Steering not self-centering

[Johnnybravo]

The caster is not adjustable.

The fact that there is a difference of more than a degree from left to right makes me think something is bent.

 

[dave h 2]

Standard TF Suspension Settings - The MGF Register Forums

According to the spec above front toe is zero +_ a gnats.
rear toe is 1.6 mm or 1.7 +_ a similar gnats.
These things are proper fussy and your fronts @1mm are 0.5mm in the red.

 

[minimutly]

Standard TF Suspension Settings - The MGF Register Forums

According to the spec above front toe is zero +_ a gnats.
rear toe is 1.6 mm or 1.7 +_ a similar gnats.
These things are proper fussy and your fronts @1mm are 0.5mm in the red.

Tend to agree, I used to run mine parallel on the front.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Thanks but I have no intention of throwing that sort of money at it, the car only cost me £500.

That’s why I mentioned this is a welding forum!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Standard TF Suspension Settings - The MGF Register Forums

According to the spec above front toe is zero +_ a gnats.
rear toe is 1.6 mm or 1.7 +_ a similar gnats.
These things are proper fussy and your fronts @1mm are 0.5mm in the red.

It's an F, not a TF, the factory settings on the F are front 10' toe in, rear 10' toe out, mine is set at almost perfect factory settings front and rear.

 

[Brad93]

If you don't want to throw money at it then unfortunately i think it's going to be a case of just putting up with it.

 

[Wozzaaah]

If you don't want to throw money at it then unfortunately i think it's going to be a case of just putting up with it.

It just isn't worth throwing loads of money at, sadly.

 

[DaveB]

I appreciate you have a printout from the alignment people, but have you actually checked the toe ?

Don't believe the computer, or an "expert" you have not supervised.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I appreciate you have a printout from the alignment people, but have you actually checked the toe ?

Don't believe the computer, or an "expert" you have not supervised.

I do trust him, he seems to know his stuff and has said if I’m still not happy with the handling pop in and have a chat.

 

[minimutly]

It just isn't worth throwing loads of money at, sadly.

What do you mean - do you just measure the worth of something that gives you pleasure by the sale value?
Surely if it gives you more pleasure it's worth spending?
Loads of money - hard to define of course...
For some reason I thought you had a TF, they were a stiffer and less comfortable version, with coil overs each end.

 

[Wozzaaah]

What do you mean - do you just measure the worth of something that gives you pleasure by the sale value?
Surely if it gives you more pleasure it's worth spending?
Loads of money - hard to define of course...
For some reason I thought you had a TF, they were a stiffer and less comfortable version, with coil overs each end.

What I mean is I’m already into it more than the car is worth. I bought it for a cheap fun runaround, not to restore it to factory fresh. I do love it but for not much more than it owes me I could probably have bought an up together Z4 or SL.

 

[minimutly]

Without looking back, I would hazzard a guess you were told this car would keep you busy when you bought it - I would expect I would have told you anyway, maybe others?
My neighbour had z4 1.8, asthmatic, boring, but relliable...

 

[Wozzaaah]

Without looking back, I would hazzard a guess you were told this car would keep you busy when you bought it - I would expect I would have told you anyway, maybe others?
My neighbour had z4 1.8, asthmatic, boring, but relliable...

I bought it because I saw it every day, languishing beside a building I deliver to. I made a tentative enquiry one day and decided to take a chance on it as it looked worth saving. I paid £500 and genuinely thought I may spend about as much again recommissioning it but soon blew that budget as the sill repair panels are very expensive. The saving grace is the engine and gearbox are sound and the head gasket has been done.
As an ex-mechanic I’ve quite enjoyed being back on the tools but this little issue is annoying the hell out of me as it should be simple to fix.

 

[Blobber]

Just get the tracking done again as that seems wrong and that will be fine, don't get hung up on the castor/camber it's not a race car

 

[Wozzaaah]

Just get the tracking done again as that seems wrong and that will be fine, don't get hung up on the castor/camber it's not a race car

Why?? It’s set exactly as it was when it left the factory!
What makes you think the factory was wrong?

 

[Blobber]

The symptoms are tracking related so adjust and test, are the tyres the same make and compound as fitted from the factory? No they won't be, lots of things have changed since the vehicle was built so be flexible

 

[Melvyn Best]

-1mm each side

Have you actually checked what the setting should be? It should be more like 0.10 mm toe out not 1mm.

 

[Wozzaaah]

The symptoms are tracking related so adjust and test, are the tyres the same make and compound as fitted from the factory? No they won't be, lots of things have changed since the vehicle was built so be flexible

A change of tyres won’t create this problem, I know that for certain. I’m simply trying to get to the root of a problem I’ve never encountered in any of the god knows how many hundreds of cars I’ve ever driven in my life. I’m a mid 50s ex-mechanic, not just someone who’s owned a few cars, so give me some credit for at least having a bit of mechanical knowledge please.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Have you actually checked what the setting should be? It should be more like 0.10 mm toe out not 1mm.

Yes!!!
As I’ve said, it’s set to EXACTLY what it was when it left the factory, 1mm toe IN.

 

[DaveB]

What tyres are on it ?

MGF is known to be very sensitive to tyres and tyre pressures.