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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - How saggy are my rear springs (Mk1 Midget)

Looking for a reference measurement, hub centre to bottom of rear wheel arch, mine measure 9 1/4" and 9 3/8".

This is with 1/4 elliptics springs and square wheel arches.

Asking because I noticed "grooves" in my bump stops, so I must be bottoming out, not that this is noticeable when driving.

I have Spax telescopic shockers, if this has any bearing on things.
Tim Carter

Tim,

I can't help as I have a frogeye but that has the same bump stops IIRC. Are the grooves running from side to side or front to rear, I'm curious as it indicates what is hitting the stops. I changed mine for the later softer 1/2 elliptic bump stops as they are softer, the early ones I found to be rather solid rubber bricks and wanted something a bit more progressive.
David Billington

Side to side, matching the metal protusions at the top of the arch. When i get a moment I will measure the resting gap in there.
Tim Carter

There is a @ 1" gap between the rubber and the bump stop
Tim Carter

Tim,

1" seems low but I can't really comment as mine is modified but has about 5" overall travel and 2" or a bit more to the bump stop currently.

Why I asked about the groove orientation is it seemed odd you were getting grooves at all, mine didn't have them and a friends mk2 Sprite didn't either as I recall, the bump rubber hitting centrally on the plate on the shell. It might indicate your spring/radius arm bushes are worn or knackered allowing too much rocking of the axle back and forth.

I had the Spax telescopics on the back of mine for about 3 days before removing them as they restricted the droop travel too much and resulted in picking up the inside wheel even at quite slow cornering speeds. Your having 1" upward travel may mean you don't have that issue.
David Billington

No-one with a Mk1 midget or MkII Sprite, a tape measure and 2 minutes ?
Tim Carter

I don’t think they’re are that many people here who own quarter-elliptic cars, unfortunately.
Dave O'Neill 2

On my ‘61 Mk2 Sprite with 1/4 elliptic springs -
From wheel centre to bottom of wheel arch is 9” on both sides.
Bump stop clearance is about 1”
Les
Les Robinson

Thanks Les, so we are either in the same boat, or things/springs are OK
Tim Carter

Tim
Spring dimensions are fine, I’ve had no issues at all in 25 years.
Other than creaking when they get very dry in hot weather, re greasing solves this. Just wish there was a permanent solution - is there one?
Les
Les Robinson

Mine are steeped in waxoyl and oil. Haven't heard anything due to straight through exhaust, but have just fitted new stock exhaust so will see.
Tim Carter

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2025 and 18/08/2025

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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