MGB & GT Forum

Hi people
Anyone tried the castor corrections kit from Frontline?
http://www.frontlinedevelopments.com/part/castor-correction-kit/

What's the verdict?

Wow - Is that the correct price direct from Frontliine? Do they ship to the US?

Moss appears to sell the same kit for about $260!

These are on my wishlist now that I have a smaller steering wheel on the GT.

---

The goal - Reliable summer driver interspersed with mechanical tinkering...
Motto - "Driving fifty in the twisties..."
On Mods - It's your damn car - Do what you want. Haters gonna hate...
On SUVs - Drive your B like a soccer mom is texting her friends about how she wants to kill you...
Red Betty - http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GHN5UH418165
Bart - http://www.mgexp.com/registry/GHD4U146898G

I have a castor correction kit installed on my 80 LE and yes Frontline shipped it to me in Washington state.

The reduction in castor has greatly reduced the steering effort especially in parking lots and other low speed turns.
This is more important for me as I installed a smaller steering wheel to allow more leg room (I'm 6'-2" tall).

I added to the reduced effort ( I think I did anyway) by having a needle roller bearing installed in place of the solid thrust washer at the top or the kingpin.

I am very happy with the result.

Hello Fredrik,
Instead of the Frontline Kit I installed a Castor Reduction Kit by Brown & Gammons in the UK. Brown & Gammons claim the kit can be installed with the cross member in the car.
In my case I had the cross member off for refurbishing, so it was an easy job. Steering effort is less now, more so in the lower speed range ( 60 kph) without negative side effects.
Steering on centre feel remains very good and it all greatly improved driving pleasure.

https://www.ukmgparts.com/product/mgb-midcat-6-submgb22-front-suspension/castor-reduction-kit-mgb-62-81-ahh6195castor

Cheers,
Michael .

There is also an alternative from Brown & Gammon which does seem better engineered and is half the price, I have fitted one but haven't yet had the car on the road to test it!
Castor Kit Link
Graham

I skimmed over the install instructions for both types and, although cheaper, the B&G appears to be more complicated to install, taking about 3 hours.

David

---

74 Damask Red BGT
Davesmg@outlook.com

You do just as well to install a spacer on just the front bolt. Cut yourself a short U shaped slide on spacer. The front crossmember sits on 4 bushes, wedge not necessary, flat will do.

The B&G kit requires the front studs to be removed (as their plate goes over them) plus there's some shimming of the steering rack so best done when changing the pads. There used to be a blue nylon version of the forked type I thought via Britcot but it's not currently on their pages.

IMO Fred before you buy anything I suggest you read the various (and long) discussions on here about their efficacy. The vast majority are yes they can improve manouverability during parking but if you want to fang through the twisties you're better off without them - something to do with steering returning to centre.

I bought a B&G set but after reading all the topics here they were consigned to my spares bin. At the time of purchase they offered both a rubber and poly pad version with the latter obviously more expensive. As I already had Superpro poly pads I just bought the cheaper rubber version.

---

Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016-12-10 06:06 AM by MGB567.

I installed a set from Frontline when they were first released. I can't say I found much difference. But I don't regularly have to park in tight spaces! I'd suspect tyre size and general condition of the steering /suspension also has an effect.

I was surprised droping the front sub-frame was not as hard as I expected. I almost put in a set, but most of the previous posts on this subject say the difference is slight. No one has ever said what the before and after numbers were. So I only did new pads.

What I learned: Just go ahead and pull the springs. I used a bit of safety-wire to pull the bolts up into place. I had a struggle putting it back as the engine was out, so I had to make a spring compressor.

---

Cogito ergo sum periculoso

An alternative for small steering wheels is the electric power assist unit. I talked to two folks who had it and they both loved it. I am considering it in my GT so I can put more tilt in the seat cushion to take some strain off my knees and use a smaller wheel.

---

Cogito ergo sum periculoso

Fixing a "problem" that isn't actually a problem and doesn't need to be "fixed". In other words, keep your money in your pocket.

---

1973 MG BGT - Harvest Gold / Black interior

1974 MG BGT - Bracken / Autumn Leaf interior - http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,11702