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MG MGA - Best Supplier of Leaf Springs?

Has anyone bought new leaf springs in the last year or so, and is happy with the quality?
Nick

Nick, I just purchased a new set of rear springs from Scarborough Faire in Rhode Island that are apparently made in England. I'm getting a bouncy ride presently even with new shocks, I don' tknow if this is normal, perhaps they will settle down. See my recent post on bouncy rear springs.

Andy 60 Coupe
Andy Preston

Mine came from Moss and said Made In England, but they are not the same size as original springs and I sent them back immediately and refurbished my original springs.

Problems would have been increased ride height and a less stable rear end IMO. Neither of which I wanted to live with.

Cheers,
Christopher
Christopher Wilson

Every time there is a question about rear springs people complain about ride height. There seem to be no direct replacement MGA springs out there. When I needed rear springs I did what I do for ANY car. I took the old springs to Denver Spring and discussed my needs with them. They always returned to me springs that "fit"
You have a good pattern! Find a spring shop that can do the job. Ride height and spring rate are fully adjustable by a good spring shop. If your springs are worn and "soft" but not broken they can be made good as new. The spring shop has an oven that heats the springs and allows them to re temper and re-arch the springs. If there is a broken leaf they can make a new one.
It appears that Andy got springs with the correct height or arch but too stiff of a rate.
Here is a picture of the Twin Cam Factory workshop manual page.

R J Brown

If I were to go out and buy replacement springs tomorrow before I parted with any money I would check the following at the shop:-
1. Number of leaves is seven
2. Width of leaves is 1.75"
3. Thickness of leaves is 7/32"
4. Height of spring placed on a flat surface with the small leaf on top is 6.375" from the surface to the top face of the small leaf.

If the first three check out OK then don't buy if the 6 3/8" dimension is out by more than 1/4".

If you buy over cambered springs then getting someone to reduce the camber will probably cost more than the original cost. RJB gives good advice. Mike

PS I have approached two spring shops in this area asking if they could reduce spring camber by deflecting past their elastic limit but both frowned on the technique.
m.j. moore

I believe Jones Springs in the West Midlands do a good job, but not cheap!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Number of leaves is 6. The short piece on bottom is the bottom plate, not intended to be springy, therefore not a leaf. Find a drawing with dimensions and original spec's here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/rs105.htm
Barney Gaylord

Thanks very much, everybody. I've just failed the MOT with a broken leaf, and I'm aware of the widespread criticism of modern replacements (start off too high - sag within a year).

After reading your comments and doing a bit of research, I was surprised at just how many spring repairers and re-temperers there are in England. I think that's the best way to go, subject to making a lot of calls and finding out the costs.

Ruinous, I suspect.
Nick

Any thoughts on the idea of moving leaf 6 to on top of leaf 1 to reduced spring strength but still keep the overall thickness clamped by the U bolts to the same dimension? Would this be the Grapes of Wrath answer to correct modern spring issues?
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Buy a new spring, swap out only the broken (top?) leaf and clamp it up again. The camber will only change slightly.
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 05/05/2009 and 07/05/2009

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