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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Preparing for leaf spring rebuild

You may recall that I broke the main leaf in my right rear spring several weeks ago. Well, I finally got around to ordering a set of 12 rebound clips and rubber isolators for them. The plan is to use the main leaves from a donor set (thanks again to Don Gatheman), and bind them together with new rebound clips, as I didn't think much of the idea of reusing the original clips after bending them open for removal.

In the meantime, I've found that rebound clips, although they're used on probably 95% of all the leaf springs ever made, are much like the proverbial rocking horse poo when you want to replace them. You can buy any of thousands of new springs and mounting accessories, but after a thorough web search, I was able to find aftermarket rebound clips at only two sources, and one of those was out of stock.

For what it's worth, I ordered the clips from Eaton Springs in Detroit. Thanks again to Prop for the reference. I'd considered going with new springs instead of doing a rebuild, especially now that we've heard the Moss springs are better than before. But I was reluctant to spend all that money just to risk ending up with excessive ride height, and the chance of spending more on lowering blocks. I suspect that rebuilding with donor parts will leave the ride height about where it is; a good thing, since I've lowered the front about 1".

So yeah, the project hasn't died, and I've taken comfort in the fact that it's been much too hot to drive the midget anyway.

Gryf "Learning more about leaf springs than I really wanted to" Ketcherside
Gryf Ketcherside

Gryf, if your springs don't have the plastic inner leaf liners then I highly recommend getting some. Makes the spring rate much smoother and more progressive and will help the cornering be more controlled. I got mine through Speedway Motors http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spring-Liners-with-Lip,2079.html
The smallest size is a bit wide for a Midget spring, but I just trimmed the excess around the spring clamps and it works fine. I think it took two rolls for a pair of 1500 springs.
B Young

Yes, thanks... those are on my shopping list!

Interestingly, the old springs that Don G. gave me have liners, but my 1500 springs don't. They will now.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

This thread was discussed between 23/07/2011 and 24/07/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.