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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Suspension Spring Rubber

I'm currently fitting poly bushes to the front suspension of a 1500 and have a query regarding a round rubber part that the top of the suspension spring rests against that was connected to the underside of the car.

The rubber part as per the below photo needs replacing but I cannot find it on any of the suspension breakdowns, could anyone please confirm if the part should be fitted to the car as its unusual not to find on any of the normal breakdowns, if it is correct has anyone please got a part no.

Thanks
Tim





Tim Lynam

Well

That's an oddity to me right off... I'm not able to visualize it at the moment

Can you be a bit more detailed as to its placement and the scale of its size

Any chance this is the rubber blob that the lever arm of the shock sits on top of... (normally trianglur and bulbous shaped)

Prop
1 Paper

It may well have been added incorrectly, the coil spring sits against the rubber part, I presume its been fitted to protect the underneath of the car wing that the coil spring rests against.

Should the spring rest directly against the underneath of the wing without any rubber protector?

Tim
Tim Lynam

Better pic below showing the rubber part on top of the spring.

It may have been fitted incorrectly by PO.

Tim



Tim Lynam

I think it's someone's modification, as used in some 'moderns'. It looks to me very much like the rubber seat support used in some Citroen / Peugeot cars.
GuyW

Not a usual fitment.

IIRC your car is the very early 1500 with only one jacking point.

I wonder if it was Abingdon's first attempt at raising the ride height?

Probably not, but you never know.

Can you measure the free length of the spring and post here?
Dave O'Neill 2

I under stand where your at now

I'm not sure on the 1500s but I also think this is someone else's modification

It could be the spring is weak or it's a 1275 spring or the P.O. was trying to lower the suspension of as you suggest locate the spring from movement

The 1500 used Haier front springs because of the extra weight from the rubber bumper

Malc will know for certian he is our resident 1500 guru

Prop
1 Paper

Dave,

I wouldn't have thought it was Abingdon's first attempt at raising ride height as My Austin A40 Farina had 1/4" alloy discs fitted between the spring and wishbone. I removed them and generally lowered the car.
David Billington

Thanks all for the confirmation that the part is not standard, when I first bought the car several years ago the front of the car was far too high so I fitted shorter springs, looks like it’s going to be even lower if the rubber parts are not re fitted.

Dave O’Neil you have got a good memory remembering the cars a very early 1500 with a bit of a mix between 1275 & 1500 parts and now a couple of added bits from something else.
Tim Lynam

Yes, it's amazing what you remember.

Now, where did I leave the car keys?
Dave O'Neill 2

I've had something tickling the back of my mind about this and I finally remembered.

40-50 years ago Exchange & Mart used to advertise "spring assisters" which were rubber wedges you were supposed to poke in between the coils of "tired" springs. But there were also things rather like what you have found Tim. If I remember correctly they were meant to get rid of creaky noises from the spring seats. I never saw them except as a sketch in the advert, but I wonder if that's what these things are.

Just speculation....

(if that's what they are hang on to them. They're a genuine museum piece haha).
Greybeard

I reckon you could be correct, they must have been on the car for many years as they were on the car when it was last sprayed years ago and look pretty worn out.

Will see if they are missed when the suspension goes back together without them.
Tim Lynam

RE: one of the comments above, the ride height was actually raised to bring the headlights up to the level required by US regulations. Recall the headlight modification to later E-Types... same reason.

Cheers,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

The early 1500 used the same front springs as the later 1275 with the new cross member providing the extra height.

The springs were 9.85" free length and same rate of 271 lb/in (these figures and terms stay in mind from my front springs adventure).

Prop was thinking of the rear springs.

Later the 1500 springs were longer at 10.2", still 271 lb/in.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 26/12/2017 and 28/12/2017

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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