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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - spax replacement!

Hi guys! Just got my new midget home on friday and put it through the dreaded manx test! its a test all cars have to do if over 3 years old. Anyway back to the point; it failed the test cos my rear spax conversion have oil leaks, so need replacing. Do i have to buy a whole new kit? or can i get something cheaper to replace them? and where do i buy them from, have asked a couple of auto shops over here and they looked at me like i was from mars!!
thanks steve!
s j knox

Steve surely you can just get replacement Spax dampers or even perhaps a repair service from Spax - note I don't know I've not checked but I do know for certain both are possible with AVO dampers

also in case you were wondering you would nedd to buy a whole kit to swap from Spax to Avo as the fixing brackets and locations are different

you should look on the tests as a good thing not bad surelyou want your car in a minimum standard to drive and you should aim to be above this minimum standard to get the most fun out of your car
N Atkins

well what doya know

joy of joys, I'm beside myself with happiness

Spax do a Owners Handbook for the kit - http://www.spax.co.uk/ownershandbooks/CKX-OwnerHandbook-6.pdf

and like all good owmers Handbooks it's full of very usefull information like the damper model numbers so that you can enquire about repair or costs of new ones - G736 Dampers

just think how much more information the apprpriate car owners Handbook gives

I can now also be a Spax dampers Guru too 1

N Atkins

Koni is always another option..
K Harris

Pro-Tech!
Deborah Evans

thanks nigel! as ever very informed! i think the manx test is a great idea, but somone failed the other day cos their car was dirty! once its passed it never gets checked again, no mot's no safty checks; now thats more worrying!
s j knox

>>no mot's no safty checks; now thats more worrying!<<
yes indeed

although we have those over here, also usually minus insurance with drivers possibly minus licenses
N Atkins

Do you think these will fit on the spax fixing points? im planning on converting back to the original spec but would they be ok for a short time?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KYB-Shock-Absorbers-NEW-CLASSIC-MINI-COOPER-MINISTOX-/260805977740?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb93f668c
s j knox

who knows? no sizes and would they effect the handling?

if you're going back to lever arm dampers now would be the time to do it surely

you're going to have to dig into that purchasing reserve fund for maintenance, repairs and servicing

needs must on this one as you need to past the test
N Atkins

yep would be the right time but i have limited time to get the car back through the test! my english tax and mot run out soon so just want a quick fix to get it passed. oh i'll just buy new ones from moss and bite the bullet!

thanks everyone.
s j knox

If you contact pro-tech, they will send you the exact replacements on size - and be a whole load cheaper than moss and spax - I'm sorry, I don't have the link, but, I'm sure if you google it, then you'll have some success
rachmacb

would i need to give pro-tech the sizes? i dont know anything about them, or would they just know?
s j knox

Measure up the ones that you're replacing :)

They will give you plenty of help though - pretty nice folk - I think he used to work at Spax anyway - or Avo - one or the other - never very good on memory!!!!
rachmacb

Steve
You have been given a lot different ways to go with this and as a newcomer, it is probably all a bit confusing.
I have the old Spax brackets on my car ('72) and I have used AVO's for the last 5-6 years with no problem. They are listed on the AVO site under "AVO Classics" then select Rover/MG and they there for use where telescopic conversion already in place - Part No. TE548. Hope this helps.
Regards
Keith
Keith Nelson

S J Knox,

Is your Midget 1/4 elliptic or semi elliptic as that'll make a difference to the shock length. IIRC the brackets are the same but the semi elliptic cars use a longer damper.
David Billington

David if my memory is correct for once Steve got a RWA so Keith's number stands
N Atkins

N Atkins,

If a RWA then I would agree. I looked through the thread and didn't see any information to identify what mark car it was. If RWA then I would expect the mini front dampers to be too short as they have quite a short stroke.
David Billington

David, it's not on this thread but Steve was the chap looking for a car to take back to IoM so I think I remember Steve getting a RWA (or Mk3 at least)

it would be very handy if the View vehicle profile facility was used were possible

conformation on the Mini dampers is good though

plenty of advice as normal here so Steve can make his choice

I'm sure a phone call to one or more of the manufacturers would sort things I think the AVO TE548 sound right (always best to check tho') as IIRC the FL ones are under contract and a different number and may or may not be slightly longer as they sit more upright - but you know all this better than me

it would not surprise me if the contract AVO ones match a standard AVO one but if so they didn't let info slip

Nigel
N Atkins

Hi guys! loads of info as usual. Thanks for your time and advice! I'll be putting car info in profile soon, i've just been so busy sorting this manx test out and obviously driving it. Anway a brief overview, 1972 RWA - vermillion - restored in 1995ish - pretty much stock apart from new fuel pump under bonnet, new elec dizzy and sport coil; oh and the blood spax conversion!!!lol.
It came with history back to 1984 6 owners ago, is there any way of tracing all previous owners? and i must say shes in great condition!

I looked for a car for ages, and now there are 3 for sale in the isle of man, sods law! If anyone is interested there is a 1966 midget for sale which has been restored in 2004 and it looks fantastic (red with white roof)i dont know the person at all but looks a good price 2995.

http://www.manxads.com/?Title=1966-mg-midget-lK&ListingId=37462


thanks again steve.
oh here's a pic leaving nottingham.


s j knox

No MOT and no speed limit, what could possibly go wrong!!! :-)

Still your new purchase does look very nice.
Enjoy Carl
C Bintcliffe

thanks carl! love her already!
s j knox

looks good Steve, well done (usual advice applies of course)

as I've just posted this on another thread easy to paste here £5 and the V888 will get you the history of previous registered keepers - http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_065303.pdf

an unusual choice of number plate shape for the rear considering the blanking grommets

my mate had a Vermillion Dolly Sprite and kept telling everyone it's red not orange

if you've got high kerbstone in the IoM i'd think about pointing that tail pipe up a bit or it might be the angle of the photo

once you have it running and fully warmed up a photo of the interior showing the gauges clearly and an engine bay shot might help with further advice if needed

photos of the whole car will be wanted anyway as they're nice to see :)
N Atkins

This thread was discussed between 04/07/2011 and 05/07/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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