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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Spax Rear End

I have a 1275 midget with Spax shockers at the rear. Whilst adjusting my rear brakes I maanaged to dislodge the plastic cover to the shock absorber shaft from its attachment point at the top. It should be simple to slide it back over the top metal "cap" but despite spending a long time trying I have failed. Any tips will be most appreciated

Thanks,

Ray
Ray Rowsell

Ray,

If you have dislodged it downwards so it has come off the cap then it may be hard to refit as if I remember correctly the top closes in so would make it difficult to get back over the cap. If you remove the damper though I think you'll find it quite easy to get the bottom end over the cap and slide it back into place.
David Billington

David,

Thanks for the tip. Removing the shocker did seem the obvious answer when I first realised I had dislodged the cover, but, being Mr super cautious and, despite nearly 50 years of "playing" with cars I was nervous about doing something I don't remember having done before - remove a shock absorber!! However, that's what I did this afternoon. Removal was straightforward although close to the fuel pump. I was unable to easily remove the rubber bushes from the bottom end so I couldn't slip the cover off. However, with the shocker on the bench it was not too much of a fiddle to get the cover back into position. This job reminded me the Spax is adjustable. However, having recently ignored the "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" mantra and regretted it, I decided to leave well alone. Having said that I couldn't resist checking the setting which is about half way between soft and hard - is this what others use?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to my question

Ray
Ray Rowsell

depends on your car, condition and type of suspension, tyres, tyre pressures and your personal taste and type of driving

so it's all to what you prefer really

you have to balance front and rear to get the car feeling and acting good

22psi front and 24 psi rear for normal load and driving is what's in the excellent owners Handbook (every owner should have a copy) - (Ref: 0057) http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

but many owners experiement and have tyre pressures higher to suit them and the car set up

suspension bushes are often overlooked in favour of the sexy subject of shocks

and make sure the U-bolts are tight to locate rear springs to axle to prevent waywardnesss on the road
Nigel Atkins

my rear spax are 2 clicks off the softest, 12 point adjustables IIRC. In my experience, the front must be harder than the back, or all sorts of nasty stuff happens.
Rob Armstrong

my Avo are 2 or 3 clicks off softest, out of 14(?), on both front and rear 1 or 2 more clicks up and is's spoilt for me

I'm a bit vague by 1 click as I can't remember what I left then set on now
Nigel Atkins

Thanks Guys,

It seems mine may be set a little too firm although I cannot say I have noticed any problems with some reasonably spirited driving in the past. I need to confirm the front suspension is standard. Previous owner explained the engine mods but did not mention any changes to suspension. When I have got the MOT out of the way I may try a different setting.

Ray
Ray Rowsell

This thread was discussed between 12/05/2011 and 16/05/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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