Diesel Handling modifications

[Jack]

I’ve got a Maestro diesel and want to make it handle better (no laughing please!). I don’t feel the handling is that poor to start off with but am sure it can be improved with poly bushes all round and perhaps stiffened and lowered suspension. I also have noticed that for some reason Maestro diesels don’t have anti-roll bars fitted, but the suspension does appear to be quite stiff (if a little high).

My questions are therefore as follows:

Does anybody know where I can get poly bushes for the car?
Are MG Maestro springs and dampers a straight bolt in job?
Are the MG Maestro springs stiffer than the diesels?
Can an MG Maestro front anti-roll bar be fitted to the diesel without too much trouble?
Were any Maestros fitted with rear anti-roll bars?

On another note, when I recently swapped my tyres front to rear to even up the wear, I noticed that the inside edges of the front tyres were wearing the most (esp. on the off side). I presume this is due to the geometry being out. Is camber adjustable on Maestros?

Has anybody got any other ideas for making a car that can keep up with hot hatches on twisty lanes?

[E_T_V]

Originally posted by Jack
I’ve got a Maestro diesel and want to make it handle better (no laughing please!). I don’t feel the handling is that poor to start off with but am sure it can be improved with poly bushes all round and perhaps stiffened and lowered suspension. I also have noticed that for some reason Maestro diesels don’t have anti-roll bars fitted, but the suspension does appear to be quite stiff (if a little high).

My questions are therefore as follows:

Does anybody know where I can get poly bushes for the car?
Are MG Maestro springs and dampers a straight bolt in job?
Are the MG Maestro springs stiffer than the diesels?
Can an MG Maestro front anti-roll bar be fitted to the diesel without too much trouble?
Were any Maestros fitted with rear anti-roll bars?

On another note, when I recently swapped my tyres front to rear to even up the wear, I noticed that the inside edges of the front tyres were wearing the most (esp. on the off side). I presume this is due to the geometry being out. Is camber adjustable on Maestros?

Has anybody got any other ideas for making a car that can keep up with hot hatches on twisty lanes?

The diesels DO have anti-roll bars fitted to the front, infact I think all maestros do apart from the base 1.3's.

The tracking is out on your car by the sounds of it. It'll only take a grease monkey 10 mins to sort out so get that sorted as it will mess up the handling.

To answer your questions. -
Poly bushes are available, (I think moto-build used to do them, but I'm sure there is some firm out there that still supplies them.
MG springs and dampers are a straight swap.
Not sure whether MG springs are stiffer than the diesel ones (I have a suspicion they might even be the same)
Yes an MG (or any other maestro anti-roll bar) can be fitted to your car. I think the diesel anti-roll bar is thicker than the MG's though. My 700 van's is HUGE!
I think some MG varients were fitted with rear anti roll bars but people don't notice much difference and indeed some remove them to make the handling more predictable.

Now I'll ask a question or two.
How old are your dampers?? If they are over 50k old they might be tired. Mine are totally knackered at 116k!
What damper height have you got? There are two heights (the diesel has the taller) You could substitute the shorter ones to achieve a minimal ride height reduction. You can get lower stiffer springs, and I'll see if I can find the supplier for a set. He was very helpful when I was trying to lower my van.

My thoughts are to change the dampers first then see if you need shorter stiffer springs after that. Oh and hunt round the scrap yards for a anti-roll bar.

[Jack]

My diesel definitely doesn’t have an anti-roll bar on the front. What is weird is that the diesel engine Haynes manual has a small section on suspension (which mainly concerns the power steering peculiarities of this engine) and it states in the specifications that all diesel models have anti-roll bars fitted. The weird thing is that the photo of the underside of the engine in the manual does not have an anti-roll bar fitted.

As I understand it, it should be fitted to the underside of the lower suspension arms and then across between the rear mountings of the lower suspension arms around the area where the exhaust down pipe comes down. Come to think of it, maybe it’s because of exhaust clearance issues that it is omitted?

I remember when buying my car that the old chap who had it from new was a motor engineer who did all his own servicing etc. He had even written to Haynes regarding a mistake in their manual and they wrote back saying it would be changed for the next printing. Anyway, he did say to me on the test drive that the car rolled quite a lot and he said that BL had simply stiffened the springs for the diesel rather than fit an anti-roll bar which he believed would have given a better ride as it would have allowed the springs to be softer.

Anybody else want to take a peek under their diesel and let me know?

Thanks for the advice on the other areas – I think I’ll get some new dampers, moto-build poly bushes (found them on their website), and an anti-roll bar!

[John S]

It seems that quite a few Clubman D models made after '92 don't have an anti-roll bars as standard. They make a tremendous amount of difference to the handling.

John

[John S]

I have also got Motobuild 1" suspension and although costly it is very effective. The ride is slightly harsher but the car is better composed in spirited driving.

[BIGLAD]

Originally posted by Jack
My diesel definitely doesn’t have an anti-roll bar on the front. What is weird is that the diesel engine Haynes manual has a small section on suspension (which mainly concerns the power steering peculiarities of this engine) and it states in the specifications that all diesel models have anti-roll bars fitted. The weird thing is that the photo of the underside of the engine in the manual does not have an anti-roll bar fitted.

As I understand it, it should be fitted to the underside of the lower suspension arms and then across between the rear mountings of the lower suspension arms around the area where the exhaust down pipe comes down. Come to think of it, maybe it’s because of exhaust clearance issues that it is omitted?

I remember when buying my car that the old chap who had it from new was a motor engineer who did all his own servicing etc. He had even written to Haynes regarding a mistake in their manual and they wrote back saying it would be changed for the next printing. Anyway, he did say to me on the test drive that the car rolled quite a lot and he said that BL had simply stiffened the springs for the diesel rather than fit an anti-roll bar which he believed would have given a better ride as it would have allowed the springs to be softer.

Anybody else want to take a peek under their diesel and let me know?

Thanks for the advice on the other areas – I think I’ll get some new dampers, moto-build poly bushes (found them on their website), and an anti-roll bar!

Hi,

I have noticed (and its just an observation at this moment) that a lot (maybe all) of the Normally Aspirated Diesel Clubman Maestro's haven't got a anti roll bar fitted.But the T.D's have.
IIRC there are 2 types/thickness of anti-roll bar fitted 19mm and 22mm. The Diesel has the 22mm one fitted.
If you want one let me know, as i have spares. :)

[Jack]

Yes I would like one! How much do you want for one with all the brackets? Whereabout are you - I'm in Burton-on-Trent.

Thanks.:D :D :D

[Jack]

Just got four brand new dampers from Ebay for £20 :)

[BIGLAD]

Originally posted by Jack
Yes I would like one! How much do you want for one with all the brackets? Whereabout are you - I'm in Burton-on-Trent.

Thanks.:D :D :D

Hi,
I'll have to check whether i kept all the brackets too.
I'll have a look during the next couple of days and send you a pm:)