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MG MGB Technical - TRF Rear Leafs

Does anyone have experience with the replacement rear leaf springs and components from The Roadster Factory - material quality, knowledge of manufacturer or foundry, etc.?
RJ Graves

Not familiar with the Roadster Factory, but they might resell the same ones that Moss and/or British Victoria sell. I got a set from British Victoria and my 80 LE was about an inch and a half higher in the rear afterward. I just installed the lowering kit to bring it back in line with the front. I recall others mentioning having the same experience with new springs regardless of supplier. Thus, you might budget for the lowering kit. Other than that, they're an excellent replacement. I think they're marked "made in Taiwan" and that's the only distinguishing mark on them.
Rick Penland

TRF are made in England,however i dont remember the name. I called TRF about them,I'm just gonna use my orginial ones.Rich O
rich osterhout

Very many complaints, particularly from the USA but more recently from the UK, about excessive rear ride height. British Springs used to make them in the UK, but when they moved the factory and a significant number of the workforce didn't want to move with it supplies stopped. I was lucky, I got some old stock when I needed to replace the V8 springs, other varieties were in very short supply. I've had three sets from different places over the years and none have ridden too high, the problem has been too low a ride height when touring in the roadster and bottoming and grounding the exhaust on country roads, so much so that I had to fabricate extended shackles to raise it.

I've had more of a problem with *coil* springs having too high a free height as well as loaded.
PaulH Solihull

Paul,i understand the "British" steel width are alot narrower than ours. I had check into getting some made,however they couldnt obtain the proper size steel.FWIW
rich osterhout

RJ, don't replace your rear leaf springs unless you have to. Have your originals rebuilt and re-arched at a competent spring shop. The ride height is not the only problem with replacement springs. You also run the risk of getting springs that are not straight which will set the rear end off center.

Tom
Tom Custer

Thanks to all. To Paul's point, given all the ride height issues discussed on the web, I will first look into finding a local spring shop to re-arch vs. the risks associated with replacement.
RJ Graves

Rich - do you mean steel stock? It surprises me if you can't get 1 3/4" wide and variously 3/16" or 7/32" thick according to spec.

Arching is only one aspect, deflection/rate and temper can also be lost with age.
PaulH Solihull

When I replaced my rear springs I used The Roadster Factory. They were perfect, but that was nearly 20 years ago. They haven't sagged a bit in all that time. They were marked Made in England. RAY
rjm RAY

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2010 and 02/09/2010

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