Unequal rear ride height, sticky clutch

[ollieoscarsid]

I’ve finally got to take my car out for a fully legal spin after 4 years hard work. All is good with the exception of two points.

It has not settled level at the rear, left side sits 8-10 mm lower than the right. Pretty sure the issue is at the back as I’ve double checked the front adjustment and actually compensated for the left a little. But she’s still down a bit. I don’t have adjustable platforms. Ideas appreciated.

Secondly, when warm, the clutch pedal sometimes doesn’t return fully up, or rather the pedal does, but the master cyl sticks halfway home, so free travel in the first half of operation. Sleeved master cyl and new slave. Again ideas appreciated.

Other than that she’s lovely.

Thanks.

[Jack the lad]

Is/was the car left-hand drive and you have converted it? If you have used the old springs and dampers its possible that the left side has "worn" lower due to being always used with just one person (driver) present.
More likely in my experience is that you did not leave all the suspension pivot nuts/bolts loose before finally tightening them when the four wheels are on the ground. A quick solution is to loosen them all off and leave it overnight before finally bouncing up and down on the rear and then nipping them up.
Clutch problem could be air trapped and needing another bleed, return spring missing or weak, cylinders tight and needing a bit more use, this last "remedy" is best as it gives you the chance to go for another run!!

[mgcjag]

Why is it that US cars are often low on the left.. ...you dont get UK cars low on the right.... .....you can fit spacers under your rear springs.....Steve

[DWW]

Have you ever been to an American diner

[mgcjag]

oh yes and i could only eat 2 of the 24 pancakes that they served up

[gtjoey]

MGCJAG ,Now That’s Funny!!!!
Bahaaaa
Gtjoey1314

[abowie]

What I've done in the past is measure the spring lengths (you need to take them off the shocks) and sort them into one long pair and one short pair.

Then when I install them I make sure to put one of each on either side. I usually put the long one at the back, but I'm not sure if it really matters.

[ollieoscarsid]

Thanks all, yes, I think it can only be a slight difference in spring length/weight. Everything is new but as we all know the quality of some parts is a little sketchy sometimes. It’s certainly not rubbers tightened without weight on wheels, was very careful and only the front is really affected by this. If I raise the front of the car dead Center it still sits left side low. Time for some careful measuring I think. Clutch I think can only really be sticky cylinder, it sat for a couple of years before being used, there’s certainly no air in it. Cheers.

[ollieoscarsid]

[Series1 Stu]

Hard to tell from that angle but I'm loving the Matchless. Is it a 350? Dad had one of them.

[Gfhug]

Personally I think the car needs at least 500 miles of running in. For a fee I’m willing to help

Geoff

[Fuel.inj]

My S2 had a higher ride height at the rear o/s and a lower n/s front end. It was fitted with uprated torsion bars by the previous owner. Angus Moss and his team refitted the originals which thankfully came with the car when I purchased it. It now sits perfectly all round.

[ollieoscarsid]

Update
The clutch issue turned out to be a burr on the stainless sleeve which was not letting the little valve seat correctly, hence with each press of the pedal some of the fluid was returning to the reservoir on the return stroke leaving the pedal increasingly low. This was identified by the guys that overhauled the cyl, it came with an apology as it got missed in testing and has been put right FOC.
I removed the rear shocks and measured spring rates which were surprisingly different. Sod’s Law said I put the stiffer two on the right. I’ve evened them out and she now sits perfectly. Bloody pattern parts again.
Just awaiting some better weather now.

[ollieoscarsid]

The matchless is a 1961 G2S, so a 250. Quite a rare one as only built for one year. Lovely little thing