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MG MGB Technical - New type of rear springs?

Just a tiny question:
Can anybody give me a bit more info on the new rear parabolic springs the MGOC offers for MGBs?
I'm thinking of getting a pair of those as I was already planning of changing rear springs anyway and that new product seems to be quite interesting, but at double the price of the standard item, I'd like a bit of info before purchasing them...

I read the article in 'Enjoying MG' but one of the questions I'd like to see answered is whether the car would remain as 'horizontal' during high speed cornering as with the standard springs...
Is it also a bit 'softer' than standard springs, as I've often heard about single leaf springs?

Roger, anyone else?

Regards,

Alexander
Alexander M

Hi Alexander

I posted a similar query under an earlier string titled "New springs sit very high!" - this is still on the BBS.

BarryQ
73B
B.J. Quartermaine

Barry

I have read your thread "New springs sit very high!" - but am unsure whether you have the standard replacement springs, the single leaf composite springs, or the parabolic springs the MGOC offers?

Safety Fast

NJSS
Nigel Steward

Does anyone care to elaborate on what a "Parabolic" spring is? I have just returned to skiing, after a long absence, and now ski on "Parabolic" skis. These are very easy to turn, however I see no direct application to a MG's rear suspension.

Pete
Pete

These are not the springs reported as "sitting too high" (Think that refers to a crappy batch made up usually for sale from Moss). Common physics dictates these should be much better than standard, having no extra friction between the leaves. Initial movements will not be associated with the "stiction" of the conventional leaves and should respond far quicker giving better grip.

Just contacted MGOC and been told they're not planning them for midgets

Gutted!
Stuart Robson

Nigel

Sorry if I was unclear! I posted a comment on the reference thread enquiring re. the parabolic springs. I have no connection with the thread initiator - just thought that it was a relevant option for people who were unhappy with the standard replacement springs that are available.

BarryQ
73B
B.J. Quartermaine

Hi Alexander,

Like you, found EMG article on parabolic springs interesting. After a looking in MGC archives, I decided to eliminate composite rear springs : it seems they can not cope with transversal efforts under hard cornering (tendency to break) and it is recommended (understatement) to fit a panhard rod to the axle in order to transfer a part of those efforts.

I guess you have noticed parabolic springs also impose replacement of arm lever with telescopic shock absorbers. Price of parabolic springs conversion is more then doubled, compared with conventionnal springs.

Anti-roll control is not affected by slightly softer rear parabolic springs.
As most of the efforts under hard cornering are bore by front wheels, replacement of front anti-roll bar or, eventually, installation of a rear anti-rol bar coming from Rubber/Bumper MGBs (impossible on MGBs with banjo rear axle) is the only way to reduce rolling and improve cornering ability. Beleive us, the problem is tougher on our "heavy nose" MGCs.
Guillaume

So these "Parabolic Springs" are simply the same composite springs that have been around for a few years? I hear they are very good.

Pete
Pete

Pete,

No, these are not composite springs. They are steel leaf springs, but instead of having many leaves of uniform thickness with more leaves in the middle, they employ two leaves which are tapered to perform the same task. The two leaves only touch in the middle, the ends using the bush loops to run on and keep them apart, thus removing the friction (and therefore damping) provided by traditional leaf springs.

Looks like a gimmick to me, single tapered-leaf springs have been around for many years (look on the back of a transit van) and aren't that special. The main difference is the lack of damping, which means you have to fit telescopic dampers (or so they say anyway) to compensate, which is even more expense, and many say that ride quality is worse with the modern dampers.

When the springs on my GT break (which they are surely about to do) I will be replacing them with standard interleaved multi-leaf springs. Others, I'm sure, will choose differently and be just as happy with their suspension set-ups!

innit.
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

Other than being more compliant and able to follow rapid changes in road contour better - hence needing more damping to control the increased tendency to bounce - than the original springs which probably isn't of much benefit to most road use it does seem a very expensive gimmick. I can't see it handling sideways loads anywhere near as well as the standard items, albeit slightly better than the composites.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 09/01/2003 and 11/01/2003

MG MGB Technical index

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