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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Suspension

Chaps

Been considering a telescopic rear set up to replace the LA set up at the rear. Driver's side at the rear seems a little - er bouncy - so I think the LAs are on their way out. Springs are new.....

Therefore - telescopic over original LAs - generally good idea or not? Thinking about fitting the FL kit....

Secondly - LAs at the front seem OK, but want to check the fluid. Remove large hex nut I assume - then what? Where is the fill level? Also - is it oil or hydraulic fluid and if oil will thicker grade oil improve matters?

My thanks as always

PS. BBK needle now fitted to mate up with fettled Metro head - absolutely tremendous.....

Mark
Mark O

Mark

You can use motorcycle fork oil, e.g. from Silkolene (heavy SAE 20 grade if I remember correctly)

Also
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?pCode=015.948

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

Mark,

Don't remove the large hex nut to fill as that is the valve assembly. IIRC the fill point is a small hex plug in the bulb above the rectangular plate next to the LA arm and shaft.
David Billington

David

Yes, further trawling on the web netted a nice picture....hex nut on side of cylindrical "reservoir". I assume fill level is simply to the hole....and yes, don't touch the other hex nut!


Mike - I think I have some fork oil - from other hobbies......

Cheers

Mark
Mark O

my present midget came with Spax on the rear which were fine but the FL are better

the FL tend to be firmer/harder and I have mine set around two clicks up from softest out of about 14 clicks

of course springs, bushes, wheels, tyres and tyre pressure contribute to the general feel and handling and ride

I'd strongly recommend that if you buy FL stuff that you get it indirect from a supplier that offers their own warranty

the AVO dampers are made in Northampton and can be repaired, I'm not sure how accurate or matched the valving is in them though
Nigel Atkins

I've got a Spax setup on my Midget. The shock absorbers are at an angle rather than vertical. I think this does make them appear softer than if they were vertical. With vertical you usually end up two clocks from softest setting. I suppose with angled shocks it might mean you are 4 clicks from softest.
Also, being at an angle there is a modicum of axle location.

If there were decent lever shocks available I wouldn't bother at the rear but it's a different story at the front.

Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

Mark,

Did you mean 'BBK' or BDK needle ?

richard boobier

Richard

BDK - profuse apols.......

M
Mark O

The problem with the mounting angle of the Spax set-up is that the angle increases quite a bit as the axle is deflected upwards, and the damping is even further reduced - just when you need it most. When the car is well loaded (passenger and a boot full luggage) and on bumpy roads they are almost useless. Take the load out and they feel much better.
Paul Walbran

Someone here did a DIY with dodge (horizen shocks ... ???) He used the rubber rebound strap bolt ( id reinforce that area with plate steel and a grade 8 bolt) and the hole on the diff that holds the lever shock thing-a-ma-jig

Trevor jesse suggested about a year ago of using ATV tube shocks, which I think is a great idea but ive never followed up on...those come in lite to ultra heavy duty with lots of attachment sizes and arrangement styles

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Almost remembered it

Dodge colt not dodge horzine, any way here is the link

http://npmccabe.tripod.com/spritetubeshock.htm

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Augh.... sorry,

The above is for a DIY midget tube shock conversion for the front of the car, not the back

Anyway, im.short on time, but just google mg midget dodge colt shock conversion or some variation and there will be a nuber of sites that detail this modification

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

I fitted FL/ AVO shock absorbers (1/4 eleptical on my Frogeye).
Rather firm, but fine.
Had to limit travel by extra 8 mm steel plate above the rubber block. Otherwise the shock absorber bottomed.
J.W. Vlaanderen

This thread was discussed between 20/02/2015 and 22/02/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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