And now for something completely different

[Jimmy]

Any of you guys know if it's common, or at least not very unusual, for an MGB to lift the inside front tire when cornering somewhat hard?
Unbeknowst to me, apparently the Beater B three-wheels on occasion, according to a friend of mine (yes, I actually have a couple).
We were messing around on Latigo the other day, on the way home with his newly aquired 911, and while I later laughed about him getting sideways, he commented on my 3-wheeling.
Not that lifting an inside tire would necessarily be a bad thing - it does save on tire wear, and increases contact pressure on the outside tire - but while he claims it's not unusual to see wheel lifts on race tracks (he's a vintage car racer) I really hadn't expected my Beater B to do so.

[Steve Simmons]

Not unusual at all...

MGBs Racing

grahamb mgb4.jpg (31.45 KiB) Viewed 7678 times

Sometimes they even get all four off the ground...

MGB GT V8 Rally Car

rally-v8.jpg (36.78 KiB) Viewed 7674 times

Even Gary's 1971 has a little lift, as seen in this factory advertisement showing off the body roll "feature"...

1971 MGB Advertisement

1971-mgb.jpg (38.57 KiB) Viewed 7674 times

[max71]

Body roll is a feature?

Can I remove that feature and make it corner flat like Nui's MINI?

[Steve Simmons]

I would think it's a feature since they used a photo of extreme bodyroll in the above ad.

You can make your car corner just as flat as a new Mini by driving slower.

[Jimmy]

Hmmm. I guess I shouldn't worry about it.
Except that I don't have a heavy hardtop that would help induce the phenomena.
Then again, the only way I see a GT leaving the ground is by applying the "heavy objects tend to maintain a given trajectory" law of physics.
Thanks, Steve!

[malcolmr18zoy]

Yes, well, you might be interested to know that in the 1967 Sebring race, the MGB GT finished ahead of it's team mate roadster, even though it had a small off resulting in some bent wheels!
Malcolm

[Jimmy]

Okay, but did the GT win because it was off the ground, cheating by cutting corners without actually driving off of the track, or because the Tourer used only three wheels?

[Jimmy]

So, in an effort to be able to rotate the tires in normal fashion - i.e. all four being on the ground for the most part and wearing accordingly - I'm considering swapping in a lowered rubber bumper crossmember, or a chrome ditto, to get better front end geometry.
Obviously, a chrome bumper unit is a direct bolt-in, but I don't have one left over. Has anyone tried taking the extension bracketry off an RB crossmember and lower the car that way?
I can foresee issues with the steering rack alignment, as well as the shaft's clearance at the motor mount, but that's what U-joints were made for.
Either way, having the lower A-arms somewhat parallel to the ground has to be a good thing. Unlike my current setup.

[Steve Simmons]

Don't hodge podge the car, do it right! Cross members are a dime a dozen so just get the right parts.

[Jimmy]

Yes, dear.
Could I trade one for the money you owe me?

[Steve Simmons]

Just because you left here without your twenty bucks doesn't make it my fault! And if I had any extra cross members then I'd give one to you. Since I have no room for such large spares, you'll have to try someone else. There are piles of them hidden around Southern California, mostly in back yards and repair shops.

[Jimmy]

But, but...unless I'm mistaken as usual, the rubber x-member is identical to the chrome one, but with a "lift kit" welded on.
So by cutting off the rubbery stuff it should be identical, no? Except for the steering rack angularity issue.

[Steve Simmons]

I don't know the particulars of the rubber bumper parts, as I've never owned a British car made after the 60's. I guess you could cut and weld all day. Or, you could spend ten bucks and get one already done by the factory. Maybe even free if you find someone with a pile of them.

[Jimmy]

For that kind of money, it's worth a try.
The crossmember needs to come off anyway, to replace the nearly new, very crappy rubber insulators.