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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Compressing Rear Spring

I am trying to re-fit new rear springs to my 1971 midget. I did it years ago and apart from remembering I had this problem before, the detail of how I overcame it escapes me! Various tips in the archive but not this issue?

The front and rear of the spring are attached and I am trying to compress the spring to attach it to the axle as per the only video I can find of this procedure. I cannot even get close as it just raises the car and axle (still fixed on the other side,) even with check strap removed on this side

The rear shackle is pointing forward and is flat against the boot floor – not really where I want it?

Any tips – do I connect the axle first and then do the rear shackle? I suspect the whole car will still go up then as well.

Mike
Mike Dixon

I connect fronts of both springs, then the axle, though you can fix the springs to the axle first if you like. Then jack under the axle pad on one side until the rear shakle lines up to fit the shakle pin. Repeat for second side. Put wheels on and lower car slowly, watching the orientation of the rear shackle links. At a particular point the link will be nearly vertical, probably pointing forwards slightly. Use a pry bar through the link to pull it back as you slowly lower the car a bit more ( hydraulic jack is best for this) as the weight of the car transfers onto the wheels the rear link and therefore the springs, will take up it's correct rearward pointing position. Bounce the rear of the car a few times to settle the rubbers and then finally tighten up the shackle pin bolts.
GuyW

I do pretty much what Guy does. Never had much trouble doing it that way.
anamnesis

Thanks Both

I will give it a go. I just hope the car does not go up again! I can always attach something heavy to the spring end to encourage it to flatten.

One thing - my shackle pins point out on both sides I assume this is correct ?


Mike Dixon

Mike, if the shackle pins point outwards on both sides, I think that is as 'factory'. But it's common practice to reverse the off side one as it fouls the tank that way. It is either impossible, or very awkward, to fully removing it as originally fitted as the fuel tank must have been installed after the springs.

The critical step with the springs is levering the shackle link to point rearwards at the right moment, in which case the weight of the car will compress it correctly. Once the shackle link begins to go forward into the wrong alignment it locks up and further jacking simply lifts the rear of the car.
GuyW

Finally, a benefit to having quarter elliptics !!
Tim Carter

Nah. Semi's aren't that difficult to fit/remove at all, if you do it the right way, as per below.

Just need to remember the method. Once you do, it's pretty simple.
anamnesis

Works a treat - thanks for the advice . I rotated the off-side shackle pins by removing the plate so they point in towards the petrol tank.

Good tip on levering the shackle link - that worked fine as well

The other side should be a lot quicker....

Mike Dixon

This thread was discussed between 11/07/2024 and 12/07/2024

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.