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MG MGB Technical - removing a leaf in the leaf springs

hi everyone, ive heard a lot about removing a leaf in the rear springs to lower the height and to make the rear softer. does anyone have any experiance in this? if so how do you do it?
Thanks
A P New

There are discriptions regarding dismatling of the leaf springs in order to properly inspect them for cracks etc, or to replace, but to leave one out completely so to speak might be unwise. The conjunction is meant to act together. I guess the specs would change, but the brackets to bind them together would need remanufacturing. If one was out in the middle of nowhere this may be the only option. But with so many aftermarket variants, it is probably not worth it. The single elliptical springs are mentioned often, but I have also heard poor reports. Mike
J.M. Doust

In order to try this, and to give me the easy option of returning it to original, I removed the shortest leaf and, rather than cut it shorter, replaced it with a piece of steel of similar width and thickness but only as long as the spring pad.

It seemed to do both the things you want without overly stressing the spring itself, but I'm not a mechanical engineer, and it might cause the springs to start sagging sooner rather than later.

You could try a spring of a different poundage, especially if you've got a GT. I believe they're greater than a Roadster's.

I've since gone to parabolics in search of a more comfortable ride - old bones!
John Bilham

*Reversing* a leaf has been done to lower the suspension, but removing one would probably be unwise and not something I've heard of before, even if it is the shortest one. Never heard of wanting to soften correct suspension either, most people want to harden, although I can't see the benefit in that either. Changing the dampers is what will soften the ride, however most tubulars seem to be designed for single-leaf or parabolic suspension and are way too stiff with multiple-leaf except on their softest setting. In lowering by removing a leaf you will be hitting the bump stops much more frequently.

What's the problem? New springs fitted and the car now looks like a submissive monkey? RB you want to lower to CB height? Or what?
PaulH Solihull

Paul, alot of the racers remove leaves to soften up the rear. I know this sounds wrong but it does improve the handling on the track. I ran 4 leaf on my MGA. The FIA has parabolic, and another B racer I have also has 4 leaves.

Colin
Colin Parkinson

This thread was discussed between 01/08/2011 and 02/08/2011

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