MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I am having my front and rear shocks replaced with rebuilt World Wide Auto Parts shocks to try to get the suspension like new again. I do plan to replace all the bushings too. Just wondering if I should just go ahead and replace the leaf springs while I am at it. Any thoughts or experiences?
dey's some lousy leaf springs out there. choose carefully. is your car sagging?
What's the ride height like? Do you have any noticeable lean (is one side lower than the other), or does it seem to sit low in the ass-end? If not, I'd recommend leaving well enough alone.
I'm in the middle of my rear suspension rebuild now...I chose to keep my old springs...there was no sagging or rubbing. I just hit 'em with a wire wheel to clean them up, then some POR15 and new prothane bushings. I also have rebuilt shocks from Peter and opted for new shock links as the old ones were a bit dodgy! New rebound straps and lots of nuts and bolts. Last thing is to paint the rear axle and pumpkin then reassemble. Then start on the front! Good luck!
Leaf springs can be "re-arched." A good large truck suspension shop can tell you where in your area. Additionally, If you contact Doug Jackson at MGBMGA.com, he has kits of fiberglass springs for MGB. They're much lighter than the stock springs and very pretty pieces too :)
As has pretty much been said by others, don't replace springs that don't have obvious problems. The quality of aftermarket springs over the years has been all over the place. You could easily be trading springs that are merely old for new ones that have too high a ride height, or don't match or.....
I replaced my leaf springs from MOSS - the quality is excellent and the ride height is perfect. They will make your car feel like a new pair of sneakers.
I reused ours when we did a complete rennovation on our '71 and after less than 2,000 miles got new rear leafs from Moss and they are great. The car sets level side to side (actually it did that before) and is about 1" higher in the back than it was. It rides and handles even better than before. Plus it no longer drags the center muffler on driveways which is a real bonus.
Joe
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. When your springs are worn out, the rear will sag. If it isn't sagging then new springs would be a waste of money.
I'm biased about the new Heritage springs since I sell them, but they are on my car also. They restore a car back to the proper ride height, not too high which has been the case of some past springs, and haven't collapsed in the two years they have been installed like some other aftermarket springs. They are a good deal.
I was pondered the same thing last summer, and decided to order a set from Chris last year. As far as I know, and judging by Chris' last response, Moss hasn't changed from their heritage springs. My car's arse was hanging a little low (would scrape the exhaust pipe going over the rail road tracks to my house with old springs, not it doesn't). It really tightens up the rear end too. I did put in poly bushings all around at the same time, but the springs helped a lot with controlling the rear end. Also, check to make sure your rear spring hangers aren't bent. I had one that was pretty badly bent. Hardly any rubbing (running 195's on Rostyle wheels with an axle that has about 1/2" offset towards the driver's side like most of em), where with the old springs, you would rub anytime you hit a slight bump while making a slight turn left (I think I have the direction correct).
To make a long story short, if the rear of your car feels loose and is sagging, you will be happy with new leaf springs. A word of caution, have something, preferably a sawzall, ready to cut the front eye bolt... It's generally rusted to the steel insert in the front eye rubber bushing.
Hurst
I replaced everything else with brand new, but I decided to keep the original rear springs specifically BECAUSE they are sagging. I got the lowered front springs to match.
Now my car sits about 1.5 inches lower than stock, and I like it that way.
If your springs are original then it is highly likely they have sagged somewhat. If the quality of the new springs was guaranteed, it would be a no brainer for me - but the quality seems to have varied considerably. Still, I would probably be inclined to replace them with Heritage springs.
I am treating my 75GT Jubilee to a suspension upgrade and wondered about the Moss parabolic springs. I dont know a thing about them but the cost is only a little more(107GBP)VS 74GBP than stock springs. Does it add or detract from the moss evolution 2 kit? Any experience out there is greatly appreciated before I place an order.
i'm rebuilding mine this winter i'mkeeping the old leaf springs and replaceing what is worn
The big benefit of the parablic springs is the lack of friction between the leaves. That's also the big problem with old springs. They get rust between the leaves, causing more friction, and less dampening. If you disassemble, derust, paint, and add friction reducing strips between the leaves, they're essentially rebuilt and will perform much better. The new springs offered by Moss (Heritage) are excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to put a set on my car if I didn't already have the parabolics installed!
I don't think Doug Jackson still sells the glass springs, does he? If so, you MUST add traction bars or they'll splinter. Ask me how I know.