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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - new leaf springs

I logged in a while ago about jackstand placement. I got great advice, and all worked well.
I spent today removing my rearend , and suspension.My first question is, this being mid year 2011,is anyone making new leafsprings that are any good? I found a place that will re-arch mine by pounding them with a BFH on an anvil.
My next problem is, I broke a bolt off at the front leaf mount. It was one that goes up into the car, not one that is behind the seat inside. I'm a journeyman machinist, so I have experience removing broken bolts but never from under a car. Has anyone else done this, and are there any tricks that might make this go a little better for me???? There is about 1/8 of bolt showing, so after I drill it, I may try welding a nut to it. Wish me luck.
DW Wittkopp

A number of options...

You've already mentioned welding a nut to the remains, which may work.

Drilling and using a stud extractor...probably less likely.

Drilling and re-tapping.

Drilling through and using a nut on the top. This depends whether it is the inner or outer bolt. IIRC the inner one can be accessed through the oval hole in at the back of the floor.
Dave O'Neill 2

I had that happen to me several times when stripping my midget, back in the day. The "screw extractor" / "easy out" didn't work for me, and I didn't have a welder.

So, I drilled a small hole in the middle of the bit of bolt, and then gradually increased the diameter of the hole until I just kissed through the edge of the threads. At that point the rest would simply turn out with finger effort and a dental tool.

It is not even necessary to have the hole in the very center, just so that you remove enough material (by gradually increasing the drill diameter) to let the part rotate.

On one of them I went too far, and so I then heli-coiled to restore the nut threads.

Use cutting oil to keep the bits cool, and get used to hot metal chips dripping on you as you work, and think of it as great summer fun!

Hope this helps.

Norm
Norm Kerr

Oh, and in reply to your original question: there was another thread about leaf springs in the last week, and the conclusion was that the stuff being sold by Moss now is just fine (there were bad parts a few years ago)


Norm
Norm Kerr

Same thing happened to me about 30 years ago. On both sides.(same car I have now).

So I ground the heads off the bolts, drilled straight through the bolts, and tapped new threads.

I went up a size from the standard bolt, because back then I had never heard of helicoils. :(. But actually I think it was quite a good idea as I have bigger bolt heads to get a hold on now.

Luckily the captive nuts in the chassis for these particular bolts seem to be made of meaty stuff, so there was plenty of metal for a bigger bolt, and 30 years on I have replaced the springs several times.

Just be sure to get the car high enough to allow you to drill straight.

As Norm says use cutting fluid, last thing you need is a broken drill or tap in there.
Lawrence Slater

I'ved used Norm's drilling technique serval times to good effect as until quite recently I though a helicoil was some sort of special tool, luckily I never said this or I'd have looked an idiot

doh!
N Atkins

I must take the time to thank all for your advice. I was able to get the broken bolt out by drilling with carbide tipped 1/8 in drill bit. I then stepped up to 1/4 in. I then took a high speed air dremel w/ a 1/8 carbide burr tool, and hotched the bolt on each side untill I could see threads, and folded the bolt in on itself. It only took 3 hrs.
I now know why my car sat so low on the drivers side. The first leaf was broken. I will start looking at new replacements. I'm not sure if the same people supply Moss and Victoria British. If anyone knows, please let me know. Moss seems to be what everyone talks about.
Thanks again.
DW Wittkopp

"when in doubt, use Moss"

There is a reason why VB has slightly lower prices.
To be fair, VB certainly have a lot of good parts, but with all of the talk of bad springs lately, and the recent confirmation of good ones from Moss, and the fact that bad springs may not show up for months, well after the warranty has expired, I wouldn't take the risk, if it was me.



Norm
Norm Kerr

well done, thanks for letting all know the outcome
N Atkins

This thread was discussed between 29/06/2011 and 30/06/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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