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MG MGA - Rear Springs Slick Hint

I'm a little proud of myself. I almost went off on a classic MGA trail of "while its out I might as well do_______)" and pulled myself back from the edge.

I started to change out the bushings on the rear springs. When I got the springs out I started contemplating disassembling them and doing a little R&R.

Finally I got a hold of myself and decided that the middle of driving season isn't the time for this. However I found some interesting ideas before I pulled myself back from the brink that I thought I'd share with you all:

This is a description of how to put slick plastic dividers between each leaf to reduce binding:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=44397
T McCarthy

If you are going to disassemble, take a grinder and round the ends of each lower leaf so they don't dig in to the upper leaf. Smooth off any such ridges, paint, and reassemble with grease. If you like, wrap the springs to retain the grease.
Art Pearse

You get rid of the friction (caused by rust mainly) by driving the car as much as possible and enjoying it.


dominic clancy

This type of plastic inner leaf material has been used by the street rodders here in the states for years to get improved ride from early cars. You can buy it ready to use with a rib on the edges to help keep it in place between the leaves from such sources as Speedway Motors and other shops selling street rod products. I used it on my midget and really like the stuff and will also use it on my MGA. It actually not only improves the ride it will also help the handling as there's no break point where the inter leaf friction is ovecome when the weight shifts in a corner as with a standard spring, especially one that's in need of some lubrication or is rusty. That break point can really unsettle a car in a hard corner.
Bill Young

If you were to attempt this job how do you remove the leaves from the 4 metal compression bands that hold the leaf spring together , , and even harder how do you put those bands back on once you put 5 pieces of plastic (making the pack even thicker)in-between them?
Chris Velardi

They are quite soft steel. A 2lb sledge will open them. A vice will close them (+ hammer)
Art Pearse

Last time I replaced my rear spring bushings I had a really hard time getting the springs remounted any tips to making it easier?
Chris Velardi

Chris,

That made me scratch my head too. Here's what I came up with and it worked a charm.

Mount the spring fore and aft.

Pull the pan connected to the shock absorber down under the spring and the various bits, line up the Ubolts to the holes in the bottom pan.

Jack up the pan, slowly compressing the spring until enough of the U bolt ends stick out to enable the nuts to get a bite.

Bob's your uncle.
T McCarthy

This thread was discussed between 01/07/2009 and 08/07/2009

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.