MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Rear shackles

I'm in the process of fitting new heritage leaf springs to my '69 B GT. The shackles are pointing towards the front of the car. I have tried jacking up the spring to get them to point towards the rear but the car starts to lift off the axles stands before I can get the shackles past the vertical.

The springs are not attached to the axle.

Any ideas how to go about getting them into the correct position.

Regards

Tony


Tony Brough

I think you will find as you bring the car back on to its wheels the hangers will go back.
Trevor Harvey

As Trevor says leave it until you get everything attached and the car back on its wheels. But if the car is fully equipped and standing on it's wheels, and they are still pointing forwards, then the springs are too stiff or too arched. The springs - except on V8s which are harder - should be almost flat at normal loading.
paulh4

Back on terra firma and still pointing forwards. It is just the bare she'll at the moment no doorsor tailgate.

So should I leave them hoping they will settle in time or do I take them off and return them to get better arched /strength ones next time?
Tony Brough

Are the two retaining straps in position. Without them the rear axle will droop down way too far.
Sandy
Sandy Saunders

The ride hieght is approx 17.5 at the moment which is higher than any recorded on Paul Hunts website.

Thanks Sandy the straps are fitted, they are the ones supplied by strapping lad.
Tony Brough

Tony

I have the same problem with mine at the moment, only mine are the original springs.

The consensus was that the weight of the engine and gearbox (when fitted) will help.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks Dave, I hope so, although it will get a while before they are ready to go in...
Tony Brough

Without power train, doors or tailgate, and I assume interior seats and trim, the car is short of several hundred pounds of weight. I strongly expect the springs to flatten once the car is fully assembled.
Mike Howlett

Yes-and being new springs they will settle further as well

next job-??

willy
William Revit

Mike

It is just the shell with front and rear suspension etc fitted so a lot more weight to go in.

Willy,

I think I will crack on with the rear wing replacement next, but I have plenty to choose from so it may change!
Tony Brough

If it's a bare shell you are short of some 500lb of weight, so I'm not surprised it's on stilts. Forget about it until you have the engine and gearbox back in at least.
paulh4

The weight distribution on a B is fairly even front to back. So it will settle. If they are new springs watch for the settling on the bump stops, I had 2 new sets do that!!!
Allan Reeling

Tony,

If you finish getting everything bolted together, and the car still sits too high, will it be too late to take the issue up with the supplier? Maybe you could figure out how much weight to pile in the boot to check the loaded height?

Charley
C R Huff

Tony,

If you finish getting everything bolted together, and the car still sits too high, will it be too late to take the issue up with the supplier? Maybe you could figure out how much weight to pile in the boot to check the loaded height?

Charley
C R Huff

FWIW I measured the V8 today which is really just a rolling shell plus dash - 17.5" front and 17.75" rear, as opposed to 14.5" front and 15.5" rear fully equipped. However that's no help, as jacking up the front of the roadster that also goes to 17.5". So all that represents is the suspension fully extended and on the bump stops, which gives no clue as to how much it will sink when fully equipped.
paulh4

Tony

I had the same problem with my re-overached leaves
but put 1 inch lowering blocks in order to let the leaves settle.
P.Y.A. De Rouck

This thread was discussed between 19/03/2017 and 27/03/2017

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now