The front suspension and steering on the MGB, if in good shape, performs very well for a car designed in the fifties. But don’t let an older design be an excuse for worn out components. Your ‘B’ should have light, precise steering. It should track straight and true. The wheels should return to neutral when you release the steering wheel in a corner. You should not be experiencing vibration, banging or clunking or anything except a taut sports car feel.
The front suspension is a weak area. But it is not the design or the structure that is the problem. The problem is the king pins! They can wear out prematurely. Lack of grease and sitting during the winter months tends to seize up the lower distance tube and the lower king pin bush. Several things occur as these start to wear. First, the king pin can develop slop, allowing the wheel to float at the pivot. Second, the distance tube seizes to the bolt and the bushing causing the bolt to rotate at the A-arms. This ovals the small outward hole in the A-arm allowing the wheels to track independent of each other. (Hear that clunk when you put on the brakes, that’s the wear in the A-arms.) Third, as rust and metal builds up, the king pin bushings can actually freeze-up and cause hard steering. (Wheels continue to turn the corner when you let go of the steering wheel.)
There are other areas in the front suspension that will need attention about the time the king pins are showing wear. It is a good idea to attend to these at the same time. The wheel bearings and seals should be renewed with the same problem in mind. They never get repacked and sitting for five or six months a year invites failure. (You haven’t lived until you’ve seized a wheel bearing! It turns the entire axle and hub into junk!) The grease in the tie rod ends also dry up and they wear out. Another component often neglected is the rack boots. They crack and the gear oil drains out of them. It is only a matter of time before the steering rack will wear so badly as to become useless. This creates excessive play in the steering. Lastly, a new set of springs will help restore some of the ride quality. (Spring steel is only so good for so long.)
| FSK001 | Front Suspension Kit (Roadster) | $256.95 |
| FSK002 | Front Suspension Kit (GT) | $285.95 |
| FSK003 | Front Suspension Kit (w/out springs) | $213.95 |