Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

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

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Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4595 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: Moderator
Date: February 10, 2008 04:05PM

You worked hard to get your car nice and level, and then after just five or ten thousand miles it's already settled an inch in the rear. Leaf springs stink, and the currently-available ones are of questionable quality. If you're on a tight budget, or just hate throwing good money after bad (especially if you're saving your pennies for coil-overs...) what are the options for regaining a little rear ride height?

I thought I'd post a couple pics here of my home-made extended spring shackles, and see if anyone has an alternative design or suggestion.

Shackles-A.jpg

Shackles-B.jpg


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4562 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: February 10, 2008 04:59PM

Interesting, Curtis.

Funny, though, I made mine 3/4" shorter. :)


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: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: 74ls1tr6
Date: February 13, 2008 02:10AM

Curtis,

I see you're making good use of your newly aquired mig welder....Nice looking parts to do the job at hand (adapting when needed is always a good thing). I call it Mig-n-grinding. :-)

Calvin
Get Your BritishV8 T-shirt by clicking here


jblanchard@hcpg.net
Jeb Blanchard
Collierville, TN
(53 posts)

Registered:
12/07/2007 01:01PM

Main British Car:
1961 MGA Chevy 4.3 Vortec V-6

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Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: jblanchard@hcpg.net
Date: February 13, 2008 12:36PM

Curtis,

Have you experience with AIRoverLeaf? I'm having problems maintaining rear height, also. Will this solution help with wheel hop or will traction bars be needed also?

www.ridetech.com/catalog/AIRoverLeaf-28-1.html


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

authors avatar
Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: January 17, 2009 03:06PM

Curtis, the rear of my car is 1"- 1 1/2" too high for my tastes. Rather than use lowering blocks, you seem to indicate i can lengthen the rear spring hanger. Would this in effect, lengthen the spring arc and lower the rear? How much would you suggest to drop the R/E about 1"? I suppose the center support is just for rigidity since the hangers are longer . Any measurements or suggestions you could share would help.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4595 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: Moderator
Date: January 17, 2009 03:25PM

Sorry Kelly, but you're thinking backwards. Longer shackles would RAISE your rear even further. I only installed longer shackles because MY springs had flattened-out over the years. In theory, you could try shortening your shackles, but I don't think there's much to be gained there.


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

authors avatar
Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: January 18, 2009 04:42PM

Thanks Curtis, I may just try Carl's procedure. 3/4" may be enough. I guess I can always reverse the main leaf and drop it a little.
SAFETY FASTER!



BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6508 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

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

authors avatar
Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: January 19, 2009 10:39AM

Kelly, 3/4" at the shackle will get you something less than 3/8" at the axle. (the spring is longer to the rear than to the front of the axle) Some have found positioning the front spring eye higher is a good option and the original holes can be used for a traction device.

Jim


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

authors avatar
Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: January 19, 2009 11:00AM

Thanks Jim. every little bit helps. Guess there is "More than 1 way to skin a Cat"
Maybe not PC, but W G A S !


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4562 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: So your leaf springs are starting to sag...
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: January 20, 2009 05:28PM

I did the lowering blocks first, then shortened the shackles 3/4" (can't do much more than that) for a smidge more (got right at 3/8").


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