MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Knocking suspension!

While im posting about suspension.

Theres a knocking sound (a proper knock sound too) coming from the rear suspension when going over bumps, even anything as little as them raised red painted lines going into 30mph zones! Under normal driving its ok, so its obviously something thats moving.

Im wanting to uprate all the suspension at some point this coming summer, but can anyone tell me what could cause the knocking as theres not alot under there!.
D Tetley

Loose shock bolts. Put a wrench on them and be sure they are tight.
Trevor Jessie

Agian Trevor is dead-on, Id go a step further and get what is called nyloc nuts, its a nut but with a nylon insert that really grips the threads of the bolts....dont forget to check ALL the nuts and bolts in both the front ond rear of your suspension, I check my suspension hardware, twice a year, and have to re-tighten at least 30% of it, it really is amazing how fast this stuff loosens up.

prop
Prop

The sprite started knocking this summer, found out it was the front spring mounting and disintegrated so I had proper rear wheel steer!!!

It was amazing to see you could move the springs by hand when jacked up and the axle disconnected.

Shaun
Shaun

Thanks for the replies, I've bought some new tyres (being fitted at the house tomorrow) so ill have a look underneath while the wheels are off.

Hopefully its just a case of tightening up and not a disintergrated mounting! Good excuse for new springs and polybush the lot though!

it would be nice to think maybe... just maybe the day will comes when theres no knocks or rattles!
D Tetley

Could also be the spring hangers & bolts, i changed mine & it cured one set of noises, i was lucky & only stripped some of the bolts.
Brad.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

First, check there's nothing loose in the boot, incl the outer edges... go for a drive with the boot completely empty.

A
Anthony Cutler

...and don't discount the exhaust / silencer. Climb underneath and give it a good shake by its rear box - any knocking should be obvious.
Steve Clark

Theres nothing in the boot at all just polish, and ive just put a sports exhaust on so i know that doesnt rattle (tried the shake test when i fitted it)

the tyres didnt get fitted today, they said it would be wednesday so Ill have a look then as i dont want to jack it up twice.

D Tetley

Update: New Pirelli's all round, much better than slicks!

The rear shocks (found out someones put telecsopic's on) were loose, mainly at the spring end but I tightened up all four bolts and I probably manage to get a complete turn on each. My other half (test driver) didnt notice any knocking now so i think thats sorted it. Thanks for the replies.

On another note, heres some pictures of the rear shocks. Seems like a bodge to me? I thought they were ment to use some aftermarket brackets for fitting tele's.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/britaxcooper/100_0515.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/britaxcooper/100_0516.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/britaxcooper/100_0519.jpg
D Tetley

Thats all I've done on mine, simply fitted Mini front shocks to the rear. Mine also knocked, tightening them up sorted it.
Tarquin

My mini shocks are fitted within the upper bracket that is normally used for the check straps with additional stiffener "body washers"s welded out side the faces, inner and outer

Using the spring mount reversed and "upsidedowned" is normal tube shocker practise though.
Bill

I read that it can be the handbreak linkage that rattles, something about felt washers. ??
I Hamilton

The checkstrap mounting for the tube shocker is as per frontline's kit.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/frontline/rearsus.htm

As above...the bracket under the spring is usally reversed to get the right travel. (you can see in the small line drawing on frontline's site above)
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Just to complete the set of cures. The elusive knocking from the rear suspension on my Frog turned out to be one of the original lever arm dampers which had an arm which was no longer attached to the unit, with the arm sliding up and down the splined shaft after the caulking had failed. Careful welding provided temporary cure but will need to splash out on a new set. Doesn't help much with telescopics though!
John
J R Clark

This thread was discussed between 28/12/2008 and 05/01/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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