Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

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

Go to Thread: PreviousNext
Go to: Forum ListMessage ListNew TopicLog In


DonB
Don Bonar
Prairie Village, KS
(80 posts)

Registered:
09/09/2011 10:06AM

Main British Car:
1971 MG-B 95 GM 3.4 V-6

spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: DonB
Date: February 20, 2014 03:47PM

I need to raise the front end to clear some body/fender mods. I've already swapped out the old tired springs with new and slightly heaver MGB-GT springs and got about an inch. I need another inch (save the jokes) and thought about spring rubbers like the big boy racers. Anyone try this approach, or... better idea?

Don B.


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!

authors avatar
Re: spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: DiDueColpi
Date: February 20, 2014 04:29PM

Hey Don,

If you are talking about the rubbers that go in between the coils. Then absolutely no.
If you want to put a rubber or metal spacer either under or over the spring. In its mounting pocket. Then that's perfectly acceptable.
Due to the leverage involved the spacer won't need to be a full inch to gain an inch of suspension rise.
Something on the order of 60-70% works on the B suspension.

All hail the mighty "B" cam.
Fred


DonB
Don Bonar
Prairie Village, KS
(80 posts)

Registered:
09/09/2011 10:06AM

Main British Car:
1971 MG-B 95 GM 3.4 V-6

Re: spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: DonB
Date: February 20, 2014 05:54PM

Fred,
Thanks... Probably used the wrong discriptor... was actually thinking of the coll-over spring rubbers but... same thought/issue. I see 3/16" nylon spring spacers in Moss but $15 each? They say "2 per side only" which gives me 3/8". Anyone know what that translates to in actual ride height?
I appreciate the quick response.
Don B.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: February 20, 2014 06:02PM

Don, I think the coil seat is halfway between the pivot and the king pin, you might want to take your own measurements. Should be somewhere between that and Fred's recommendation. Easy as pie to have someone with a lathe make them up or even do it with holesaws. Use any material. Plastic is fine. We used a cellulose filled plastic just because it was handy, even wood will work. Leave a pilot to go inside the spring and you're all set.

Jim


DonB
Don Bonar
Prairie Village, KS
(80 posts)

Registered:
09/09/2011 10:06AM

Main British Car:
1971 MG-B 95 GM 3.4 V-6

Re: spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: DonB
Date: February 20, 2014 09:12PM

Hi Jim,
Bill D. did the heavy lifting today on the spring swap.... think I'm going to local Metal by the Foot where they have a lazer table. Take a old spring and a spring bucket for fit (actually measurements) and have some spacers cut from both 3/8" and 1/4" steel. I'll make enough for both cars.
Only concern is... keeping spring in place on the pan "lip" while we crank it up.... not a lot of "free" space there. Guess I could use a spring compressor if I had one!

Thanks for the thoughts
Don B.


74ls1tr6
Calvin Grannis
Elk Grove,CA
(1151 posts)

Registered:
11/10/2007 10:05AM

Main British Car:
74 TR6 / 71 MGB GT TR6/Ls1 71 MGB GT/Ls1

authors avatar
Re: spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: 74ls1tr6
Date: February 20, 2014 11:48PM

I have used aluminum spacers from Richard Good (they have a lip on the top side to keep the spring centered)......goodparts .com...... Installed them under the spring instead of the rubber pads or with them. A spacer an inch thick would raise the front end maybe 3/4".


billymgb1000
bill gaulin
harrisville R.I.
(74 posts)

Registered:
11/30/2012 12:31AM

Main British Car:
1974 MGB V8 LS1 5.3

Re: spring rubbers for MGB front
Posted by: billymgb1000
Date: February 21, 2014 12:24AM

I needed 2 inches (yea yea yea) anyways when I did my v8 swap I put 2 inch spacers between the car body and the cross member I had to get new bolts but it worked out great , no handeling problems or tire wear in 10,000 miles



Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.