Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

tips, technology, tools and techniques related to non-driveline mechanical components

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MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: May 13, 2013 10:14PM

Okay, I ran across an old thread where Curtis showed a pic of a race car setup with sliders instead of shackles. Looks like a better way to go about lowering the back of the leaf springs & possible improve the handling.

http://www.britishracecar.com/JamesBowler/JamesBowler-DQ.jpg

Problem is, I can't find a slider that works with a narrow leaf.

[www.jegs.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2013 10:15PM by MGBV8.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

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Re: Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: Moderator
Date: May 14, 2013 01:38AM

It appears that one could modify the slider you linked to by cutting the tube in the middle shorter and making up the distance with large washers (like the ones already used at each end of the tube.)


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6469 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: May 14, 2013 08:48AM

For street use, my concern would be binding when there is any body roll, and noise transmitted to the car body. Also grit will get in the slot and there will be wear so the plates should be replaceable. If you could upsize the whole thing enough to use UHMW or nylon (available in black) for the side plates it seems it would work better and the bearings would last longer.

Jim
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DC Townsend
David Townsend
Vermont
(406 posts)

Registered:
11/21/2007 12:22PM

Main British Car:
'78 B (almost done) 30-over SBF, dry sump

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Re: Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: DC Townsend
Date: May 14, 2013 09:52AM

You could certainly build them yourself but Afco makes a nicely put together, ready-to-go part - [www.summitracing.com]


DiDueColpi
Fred Key
West coast - Canada
(1365 posts)

Registered:
05/14/2010 03:06AM

Main British Car:
I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now!

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Re: Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: DiDueColpi
Date: May 17, 2013 03:51AM

Not really a big fan of sliders.
My biggest beef is that they are noisy, as in really loud.
No big deal on a track car but you will need a very big sound system on a street car to tune them out.
The other less obvious fault is the loss of tuning advantage that a shackle gives you.
The angle of the shackle allows a degree of spring rate tuning that the slider can't duplicate, unless a cam profile is used.
Then there's the binding problem that requires a watts linkage to fix that doesn't quite do it all. While adding to the unsprung weight.
So in my opinion, why use them?
Cheers
Fred


MGB-FV8
Jacques Mathieu
Alexandria, VA
(299 posts)

Registered:
09/11/2009 08:55PM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB Small Block Ford, 331 Stroker

Re: Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: MGB-FV8
Date: May 23, 2013 10:16PM

I did not hear any noise when I had mine in my '65 Barracuda; it also removed a lot of body roll.......


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4512 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: May 25, 2013 07:57AM

I thought the sliders might be an easier, faster solution to returning a RB MG to CB specs compared to Lloyd Faust's tutorial on moving the leaf spring shackle pivot. Would be, too, if there were some ready made to fit our leaf springs.

BTW, some are made with sealed bearings & some with nylon.

[www.speedwaymotors.com]

Leaf s[ring tech article:

[www.afcoracing.com]



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