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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear Springs too wide?

I am in the process of fitting replacement springs to my 1971 midget; all going well until I tried to fit the front bracket onto the spring – the top shackle on the new spring, which I think has to be able to move into the bracket so it can rotate into place, is too wide.

The original shackle is 48mm wide, the new one is 55mm - the gap in the front bracket is 50mm.

Suppliers are closed today to get their view - anyone come across this or any thoughts? Hopefully I have missed something.....

Mike
Mike Dixon

Very odd. Are you sure they haven't sent you MGB springs? How does the overall length compare?

For good spring location I have usually had to add some, shims or washers or some sort of spacer. Are you sure the bracket doesn't have a spacer or something stuck to it?
GuyW

The eye bit fits perfectly in to the front bracket plate with the spacers that comes with it. It is the end shackle on the spring that is too wide, when you try and swing the plate to the correct angle the shackle is too wide - by at least 5mm

The spring has the correct part number painted is 'Heritage Original Equipment- it at looks the same length as the old one.

Pity I have both off or I could have done a sanity check!
Mike Dixon

Maybe it's just me but I'm confused, you talk about a shackle at the front, I thought the shackle was at the rear. Perhaps a picture or 2 would help.
Stan Kowznofski

I thought you meant the spring eye was too wide. If it's the spring U-clip, then l think you may have the spring the wrong way round. The clamp shouldn't enter the arms of the mounting bracket. The one at the back is much closer to the end of the spring so you may have the spring reversed.
GuyW

I do mean the spring u clip being too wide sorry!

I wondered about having it the wrong way round but the front eye is pre - fitted and there is no way to get the poly bushes anywhere else. Also the outer clips are give or take ( 2mm) the same distance from the ends.

I think the U clip has to be able to swing through the cut out in the mounting plate but if fouls it. I have tried it both sides but neither will allow me to align the plate with the body, let alone move when the suspension is being used

Photo side view att




Mike Dixon

Top view


Mike Dixon

Use a hammer & drift to slowly drive the clip toward the axle until it clears the plate?
Stan Kowznofski

No only is it too wide, the U clip is 6mm or so closer to the eye than the original which does not help.

Having offered it up again, it looks to me like top of the the U clip would, if it were able to, be actually level with the bottom of the eye on the front plate when fitted - so it will be well jammed and creaking when in use?

I may have to take it along to the local MASC gurus to see what they think but it will not be out on drive it day!

Mike Dixon

Sorry Mike, I had forgotten, my springs are specials, and don't have a clip that far forwards.
But I still have my old original springs off my '71 car. The leaf is 39mm wide and the clip nearest the front eye is 46mm wide. Reasonably sure they are the original factory springs. Does that help?

Should be in imperial measure of course, but this is easier to convey ;-)
GuyW

Guy

Thanks for taking the time to do that. Give or take the same sizes as my old ones.

I will call the supplier on Monday and see what their take on this is. At least the garden is benefitiing from this problem!

Mike
Mike Dixon

I had this when I was fitting new springs and new plates. The spring fits ok but when you rotate the plate to the correct angle the shackle fouls on the plate sides. I compared the new plate to an old original and there are marked differences. In particular, the sides of the upright parts that contain the hole and captive nut for the pin are not the same. It seemed that the plates on the original are relieved with a right angle notch where the sides are welded to allow for the possibility of the shackle fouling the sides.

On the new plate this was missing.

I had to use an angle grinder to create this clearance.

It's hard to describe this. I'm not sure I have any pictures either.

Rob
MG Moneypit

Rob

Thanks - I was a bit dubious about grinding part of the suspension but I think you are right.

I had a go at the old one I am replacing - there was no notch on it. I think I have overdone it for depth and dimensions but at least I can visualise now what is needed before I attack the new one, I was struggling to see what needed relieving where.

I attach a photo of what I have done on the scrap one. I will mark the new one up and might run it past my friendly local mechanic/MOT tested int the morning and have a chat with the supplier.

Pity about drive it day......

Mike



Mike Dixon

Looks to me that the U clip hasn't been pinched up tight enough
It needs pushing together from the sides in the vice and the tags knocking down tighter to hold it nice and tight to the spring
William Revit

If you can do what Willie said it would certainly relieve the problem. I never thought of doing that myself resorting to the angle grinder to sort it. I did the same as you show in the image.

Rob
MG Moneypit

You could take that U clip off completely,and turf it, there's one right there next to it holding everything that needs holding
willy
William Revit

Willy - I think that is the way I am heading. Just been to my local garage and they suggested cutting back the last U clip , which as you say is not doing a lot, in preference to modifying the the plate.

MASC meeting this evening for one last opinion - Leaf spring inspection in the pub.

Mike
Mike Dixon

Just to close this one off. My supplier has admitted there is an issue with the springs and their supplier will not change the spec - a warning would have been nice!

General consensus ( MASC and my local garage, plus some above) was to grind back the u clip, which I have done and they are now fitted.

thanks for the all the help

Mike
Mike Dixon

Mike, who are these suppliers, so we know?
Nigel Atkins

Is there a board protocol on naming? As you will have noted I have not named anyone as other boards/clubs I have been on do not allow that

Mike
Mike Dixon

Mike,
there's not. I would give you an example but even I am truly fed-up with naming them but I will if you want me to or there are dozens of examples in the Archives where I did.

Let alone when I moan about Toss. :)
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 27/04/2019 and 02/05/2019

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