BN1 sitting lower at left rear - I'm told that's normal - really?

[Crowbar]

Hello all,

I purchased an early 1954 BN1 about a year ago, and have noticed that the left rear of the car is sitting a bit lower.

When I put the car up on the lift, the left spring does seem slightly de-arched at the left front shackle...

However, when I called a recent Healey parts supplier here in the U.S. I was told that this is normal - "it's just the way the cars are sprung", and the proprietor told me this was confirmed many years ago in a discussion with Geoff Healey...apparantly this has nothing to do with the driver being on the left, as the same phenomenon is present in RHD cars in Britain apparantly.

I'm a bit suspicious - is this true? I was planning on replacing the rear leaf's - but this may not solve the problem.

Any input from those in the know would be appreciated.

 

[John Turney]

Since the left and right springs are the same part, I expect that they should be level.

 

[steveg]

Crowbar - before buying new springs, you could swap them and see if the problem follows.

When I got my car, the bumper mounts were slightly crooked, giving the car the appearance of being lower on one side. That was more of an optical illusion than actually being lower.

 

[HealeyRick]

Google "Bachelor's Lean" and you'll find it's a common problem with LBCs. Unfortunately, there's a lot of disagreement over the cause and solution. New springs have worked for some while others have had good luck using spacers on the front spring on the same side of the car with the low spring, figuring it will load the opposite side rear spring and bring up the low rear spring.

 

[Keoke]

Crowbar said:
" when I called a recent Healey parts supplier here in the U.S. I was told that this is normal "

NO !

T.he previous owner was either overweight or never had a passenger in the car.

 

[glemon]

My Sprites did it, Healey 100 did not, just drove and MGB that was about 1.5" low. It happens, some springs seem more prone to sag than others, cheap solution swap sides and hope theyou sag to match, more expensive option new springs on both sides and hope the driver's side doesn't sag again.

They were not "built that way" (if anything such engineering would logically have the drivers side higher/stiffer, not lower) but they often get that way. Rusty old parts can make the job a bit of a bear if the springs have been on a while.

 

[Crowbar]

My Sprites did it, Healey 100 did not, just drove and MGB that was about 1.5" low. It happens, some springs seem more prone to sag than others, cheap solution swap sides and hope theyou sag to match, more expensive option new springs on both sides and hope the driver's side doesn't sag again.

They were not "built that way" (if anything such engineering would logically have the drivers side higher/stiffer, not lower) but they often get that way. Rusty old parts can make the job a bit of a bear if the springs have been on a while.

So I replaced both springs with 7 leaf replacements from Dennis Welsh (previous springs were Moss).

The left lean is reduced - but not gone. Where before I had an almost 2 inch difference between the left and right, now I have about a .75 inch difference. It may be a frame issue (twisting), who really knows, but things look better, and I'm probably the only one who notices it - though it does drive me nuts!

So here's a crazy thought...

I may try shimming the left rear spring between the spring itself and the wedge-shaped "packing" piece. I've ordered some flat "packing" pieces from the 3000 that I may try to cut to fit.

My only concern is that I may not have enough thread left on the U-bolts to get them back on with the packing in place...we shall see.

 

[RAC68]

Hi GC,

As many have indicated, the perception of an uneven stance is often accentuated by the way panels are applied to the Healey's semi-monocoque inner structure and can present a frustrating condition when trying to even up the stance of the car. Add to this condition the fact that the Healey's springs are not the greatest and are often weakened by age, torque, and fact that the driver is most commonly the only one in the car and you have your condition.

Renewing springs is a good step forward, however, often raises the car far higher then appropriate at first. Settling to a proper height often take a number of months but sometimes continues before coming to rest. A block can be placed between the axel housing and spring but this will lower the car as the rear is mounted above the spring and not, as in other cars, below. To even out your stance, and with the new springs providing sufficient height, I would place an appropriately sized block on the high side to lower the body until an even distance is presented between the rear fender openings and the ground.

The block selected will not be as large as the difference between the fenders first measured and you will need to experiment to find an appropriate block thickness to use when lowering the high side. I would use different blocks of wood until I was satisfied and then replace the wood with a block of hard rubber. Driving the car short distances between fittings would allow the suspension to settle to get a good measurement between sides.

My thoughts,
Ray(64BJ8P1)

 

[Crowbar]

Ray...many thanks!

I was going to shim the low side...but now that I think about it you're absolutely right - shimming the low side will only lower that side more. You've saved me hours of work! I'll plan in shimming the high side! The difference between the two sides is about 1"...I'll try and start with .5". Frankly I don't know that the stock u-bolts will allow anything more than that.

Now...I wonder where I can get the hard rubber material for the shim. I was thinking of using wood - but that seems just too "bodged" for my liking. Any advice on where to source the rubber?

Again Ray, thanks!

 

[BN2guy]

Hi Crowbar -

For a source of rubber material, try McMaster-Carr at www.mcmaster.com

Good Luck!

Bill

 

[British_Recovery]

Something solid, like an aluminum plate, might be better, since there will be no real compression.

 

[red57]

I agree with British_Recovery. Those ubolts need to be really tight and I don't think want a compressible material, could cause rear axle movement and/or come loose after a while. I've never seen a car with something compressible between the spring saddle and the spring.

 

[glemon]

Since you have replaced the springs and still have a sag I would take a close look at the front suspension as well, raising tbe front right would lower the left rear, etc. And vice versa, so if the back is off the front is likely off too, unless the frame is in fact tweaked, bent, or compromised in some way.

 

[Lutz Kramer]

My BJ8, which I drive in Germany, is a RHD. Without the driver both sides have the same hight. When I sit in the car (!on the right driver side!) this side is about 2" lower. Since most cars in the states are LHD it is commen that usually the left side is lower but I would guess not because for structural reasons but rather for the springs that became weaker due to the fact that they had to carry more weight over 40-50 years.

I will find out next winter when I will replace all (4) springs.