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MG MG Y Type - Leaf Springs

Hi Folks,

I have just read Neil Cairns' contribution on Y Type rear springs.
He makes mention of the noise reducing properties of the various rubber elements within the rear spring assembly.
That is to say -
the silentbloc bushes,
the inter-leaf rubbers,
the rubber seating pads, sandwiched (top and bottom)between the spring itself and the locating plates.

The article clearly relates to YBs as the YA does not have either of the top or bottom locating plates or their rubber seating pads.

I am aware that the different axle on a YB also has a top and bottom plate in addition to the top and bottom locating plates. The YA has a bottom plate but the top plate welded to the axle

Furthermore if you have to buy new springs, as I have had to, they are not made these days with the inter-leaf rubbers.

I have spoken to Jones' Springs who I understand manufacture springs for most of the current suppliers and have asked why the inter-leaf rubbers are not fitted these days and the answer was 'we just dont do it any more'

Clearly I am keen to reduce noise to the minimum so here are the questions -

has anyone fitted YB type locating plates and/or rubber seating pads to a YA. Is this technically possible/safe

has anyone gone to the trouble of fitting inter-leaf rubber pads to new springs.

if anyone has....was it worth it.

Thanks for staying with me on this one.

Regards

Rob King
Rob King

I never new the YA and YB rear springs were any different. I have fitted new rubber pads between the leaves of a spare pair of YB rear springs after I dismantled a pair of springs from an old YB, cleaned them up and replaced mine with them (mine were sagging too much). All seems OK but I think you need to check that the YA/YB were different or whether it was just a variation on a theme, as it were. As far as I am aware you can get the rubber pads from NTG and other suppliers so if they were there new get your spring reconditioner to fit them for you.
D MULLEN

Hi Dave,

As far as I know the leaf spring itself is the same on the YA and YB, Its just the assembly of parts in the 'U bolt sandwich' that differs.
I guess that this is partly to accommodate the different axle.

Its clear that when the YB was developed they took the opportunity to upgrade and make improvements to the previous model. So if the addition of locating plates and rubber seating pads is an improvement then I would like to fit them.

I cant see any technical reason why this cannot be done, but I'm sure there's someone out there who's tried it?

In relation to the 'inter-leaf' rubbers - to fit them to my NEW springs I will need to disassemble and drill 24 6mm holes AND pay NTG about £60 for the 24 rubbers.....

will I be wasting my time?

Regards

Rob
Rob King

While working on a Y/T a couple of years ago, I installed a new pair of TD springs that I had. They fit perfectly and had extra leaves that the Y/T certainly benefited by.
Also, the American hot rod suppliers have Teflon tape and pucks to insert between spring leaves.
Silicone sprays and pastes will lubricate and extend the life of rubber strips and bushings. I use a Flourosilicone valve lubricant on shackle bushings. It protects against water, chemicals, ozone, UV, oils and greases, road salt, etc. and lasts forever.
On grease lubricated leaf springs, use a Moly assembly paste. Apply a thin layer and work it into the clean steel. Repeat. The more times you repeat the longer lasting the result. Finish off with a visible layer on each surface before assembling the leaves. Assembly paste helps greatly when pressing bearings or bushings and 'Speedi-Sleeves' into place, and inside as a boundry lubricant for run in. This is the gray paste that comes with new camshafts.
S.R. Barrow

This thread was discussed on 18/02/2011

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