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11 Mar 2008, 08:50 (Ref:2148953) | #1 | ||
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Problems with MGB front springs -HELP
I would be grateful for any help with the problems I am having with my 1969 MGB roadster. It is eating front springs! Is fitted with negative camber kit, competition springs (MOSS) & SPAX telescopic dampers for road use and classic rallies. It is only used for a maximum of 5 monthe per year (up on axle stands when not in use). Average mileage 1,000 miles per year!
PROBLEM: The springs settle out, and the car sits on the bump stops, needing to be changed every other year - any suggestions? |
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 09:19 (Ref:2148974) | #2 | |||
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Quote:
Goran |
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11 Mar 2008, 09:51 (Ref:2148992) | #3 | ||
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The springs are shorter when taken off the car - but I cannot tell you by how much because the details are in my filing cabinet in England, I am in Spain at the moment.
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 09:53 (Ref:2148994) | #4 | ||
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Try buying springs from somewhere else perhaps?
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11 Mar 2008, 09:56 (Ref:2149001) | #5 | ||
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So far have tried springs from MOSS, MGOC, Browns & Gammon, but apparently come from the same source.
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 12:36 (Ref:2149099) | #6 | ||
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I use Eibach race springs and these have never let me down
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11 Mar 2008, 12:41 (Ref:2149103) | #7 | ||
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Whoops, ignore me. I assumed leaf springs, like a fool.
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Dallara F307 Toyota, MSV F3 Cup - Class and Team Champion 2012 Monoposto Champion 2008, 2010 & 2011. |
11 Mar 2008, 13:46 (Ref:2149153) | #8 | |||
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Quote:
your Mr or rate of load , and does also find it strange that a spring fabricated for the car is under dimensioned. However, by knowing the loads and the dimension of the wiring I could have calculated what is needed. In general, you should need a spring that has a larger diameter tread and a few more windings. Then you should have a spring with the same pound per inch rating, but designed for a heavier car. Regards Goran |
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11 Mar 2008, 16:09 (Ref:2149229) | #9 | ||
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What is the difference between the standard springs you removed and the later competition springs you fitted?
Like Goran, unless the new springs are quite a few coils less and made of smaller diameter wire than the standard item, then unless you have drastically increased the loading (by fitting a 15 litre lump e.g.!), there is no way that a new spring could "squash" in such a short amount of use/time. When the new comp. springs were first fitted, was the ride height correct at that time? |
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11 Mar 2008, 16:53 (Ref:2149257) | #10 | ||
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As has been suggested, the springs may be dimensionally incorrect, in which case you will be overstressing them.
Assuming that they are dimensionally correct, loss of free height is most likely due to one of two causes - inferior material or incorrect heat treatment. It would probably be worthwhile getting one of your faulty sets reset & retempered rather than buying again from the same source. |
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11 Mar 2008, 17:42 (Ref:2149285) | #11 | ||
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Hi Goran.The old springs are about 1/2" shorter than when new. I have 4 pairs in the garage. will try Eibek,for replacement springs. Thanks for you comments.
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 17:45 (Ref:2149291) | #12 | ||
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Am going to try Eibach and see if they can help. Thanks
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 17:47 (Ref:2149294) | #13 | ||
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I think all these springs are made of rubbish.maybe in India........
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 17:48 (Ref:2149296) | #14 | ||
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Yes I have e.mailed Eibach to see what they can do. Thanks.
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 17:54 (Ref:2149302) | #15 | ||
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Just had a e.mail back from Eiback. they say they cannot help.
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 18:12 (Ref:2149313) | #16 | ||
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Obtain some standard "B" springs: heat one coil around the top and "Squash" it down by the desired change in ride height.
Try those for a bit and see what happens. If they don't collapse down to the bump stops, the you have your answer. This is how we used to lower the front end of Anglias and Cortinas, before specialised springs became available. |
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11 Mar 2008, 19:05 (Ref:2149359) | #17 | ||
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I don't want to change the ride height, I just want a set of springs that do their job and last more than 1000 miles/2 years before failing. Has no other person had this problem? The car is LHD USA spec. but I can't see that being a problem.
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 19:29 (Ref:2149378) | #18 | ||
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Try asking someone from one of the MGCC race series, I think they have their own forums although the one I belong to is locked for members only.
Other than that it sounds like you are buying crap springs. |
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11 Mar 2008, 19:54 (Ref:2149402) | #19 | ||
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Sadly they are the best I've managed to find and are being sold as competition springs. There must be a specialist dealer in the UK or willing to ship but have been unable to discover one. I was hoping that someone could PM me with an address or offer a solution from a tried and tested method!
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
11 Mar 2008, 20:50 (Ref:2149443) | #20 | ||
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Perhaps a chat with the people at one of the following MGB suspension upgrade companies might provide some insight or possible solutions:
http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/parts/mgbs.../mgbfsusp.html http://www.mgocaccessories.co.uk/aca...ension_31.html http://www.v8register.net/subpages/RV8NOTE208.htm |
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11 Mar 2008, 21:42 (Ref:2149493) | #21 | ||
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What dimensions and rates are the springs? They must be very odd if Eibach can't help.
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Dallara F307 Toyota, MSV F3 Cup - Class and Team Champion 2012 Monoposto Champion 2008, 2010 & 2011. |
11 Mar 2008, 23:31 (Ref:2149600) | #22 | ||
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You may have got a "Can't help because it is not in the catalogue" type of guy
Calculate the stress factor. =(2.545 x R x T x (ID + WD)x((((ID + WD)/WD)+0.2) / (((ID + WD) / WD)-1))) / (WD x WD x WD) (put it into an excel sheet and it is easy!) Where ID is Diam Internal WD is Diam Wire R Rate in N/mm T is Travel in mm If the figure is more than 827 N/mm2/MPA the threshold for "regular" steel has been exceeded I can't tell you what the threshold for other materials are, like the high silicon stuff that Eibach use (but it is higher). At least this should haelp you work out if it is a design issue If you have the ID, WD and number of active coils you can also calculatre the actual rate. |
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12 Mar 2008, 07:24 (Ref:2149747) | #23 | ||
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Thank you d Type quote"Perhaps a chat with the people at one of the following MGB suspension upgrade companies might provide some insight or possible solutions:"
Will contact them with full details. Thanks Notso Swift I will get the calculator dusted off and make my little grey cells work! |
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
12 Mar 2008, 08:42 (Ref:2149777) | #24 | ||
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Why not try these as a starting point?
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/news/news101.html Apparently, £19.95 pair. |
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12 Mar 2008, 08:45 (Ref:2149782) | #25 | |||
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Quote:
Thanks for your last post, will try there as well. By the time I have finished with everyones constructive comments and contacted the links - who knows I may become an expert in spring design. Last edited by LYNX; 12 Mar 2008 at 08:48. |
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"Winning starts with beginning" atr. Robert H. Schuller Jill Carter |
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