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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear Springs

Finally got my rear end all back together but can't for the life of me get the rear spring shackles to sit behind the rear pivot point. Is there any trick to this. Springs are the same ones that came off the car shackles and front mounts are all the same, only difference is new bushes all rounds and items cleaned and painted. I am thinking as the springs have been off the car they have curved more as there is no weight on them.
C Carter

i attached the axle to the springs first, but loosely, then put the assembly on my trolley jack to support it.
Then attached the front spring mounts first, then the shackles at the back.
Then jacked it up a bit and tightened everything bit by bit to make sure it aligned itself... seemed to work ok...

Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

C. The method usually quoted on here is to leave all the axle and shackle fastenings loose until you've dropped the car off the jack so that everything has a chance to settle before you tighten it up.
graeme jackson

Chris,
Jack the rear of the car up with jacks under the body, not under the axle. Leave the wheels on, but they need to be clear of the ground at this point. This will take the tension off the springs and shackles. The shackle will hang near vertical, but probably pointing forwards a bit at the lower (spring) end.

The objective is to lever the shackle into the correct orientation as you lower the car onto the ground. If it starts to compress with the shackle pointing forward it will just lock itself into that position, so a little gentle persuasion is needed to get it to start off in the right direction.

Get a pry bar that will fit into the loop formed by the rear spring shackle. Then progressively lower the jack whilst levering the shackle rearwards so that as the load comes onto the spring the shackle end moves up and rearwards. Once it has passed the vertical, further lowering onto the spring will neatly push it round into its proper rearward facing position, and it will then stay there.
Guy W

Should have added,
Trying to lever the shackle round once it has compressed and gone the wrong way is futile. You would be levering against both a compressed spring and the weight of the car. Go back a step or two, lever just as the spring begins to "sense" the weight of the car and the shackle is about to move and at this point it will lever over quite easily. You can do one spring at a time and it is a one-person job, although someone else to control the jack might help, especially if it isn't a hydraulic one.
Guy W

I understand what you are all saying and really appreciate the advice. I will slacken all the bolts off a little and try prying it as I lower it. Fingers crossed.
C Carter

And as suggested above, save all final tightening until full weight is on the wheels. This will ensure that there's no twist imparted to the bushes at standard ride height.

Cheers,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

This thread was discussed between 10/05/2013 and 11/05/2013

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