Paul:
Incorrectly installed blocks can cause problems, as any modification
from stock. Installation of a correctly designed lowering block should not
cause any difficulties in most applications. The one that comes to mind
would be a late B with rear sway bar. It is possible that mounting lowering
blocks could cause the sway bar, or mounts to hit things. Also the rear
brake hose would have to be checked to make sure there is no problem.
Lowering blocks are a normal method for adjusting rear ride height
on race MGBs. They are used for trimming the ride level, as de-arching
springs is an inexact science. If the vehicle rear height is too high,
installation of a lowering block will bring the drive shaft angle back into
correct alignment. Note the deepened tunnel reinforcement at the rear of
the tunnel on the later MGB, required for the raised ride height.
I did just think of something that could be the answer to the
original question. I've had rubbing problems when installing new seat
belts. Too long of a seat belt bolt in the drive shaft tunnel mounting hole
and there will be interference on hard corners. There will be a witness
mark on the driveshaft, but it is in the area above the rear tunnel
reinforcement.
Kelvin.
65 MGB race car. 12 years on 1 1/4" spacer blocks.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wizardz [mailto:wizardz@maxinter.net]
> Sent: Friday, September 24, 1999 10:10 AM
> To: Joe Short; MG Mail list
> Subject: Re: Something rubbing in the rear.
>
>
> Hey Joe,
> ....sound to me like the lowering blocks are your problem!
> Did that one myself.
> I had purchased the wrong leaf springs...RBB 7 leaf for my CBB 73.
> The arch was too tall..made my rear end sit up like a hotrod.
> I at first put in the long u-bolts and lowering blocks.
> Just days later ... my brand new rear driveshaft ujoint exploded.
> I thought it was just a bad joint...or I had messed it up changing it.
>
> That rubbing I heard was the entire rearend leaning on the tower
> of blocks above the leaf springs grinding the rear driveshaft u-joint.
>
> Accelerating, deccelerating and corning mad the whole rear end
> lean and twist, pulling the drive shaft slip joint in and out
> and twisting
> the u-joint into obscure angles. The leaf springs were being
> distorted into an s-shape by the lever arm created by the
> tower of blocks
> under the rear axle,and forcing the u-joint into an obscure angle.
> The marks on the driveshaft yoke convinced me!
> Replaced the springs (with the correct ones) removed the blocks...
> no odd sounds anymore
>
> I thought it was all maybe just loose or something, but with
> poly bushings everywhere
> everything was still very tight. Looking under the car, and
> just rocking it forward and backwards harshly...with park
> brake on, you could watch it sway.
>
> Paul Tegler
> 1973 BGT - Daily Driver
> Rat - 1980 Spitfire w/ O/D - in re-hab
> Punkin' - 1978 Spitfire - in Superb Shape!
> email: wizardz@toad.net http://www.teglerizer.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe Short <buster_balz@operamail.com>
> To: MG Mail list <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Date: Friday, September 24, 1999 11:57 AM
> Subject: Something rubbing in the rear.
>
>
> For as long as I've owned my '75 B Roadster, it has done one strange
> thing that I can't identifiy. When making a tight turn
> quickly, something
> rubs. At first I thought it was in the front, but recently
> while testdriving
> the car with the battery cover off it was obvious that it's
> coming from the
> rear. It sounds like metal rubbing on metal, and the tires
> are not rubbing
> inside the fenders. I've posted about this before, and have
> checked a few more
> items. The rear bearings feel tight, and exhibit very little
> endplay. The
> parking brake arm (what I thought it was)is assembled
> correctly and not
> rubbing.
> The lug nuts are on tightly. I am running the Rostyle rims
> with 195/60R14
> tires.
> I also have a set of the minilite look alikes with my
> autocross tires on them.
> The autocross tires are the same size as the street tires.
> You would think
> that the problem would be exagerated by the stickier
> competiton tires, but the
> opposite is true. The problem is worse on the street tires.
> I'm going crazy
> trying to figure this one out. Has anyone had a similar experience ?
> My car is lowered with lower springs in front and lowering
> blocks in the rear.
> Also, I have 7 leaf GT springs and and Addco sway bar in the rear.
>
>
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