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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear Leaf Springs - Front Eye Bush

This is one of the few parts of my car I have never dismantled. I do get the 'usual' spring creaks and some of them possibly come from the front spring eye area, it's difficult to tell exactly.

So I was wondering if the bushes are prone to wear. My springs and spring pocket areas are in pretty good condition. I am considering whether renewing the bushes/pins is worthwhile as one of my to do jobs this summer.

My car is a midget 1500 but the front spring bushes are the same part number on 1275s even though I know the leaf springs themselves are different.

Any comments or experiences welcome.

Thanks

Steve Lowiss



PS. I have polybushes all round, fitted about 2 years ago, it's just that the front bushes did not get done at that time.
s lowiss

Steve,
The front bushes are of the "Metalastic" type and are pretty robust. They are the same on 1500 and 1275 cars as the springs themselves only differ in the amount of curvature and therefore ride height. The attachments are identical.

If replacing them, then make sure that you also fit new spacing washers either side of the bush. And if necessary add further flat steel washers to act as shims to take up any lateral play. This will reduce the tendency for the axle to move laterally relative to the body on hard cornering
Guy

Thanks Guy
Have you any comments on whether you have ever seen any of the bushes themselves show signs of wear, or is it most likely that any squeaks are originating from any end 'thrust' support washers.

Steve Lowiss
s lowiss

Can't really comment Steve.
When I replaced mine (fitting new springs) they looked pretty sound for a 38 year old car. I suspect they hadn't been replaced before. They didn't squeak, although sometimes the springs themselves did in dry weather - if you can remember what that is!
Guy

A good chance the creak/squeak is the drop links (it was on mine) to the dampers.

Undo them from the leaf spring and wiggle them about you will soon know.
R Fowler

This thread was discussed on 14/02/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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