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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Chrome Bumper V-8 Rear Springs

I am slowly reassembling my V-8 bodyshell, and I installed a new set of chrome bumper V-8 springs from Moss London. The springs came with what appeared to be the correct BL part number spray painted on the top of the springs (don't remember what it was, and I have repainted the springs since).

The problem is, with the springs and rear axle attached to the bare bodyshell (sans engine, gearbox, gas tank, hatch, doors, interior, and just about everything else) I find that the arch is so great that the rebound straps will not reach. There is about an 8-inch gap between the top of the rear tyres and the lower edge of the fender. The rear spring shackles are pulled fully forward and are under a lot of tension.

I will assume that some of this arch will go away when I have installed everything onto the shell, but has anyone had a similar problem when installing new springs?

Thanks,
Paul Kile
Paul Kile

Yes Paul, I had the same problem and found that it was caused by the rear shackles being stiff on their new bushes and not swinging rearwards properly.

A bit of judicious levering and everything settled down OK.
Chris

This is normal, I think. I have had to jack under the springs to compress them (Body on stands) in order to fit both the shackle and the strap. This was on the roadster, I would expect the V8 GT to need it more so because of the stronger springs.

PaulH.
Paul Hunt

Assemble it all loose, leave all tightening to when the cars is complete and has normal weights. However I do suggest that you add some weight as a test to see by what degree the suspension will compress. I say this as I have several examples where so called correct springs leave the car with Range Rover ride heights and rebound straps under severe tension. If you add the test weights early you can arrange for alternative springs in exchange early too. In two cases the final choice was to go for lowered springs as all the 'standard' options gave the same dreadful ride heights.

Rog
Roger Parker

Thanks, guys for all the input. I plan to add some "test ballast" in the form of several large boxes of National Geographic Magazine back issues (the densest and heaviest substance known to man!). I plan to pile those on the bare spare tire floor and see how things look.

One last question for those of you with Factory V-8s - what is the normal angle of the rear shackles when the car is normally loaded and at rest, and does the shackle tilt to the back of the car or the front? That's one parameter I forgot to check when disassembling the beast.

Thanks again,
Paul Kile
Paul Kile

Paul,
thanks to you I go and talk to my V8 at odd hours of the night - it is very appreciative !
The shackles tilt to the back of the car, about 30 degrees from the vertical. Measurement from edge of wheelarch to centre of wheel is 13 inches. No idea if this is about right for a standard R/b car though.
When I get round to a rebuild I intend to use the fibreglass springs from US as I've heard such good reports.......
HTH
David Smith

Paul, there is little doubt in my mind that your shackles are angled forwards and to all intents look as though they are simply an extension of the spring. If you can't get the angles to settle and the ride height down I would be looking to alternative springs.

Rog
Roger Parker

I had a similar problem with new springs. I had to load the boot with all sorts of heavy junk, just to compress the springs enough to attach the tele dampers. I wasn't able to attach the axle straps until the car had been on the road about 3 weeks. Everything seems normal now. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Paul - on my factory V8 the bottom of the shackles are to the rear of the top by about 20 degrees from vertical.

PaulH.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2000 and 13/03/2000

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