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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Leaf Spring Clips... Where Can I Find Them?

As mentioned in another topic, I'm hoping to rebuild my rear springs soon. I'll need to bend out those rubber-lined clips to remove them separate the leaves, and as such I'm reluctant to re-use the clips. However, neither Moss nor Vic Brit stock replacements. And while Eaton lists them, they don't go down to the 1-1/2" size needed for the midget.

Does anyone know a good source for these things, and for the rubber liners that fit inside them?

(I say "clips" not knowing their real name, if they have one... I mean the bands that hold the leaves together at several places along their length.)

Thanks!

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

I spent the afternoon at the bandsaw and made my own.
Trevor Jessie

Gryf

Have band saw, can travel next week.

Prop
Prop

Gryf
I made up my own of the two part original type, from steel strip.
I have a drawing somewhere I could scan it and email you a copy if you want.
Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

previously mentioned in a some thread somewhere was the trick of heating them up cherry red then putting them on the leaf, so they clamp really hard as they cool.
Rob Armstrong

Gryf.

Im guessing just bending those tabs back wasnt an option,,, what happened when you tried ?
Prop

"previously mentioned in a some thread somewhere was the trick of heating them up cherry red then putting them on the leaf, so they clamp really hard as they cool."

That should only be done forward of the axle so as to provide Anti-Tramp. Aft of the axle is where you want the springing action to be.

Most spring manufacturers will be able to supply spring clamps, failing that you can make them up yourself.

IIRC Mini Mania sell adjustable clamps which can be tightened by hand.
Deborah Evans

Thanks for the advice, all. On a related note, I e-mailed Peter Caldwell to see if he has anything to say on the subject. In the meantime, I'll check with MiniMania (Thanks, Deb!).

As for heating the clips cherry-red, wouldn't that destroy the rubber? Mine have liners...

Cheers,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

I once had one break and my roadside repair was a hose clamp. It lasted three years until I found motivation to fix it properly.
Trevor Jessie

Funny, Trevor, I'd already thought of that. :-)

Interesting, MiniMania lists 1500 leaf springs (PN CHA493) for $79.95 each. That's $40 cheaper than Moss and VicBrit, and at that price I'm tempted to just replace the things outright instead of scrounging bits to rebuild them.

So, modifying an earlier question, has anybody had experience with springs from MiniMania?

Thanks!

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Gryf

Thats a great price of $80 ,,, ive had great experiance working with minimainia, but id be fearful that the supplier is the old moss ,,,, so the springs would droop over time
Prop

found this while I was having a quick search around on the subject for my own amusement...

http://www.eatonsprings.com/atqleafspringclipsIII.htm

Perhaps it is of interest as some background reading.

cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Thanks, Malcolm, that's very interesting. I've bookmarked the page for future reference.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2011 and 19/06/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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