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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear springs, which way round

I'm in the process of reassembling my 1500 midget that's been in pieces for some time. I've fitted new bushes all round and have just put the back axle back in. Now it's in place I can see that the spring isn't symmetrical either side of the axle. My question is, should the longer side of the spring be at the front or rear? At the moment the shorter section goes to the front mounting, I'm not sure whether it's possible to fit the front bush in the wrong place, I'm sure I would have fitted the new bush at the same time I removed the old bush.

Also, when I removed the front rear spring hangers there where spacers between the hangers and the floor. It would seem these purpose of these is to raise the height a fraction, as this is a 1500 being a little lower wouldn't hurt, so I've left them out. Any thoughts?

Bob
R.A Davis

Bob,
The longer side goes to the rear.
As far as I can see from the various parts diagrams there weren’t any spacers fitted between the front hangers and the floor originally.
Simon
S Holt

do you mean these spacers only seen them in manual


mark heyworth

Simon, Thanks, the reason I doubted it was that when I fitted the wheel it looked to far forward, it's also sitting fairly high but that's because it's still a bar shell.

Mark, that's the ones, although in my case it's single spacers and they're approx ½ inch thick

Bob
R.A Davis

Bob, if its sitting high then check that the rear end of the spring has settled back correctly so that the link shackle projects down and rearwards from the floor mounted bracket. It is possible for this to settle pointing forwards as you lower the car onto the suspension and the spring eye then locks up forwards of the bracket, holding the car too high. If this happens you may need to use a pry bar through the shackle and lever it backwards as you simultaneously slowly lower the car onto its suspension.
Its easier done than described!
GuyW

Wrong.


anamnesis

Correct.



anamnesis

Hi

I have the 1500 and there is definitely the spacers shown on the front mounting bracket in place. There is a single one on each side of the bracket around 1/2 inch thick as you described.
Philip Kevan

1500s were raised to meet US crash regulations on bumper height, unkindly known as the "pig on castors" spec, so yes to anyone other than a purist it will look better lower and may even handle a bit better. You may have to do something at the front to match, longer spring pan bolts and spacers are one fix for that.
AdrianR

This thread was discussed between 13/04/2021 and 14/04/2021

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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