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MGA MGA rear springs

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keithg78

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Hello everyone!

I want to rebuild the rear suspension on my 1958 MGA this winter and was wondering what to do about the rear springs. Should I buy new or have the orignals re-arched? It costs about the same. If I do get new rear springs which supplier carries the best ones? Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
I look at it this way, I like to use the original product the car came with as long as restoration can bring the part back to it's original specs. Sometimes the cost is much more than a replacement part and some wish to go that route. I have no idea if the new springs are made of the same material as the originals. Some have reported that the car sets a little too high on the new ones, but then again, I have no idea where they got them. If the cost is the same, I would have yours re-arched. But that's just me. PJ
 
Jack, If it's a well established shop, they probably already have the specs. Check with them first if they do. PJ
 
Hi all,

I have a similar question to Keith's. I have a '72 MGB that has a 1" sag in the lower rear quarter. I pulled the shocks off today and remeasured the height, still 1" lower on the left rear. I am curious if anyone on the list has ever actually had a set of springs recurved. What were your results? This car has tube shocks front and rear. The rebound strips have been removed and not replaced, perhaps because the car was lowered. Without any idea of what sort of spring load or ride height this car should have, does anyone have a guess at what sort of leaf springs I should be looking for on a car that has been lowered one inch?

Tim C.
 
Tim, Are you saying that someone lowered the car intentionally, or the car just sets lower than normal? I have no idea why someone would want to lower a 72. Is it only the left side rear spring that sags? Common over the years to sag a little on the drivers side. There are more than one length of rebound strap, the 72 already has short ones and the rubber bumper models have longer ones. There's no reason to remove the rebound straps from the car as damage to the stock shocks can occur if the car bounces up too far. The straps are to prevent that.
Yes, I have had springs re-curved and actually leaves built, building old style sprint cars, but not on an MGB, which makes no difference anyway, most leaf springs are basically the same. All temper is removed from the spring leaves by heating, then bent to specs. After the leaves are re-curved, their re-tempered and are basically as new. PJ
 
Paul,

I see after re-reading my previous note that I didn't do a very good job of explaining things. Sorry 'bout that.

The car has SPAX tube shocks on the front, and an unmarked manufacturer's tube shocks on the rear (they are white with some numbers, but not the same numbers on both shocks). When parked next to other stock MGB's, mine defintiely sits lower all around, so I'm guessing it has been lowered 1". The left rear is what sits 1" lower yet than the right rear side. I compared ride height to that which I could find in my service manuals and online, and it does seem to sit about an inch lower than specs (26 1/4" on the right rear, floor to trim strip).

I've been looking in my area for shops that can do the recurving, but don't find any, so may just wind up buying a new set, since the cost of recurving plus shipping will likely be a wash with a new set. I see the following on Moss's UK website, but couldn't find it on their US site:

"The standard rates for leaf springs is 93 lb./in for chrome bumper models and 110lb/in for rubber bumper models; roadsters use six leaf springs and GTs have seven . While retaining the above specifications, the springs listed here are designed to lower the ride height by 1" for road use and by 2" or more (depending on the vehicle's weight) for competition use. The springs (which are sold individually) are suitable for MGB's, MGC's & V8's and must be fitted in pairs. If larger than standard diameter tyres and wheels are being used the competition springs can also be used for a road car, especially a rubber bumper model. It is recommended that the shackle bushes are replaced by nylatron items on not only racing, but road cars as well."

I guess that answers my question about which spring I need. Now to find out if the springs Moss US sells are the same they sell in the UK...

Tim C.
 
I see what your saying now Tim. If you can find the right ones you need, I agree, it would more than likely be easier and less aggravation, to just buy a new set. Hope all works out well. PJ
 
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