----- Original Message -----
From: mark saperstein
To: Stuart C. Keen, Jr. ; MG
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 9:19 PM
Subject: Re: Front end shake
stu: sounds like the balance problem may be with the brakedrums... not the
wheels or tires alone... easy fix is to get the wheels balanced on the car.
not every shop can do this.. but if you look around you can find an
experienced shop. I was lucky to find a good wheel alignment shop here in
phoenix that could not only do that but laser align all 4 wheels. which leads
me to suggest this might be a source of your shake as well. axle alignment
and toe in are definitely a factor in the shake syndrome you describe.
best of luck, mickey. 53 TD Mk II, 67 BGT, 32 F3 Magna
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart C. Keen, Jr." <>
To: "MG" <>
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 7:08 PM
Subject: Front end shake
> The front end of my 1951 TD use to shake badly at 55 mph with disc wheels
> installed. The problem finally disappeared after the MG mechanic in Tampa
> took a sledge hammer to the disk wheels in a brute force attempt to
> straighten the bent rims. It seemed to work. He also stated the local tire
> companies (2) had incorrectly balanced the wheels.
>
> Yesterday I converted to wire wheels. The shudder/shake is back again at 55
> mph. New conversion kit and #452 15 x 4.5 60 SS spoke Dayton wheels were
> installed. I also installed new (sealed) inner and outer bearings on the
> front axle. The wheels and spokes were supposedly checked by British Wire
> Wheels before shipment. Why am I getting the shakes with all NEW wheel
> components and how can I eliminate it?
>
> Here is what I have done so far:
>
> 1) The five used but nearly new Coker 165R15 tires with radial tubes were
> removed from the disc wheels and installed on the Dayton wheels and
balanced
> by a local, reputable tire company. On my first drive on the interstate, I
> noticed the shakes at 55 mph.
>
> 2). Returned home, then I slowly turned each wheel/tire and checked its
> trueness using a dial indicator on the side. There was a slight wavering
> (like 0.23 inches variance overall) but barely noticeable by watching the
> tread from the front. I put the two best wheels/tires on the front. This
> did not improve performance.
>
> 3) I then lowered the air pressure from 30 lbs to 28 lbs. This did not
> improve the performance either. When I received the wheels from the tire
> company, they had inflated them to 38 lbs. I suspect this was to set the
> tires within the rims. I (fortunately) lowered the pressure to 30 lbs
before
> driving on them.
>
> 4) When I installed the hubs into the new brake drums, I checked that they
> all seated properly. I have now checked the tightness of all six nuts on
> each hub, and they are secure.
>
> Every time I have changed tires on this car, I have had this identical
> shaking problem. But now I am at an impasse because I cannot think of
> anything other fix to try.
>
> What else should I be checking? I am thinking about getting the wheels
> rebalanced, but since I rotated the tires once in the last two days and
thus
> different tires have been on the front, I suspect balance may not be a
> culprit unless ALL FIVE WHEELS were incorrectly balanced.
>
>
> Stu Keen
> 1951 MG TD Mark II
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