
 
did you replace the tie rods or did the shop? if the shop did, take it back and give them an earful about the alignment. if you did it, go ahead and check the alignment out again
 
Thanks, guys, I will run down all of your ideas and see if I can get to the bottom of it. Very helpful to have all of your thoughts.
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Hey Larry, glad you could make it to the forum! I hope you enjoy it here. I think you will find a lot of helpful folks and just plain old fun here. Good luck with your problem. I had a similar problen on a Jag EType once. When I would decelerate it would pull to one side. It turned out to be bad bushing on my rear suspension. (In fact, I would look at your rear suspension first).

Basil

PS - in your email you asked if I knew any good MG mechanics? You should give the folks at TAOS Garage (Don and Carol Tyrack) a call at 505- 836-4141. I have not dealt with them personally, but I have heard good things from other who have (I think the specialize in MGs in fact)

[ 04-02-2003: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>
 
Bushings, worn mounts on suspension parts, cracked arms, basically, read aeronca68t's reply. For the not returning to center problem, could be allignment, but unhook tie rods from knuckle, and see how easy each side turns, should just flop back and forth. If they do, see how easily wheel turns, could be rack problem. If they don't, grime can be building up causing the kingpins to seize.
 
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