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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rubbish rubber and a loose back end!

I have always had a feeling that the back end of my car is not entirely planted.

First my shock absorbers weren't very well attached (that was on my first ever drive! :-s). More recently I tightened the U-bolts, that seemed to help a little but still not quite right.

Today I spotted the attached. That might explain a lot! What the hell has happened to my bushes?!

Poly bush here we come... when I find a job :-D

Malc.


Malcolm Le Chevalier

They look like a bit of a loose fit in the spring!
Dave O'Neill 2

Malc. Rather than fit "Polybush" bushes, give "Superpro" a try. I think they are superior to Polybush ones. I fitted them a few years ago and the car feels very much better planted. The only bush that they don't do, to my knowledge, is the front eye bush on the rear spring, maybe because there is so little rubber between the two metal parts as to make no difference.
Bernie Higginson

Malcolm,

I agree Polybushing (I would also use Superpro as Bernie noted) is the way to go, but if you want a set of new rubber spring bushes and rubber spring u bolt clamp bushes in the short term, I have a set you are welcome to FOC.


I'm only down in Clevedon just off thr M5 junc 20.

R.
richard boobier

Malc

welcome to british rubber... from the fine makers of british car metal and automotive electrical wire

haha

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Prop you reprobate you

Show some respect sir, we also produce some of the finest wiring smoke in the Western Hemishphere

Unsurpassed even by Chevrolet or Buick



Malc take note of Bernie's fine advice

Poly bushes do fit eventually but I had a fine old time fitting Polybushes to Lara

Should hard work BE that hard?
Bill sdgpM

The Superpro ones on my car also have a kangaroo on the packet. They've been on for almost 10 years now.
Rob Armstrong

I used the term poly bush in the generic sense. I didn't know they were also a brand. but good to know who is hot and who is not in the bush world!

I might just go with rubber to keep me going in the short term.

Malcolm Le Chevalier

The bush at the front eye of the rear spring is actually a Metalastic bush - a different sort of construction where the rubber is bonded to the steel sleeving. This cuts out transmitted vibration but has relatively little movement in it. Original ones rarely fail or wear out, probably lasting at least as long as the life of the spring itself.
Guyw

good poly at a sensible price can be got from Strongflex, they're based in Poland and the mail order service is very good.
David Smith

Guy. I'm just in the process of replacing the front metalastic bushes, as the bolt and the inner tube were worn, which is fair enough as they are 51 years old. Getting the new ones in with a long bolt and washers was quite easy, but getting the old ones out was a PITA.
Bernie Higginson

Bernie, yes I did replace mine too for much the same reason. But they are pretty reliable when compared to the other rubber etc bushes on the car. I also was fairly careful with selecting some largish washers to act as shims either side of the spring eye which seemed to tighten up the rear springs from their inclination to lateral waywardness.
Guyw

While you are in there, be sure to replace the spring - axle pads. When they get tired it really does get loose in the back with rear axle steer: typically power on steers right, power off steers left, all without touching the steering wheel.
Paul Walbran

Paul. I've already got a full set of those nice Aussie Superpro bushes, including spring pads, so no rear steering probs.
Bernie Higginson

These bushes have barely had twelve months of use BTW.

Malc.
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Yep, Malc. I'm afraid that's the way it is. I fitted my Superpro bushes after only three years of standard rubber ones. The car had started to feel loose, and when I took them out, I couldn't believe how shagged they were after only about 3000 miles of not excessive driving.
Bernie Higginson

If you want to see some real noticeable improvement, I suggest fitting a panhard bar system. We did just that on my fathers Sprite after installing poly bushings. It takes all of the normal axle shucking out of play as a result of leaf spring movement. I think it make a very noticeable difference in cornering.
Brett
BEW Brett Wright

I do share Brett's experience: superpro helps, a Panard rod even helps more.

Flip
Flip Bruhl

My spring pads were totally gone, so I bought a full poly bush kit from eBay for £50, fitted the pads and the upper trunion bushes (as they are the easy ones to do) and it has completely transformed the car. The difference in handlinging is unbelievable!
Karl Bielby

Another vote for polybushing from me. Also recommend - if applicable - refurbishing the LA dampers and refilling with heavier oil. A cheap and easy handling improvement. Also consider replacing rear springs if necessary. Mine now handles sublimely, no drift, goes exactly where I point it - and I don't spare the horses. Still dithering about fitting a Panhard rod.....
Oggers

excuse the radio silence, I have been at a wedding using wedding cars tonbridge/visiting relatives etc. all in the MG of course! are you still there Richard?

Give me a shout on malcolmlechevalier at gmail .com if you are.

cheers,
Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Malcolm you have mail.

R.
richard boobier

This thread was discussed between 17/08/2016 and 21/08/2016

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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