advice needed on replacing rear leaf springs - mgb gt (74)

[Neil Cudd]

Hi all,
I have a 74 mgb gt - last of the chrome bumbers.

I'm replacing leaf springs cos I don't think they're gonna make it
through the next mot and I figure I can spruce up that area of the
underside while I'm scrambling around under there ... anyhoo ...

I can't get past the first hurdle :
undoing the bolt that attaches the lower link arm of the rear
suspension to the plate at the bottom centre of the rear leaf spring.

At the end of the link arm of the rear suspension unit there is a ball
and from that ball is a threaded extension (at a right angle to the
link arm) going into the plate and that has the nut that I'm trying to
undo.

But when I turn (and turn and turn and turn) with a spanner, the
threaded portion of the link arm just turns in the ball.

Is this normal ? if so, any advice as to how I stop that extension
spinning so I can undo the bolt ?

Hope this all makes sense ...

Thanks in advance,
Neil

[Poptop]

Yes Neil - it is normal behaviour for that particular bolt.

I bought a cheap pair of vice grips and ground the jaws down so that I could
clamp them on to
the small flange between the ball joint and the mounting plate.

Another way is to use a nut splitter to split the nut, or you may be able to
split the nut with a
hammer and a very sharp cold chisel - but I havn't tried that way.

Cheers

.

"Neil Cudd" <neil...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c383bf60-34cc-49dc...@d42g2000prb.googlegroups.com...

[Poptop]

Or you could go to www.mgcars.org.uk
Register (free) and search the archives on rear spring replacement.

There are instances of difficulties fitting leaf springs and solutions
there.

Cheers

[Neil Cudd]

On 5 Nov, 19:32, "Poptop" <Pop...@Poptop.mail> wrote:
> Or you could go towww.mgcars.org.uk

Thanks very much for your advice.
Neil

[Kevin Hall]

My '70 B-GT is also in need of new rear springs, but I've heard mixed
reviews of springs currently available. Over here in Canada there are some
advertised as being British-made, and some with no indication of origin but
much lower prices. That suggests they are offshore knock-offs, and I've
heard complaints about consistency with those.

Is there any way to differentiate between the Brit and 'mystery' springs,
or does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
KH

"Neil Cudd" <neil...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c383bf60-34cc-49dc...@d42g2000prb.googlegroups.com...

[Barrym]

On 6 Nov, 18:05, "Kevin Hall" <timberl...@webhart.net> wrote:
> My '70 B-GT is also in need of new rear springs,  but I've heard mixed
> reviews of springs currently available.  Over here in Canada there are some
> advertised as being British-made,  and some with no indication of origin but
> much lower prices.   That suggests they are offshore knock-offs,  and I've
> heard complaints about consistency with those.
>
> Is there any way to differentiate between the Brit and 'mystery' springs,
> or does anyone have any suggestions?

Although not directly linked to springs I have had recent experience
in getting new shocks for my '72 BGT. While in no way wishing to be
seen as 'recommending' them my experience with Moss has been very
good. I hadn't realised that there were so many 'after market'
options for shocks, and assume that the retro fitted parts, an upgrade
on the originals, which were now worn out could just be replaced....
Oh no, there were a number of small variations which were very
important, particularly concerning the fixings to the body. Moss
personnel were most helpful and saved me a lot of anguish.

The bottom line for me is that it is better to buy from a recognised
dealer.

Bye, Barry

[Kevin Hall]

Thanks Barry. Already did the Spax conversion.
KH
"Barrym" <barry...@tfpl.com> wrote in message
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