Buying an MGF
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
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Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
- Rob Bell
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Re: Buying an MGF
It'll help pedal feel. The original rubber brake hoses may be past their best too: I replaced with braided hoses years ago
To improve braking further, consider different brake pads. Chances are you've got eBay cheapies. Plus they may be glazed.
My preference is towards grooved discs as this reduces pad glazing
To improve braking further, consider different brake pads. Chances are you've got eBay cheapies. Plus they may be glazed.
My preference is towards grooved discs as this reduces pad glazing
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Re: Buying an MGF
That sounds optimistic! Previous owner wouldn't have splurged on those when you can just put some sandpaper in there and call it goodRob Bell wrote:To improve braking further, consider different brake pads. Chances are you've got eBay cheapies. Plus they may be glazed.
I'll have a look at the bracket, hoses and pads first. I see a set of braided hoses is £60 on Ebay for the cheapies. Anything wrong with them? Or other recommendations?
Today I'm worrying about the clutch travel. Clutch doesn't slip in any gear, but the engagement point is pretty near the floor. Signs of imminent clutch failure, or is it worth trying to bleed the clutch hydraulics and see if that helps?
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Re: Buying an MGF
I have always used Goodridge for braided hoses worth the extra IMHO.
Cheers
Mike
Cheers
Mike
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Re: Buying an MGF
Like I said before...brake fluid change as you probably don't know when it was last done, upgrade to stainless braided hoses and a servo bracket, that should sort you right out!
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Re: Buying an MGF
Funnily enough I'm fitting a set of these hoses tomorrow...
http://www.mattlewisracing.co.uk/produc ... wis_racing
And I'm going to use Dot 5.1 brake fluid.
I've not got a servo bracket yet but it's next on my list...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162329119683
http://www.mattlewisracing.co.uk/produc ... wis_racing
And I'm going to use Dot 5.1 brake fluid.
I've not got a servo bracket yet but it's next on my list...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162329119683
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Re: Buying an MGF
I'll let you know if the hoses are any good once I've fitted them...
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Re: Buying an MGF
Oh, thanks. Looks like the same pic as eBay. Much better price. Let me know how it goes. I'm thinking of trying a few things for the servo bracket first because I don't like the price of existing solutions, and how hard can it be?beefio wrote:Funnily enough I'm fitting a set of these hoses tomorrow...
http://www.mattlewisracing.co.uk/produc ... wis_racing
And I'm going to use Dot 5.1 brake fluid.
I've not got a servo bracket yet but it's next on my list...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162329119683
The brake fluid isn't ancient if the sticker on the reservoir is to be believed. But when I do the lines I'll change it anyway.
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Re: Buying an MGF
There's also this bracket...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252858821320
Sure you could make one yourself easily enough if you have welding equipment.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252858821320
Sure you could make one yourself easily enough if you have welding equipment.
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Re: Buying an MGF
I've never got round to trying to weld anything, but I see nothing there you couldn't bolt together out of these kinds of bits and pieces:
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searc ... 97&lgvis=y
Bit like Meccano, really.
Do you know what size the pipe unions are for the brakes? I've promised myself I'm never doing them again without an open-ended ratchet spanner the right size, but those things are so bloody expensive I'm probably just going to get the one I need. Not sure I want the cheap set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SATA-Double-R ... 1676100141 - and the good ones are £150ish for a set.
http://www.toolstation.com/search?searc ... 97&lgvis=y
Bit like Meccano, really.
Do you know what size the pipe unions are for the brakes? I've promised myself I'm never doing them again without an open-ended ratchet spanner the right size, but those things are so bloody expensive I'm probably just going to get the one I need. Not sure I want the cheap set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SATA-Double-R ... 1676100141 - and the good ones are £150ish for a set.
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Re: Buying an MGF
The hood isn't brilliant in that area.
A servo bracket is a good investment.
A servo bracket is a good investment.
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Re: Buying an MGF
At £35.94 for a bracket from Brown & Gammons! https://www.ukmgparts.com/product/mgf-m ... kit-bgf115
or £30.00 from Mike Satur http://www.mikesatur.co.uk/index.php?ro ... uct_id=766
or £30.00 from Mike Satur http://www.mikesatur.co.uk/index.php?ro ... uct_id=766
Paul
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Re: Buying an MGF
I'm sure a servo bracket is a good idea, I just don't see why it's necessary to spend thirty quid on someone else's bodge when the bits to do my own bodging will cost a fiver. But when I went outside before to have a look and measure up, it started bloody hailing, so there could be something I'm missing.talkingcars wrote:A servo bracket is a good investment.
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Re: Buying an MGF
Somebody else's bodge!!!BodgeItAndScarper wrote:I'm sure a servo bracket is a good idea, I just don't see why it's necessary to spend thirty quid on someone else's bodge when the bits to do my own bodging will cost a fiver. But when I went outside before to have a look and measure up, it started bloody hailing, so there could be something I'm missing.talkingcars wrote:A servo bracket is a good investment.
A bit rich I think.
Cheers
Mike
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Re: Buying an MGF
I didn't mean to offend anyone. It's not like we can go back to the drawing board and fix problems properly, all these brackets are a bodge to overcome a design flaw.Mikeadman wrote:Somebody else's bodge!!!BodgeItAndScarper wrote:I'm sure a servo bracket is a good idea, I just don't see why it's necessary to spend thirty quid on someone else's bodge when the bits to do my own bodging will cost a fiver. But when I went outside before to have a look and measure up, it started bloody hailing, so there could be something I'm missing.talkingcars wrote:A servo bracket is a good investment.
A bit rich I think.
Cheers
Mike
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Re: Buying an MGF
By 1996 standards the brakes were reasonable, 20 or more years down the road we have come to expect more.
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Re: Buying an MGF
My F's ten years younger than my daily driver (Toyota Camry, don't ask...) and has worse brakes despite discs all round. In fact, it has worse brakes than the Toyota had when one slave cylinder was squirting brake fluid all over the shoe and drum in one corner every time I pressed the pedal.talkingcars wrote:By 1996 standards the brakes were reasonable, 20 or more years down the road we have come to expect more.
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Re: Buying an MGF
Brake pipe to hose unions are 11mm...BodgeItAndScarper wrote: Do you know what size the pipe unions are for the brakes?
I brought these and they worked a treat, less chance of rounding the nut. Also gave them a good wire brushing and plenty of plusgas!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381681565404
I would let you know how my new braided hoses are, however as I buggered my clutch pedal I haven't been able to test them
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Re: Buying an MGF
On the subject of brakes - this is a mid-engined car with 4 wheel discs, if you can't pop your eyeballs out under braking then something
somewhere is not perfect.
1) on a wet road see if you can engage the ABS, if not find something to fix.
2) find a nice safe empty dry road and see if you can engage the ABS, even if only for an instant.
The brakes can only stop the car as fast as the tyre grip will allow. Once the wheels are sliding the brakes can do no more.
If your brakes a good enough to engage the ABS then they are good, if you can't get the ABS on then something needs fixing.
But please be very, very careful and only do heavy braking on a straight road.
I made a little mistake the other night, a black car came thru a roundabout and I was unsighted by a big hedge until the last second;
30 mph to zero in about 2 car lengths, full on ABS stop, saved my skin and the car.
Car has new front rotors, new pads and new fluid. ( and no tyre tread if I keep driving like this!)
somewhere is not perfect.
1) on a wet road see if you can engage the ABS, if not find something to fix.
2) find a nice safe empty dry road and see if you can engage the ABS, even if only for an instant.
The brakes can only stop the car as fast as the tyre grip will allow. Once the wheels are sliding the brakes can do no more.
If your brakes a good enough to engage the ABS then they are good, if you can't get the ABS on then something needs fixing.
But please be very, very careful and only do heavy braking on a straight road.
I made a little mistake the other night, a black car came thru a roundabout and I was unsighted by a big hedge until the last second;
30 mph to zero in about 2 car lengths, full on ABS stop, saved my skin and the car.
Car has new front rotors, new pads and new fluid. ( and no tyre tread if I keep driving like this!)
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Re: Buying an MGF
Was there space to swing the flare spanner? Reason I promised myself a ratchet is that the last two times I used a flare spanner there was only space for about 5 degrees of movement before you had to reposition it. Tedious, especially when you're working on the back of something by touch.beefio wrote:Brake pipe to hose unions are 11mm...BodgeItAndScarper wrote: Do you know what size the pipe unions are for the brakes?
I brought these and they worked a treat, less chance of rounding the nut. Also gave them a good wire brushing and plenty of plusgas!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381681565404
I would let you know how my new braided hoses are, however as I buggered my clutch pedal I haven't been able to test them
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Re: Buying an MGF
If we're talking about the brake pipe to hose unions then yes plenty it really wasn't an issue just that the nuts were a bit rusty so needed some brushing and plusgas. Also one of the front unions was tight and trying to break it was bending the brake pipe so I needed to hold the hose from underneath with some mole grips.
Overall it was pretty easy...although I haven't tested them yet!
Overall it was pretty easy...although I haven't tested them yet!