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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Check Straps: Semi Elliptic

How important are the rubber check straps on a semi-elliptic set up? Lever arms will stroke down much further than the spring would drop, so do the check straps prevent damage to the springs or are they actually redundant? I have no welded attachment at axle end and the suspension is lowered anyway so attaching to the usual point wouldn't make sense anyway.
Graeme Williams

They stop the whole lot dropping down and potentially inverting the rear shackles. I've fitted shortened nylon ones on mine (lowered quite a bit) after snapping some of the rubber ones. I went with the shortened ones to stop big rear in the air pitching under heavy braking (which worked!)
Rob Armstrong

"stop big rear in the air under heavy braking"
You should really be wearing a 5 point harness.
GuyW

Thanks Rob! Of course, I can see that now. Because my axle is packed up by spacers between the axle and spring to lower the suspension, the existing lower attachment point for the strap is now much higher relative to the top attachment. Somehow I need to devise an alternative anchor lower down. Surely lots must have retained lever arms and lowered the suspension. Anyone any suggestions?
Graeme Williams

There are two lengths of check straps available. I think the 1/4 eliptic ones are the shorter and maybe would work with your lowered semi-eliptic suspension. I can measure the length of mine tomorow, unless somene else here knows the lengths anyway.
GuyW

Guy - thank you. Could do with knowing both quarter and semi lengths. Andhow to ruuber bumper ones compare???
Graeme Williams

I would expect if you removed the check straps and the LA dampers reached their travel limits you would end up with broken LA dampers and as mentioned possible inversion of the rear shackles.
David Billington

David: the lever arms have a phenominal amount of travel compared to the teles I'm removing (which were inadequate from that point of view). My problem is jusdging how far the axle can drop before shackles become a problem and then finding a suitable strap and attachment point.
Graeme Williams

Hi Graeme to overcome this I cut my checkstraps in half overlapped them and put a 1/4 bolt through with 2 penny washers. I have 2” lowered springs and levers seems fine and I used to race with that set up
Mike Fairclough

I think that the rubber bumper straps are longer. After I broke a chrome bumper length one leaping the car off a bridge in the Dales with all 4 wheels off the ground, I tried to replace it with one I had 'in stock' but it was longer. Eventually fitted these (but shorter ones from ebay which I can't find now):

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/check-strap-rebound-nylon-pair-ahh5081x.html

Rob Armstrong

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2019 and 17/07/2019

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