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Front and Rear Springs...Repair? Replace?

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boxfullofyertoys

boxfullofyertoys

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I'm in the process of repairing the suspension on my 1500, and after some searching on here, I'm still need some pointers on what I should repair/replace...

Judging by the conditions of the bushings, I think the suspension components are original to the car (1975). I've already purchased all the new (poly) bushings and the shocks are going to be ordered soon from World Wide. I've also got a set of tie rod ends on the way..

My questions:

- Should the front coil and rear leaf springs be replaced as well?
- I've heard that Moss/VB's rear leaf springs are junk...is this still the case? What about the front springs they sell?
- If the car doesn't seem to be sagging from one side to another, is it even worth doing the front and rear springs.
- Some folks on here have suggested re-arching...has anyone had any experience with it? Is it worth it?


Thanks!
 
Actualy your front springs should be fine. The rears I would expect need to be removed and taken apart cleaned and painted and reassembled.

Why do you not have the shocks rebuilt by Peter C?
 
jlaird said:
Actualy your front springs should be fine. The rears I would expect need to be removed and taken apart cleaned and painted and reassembled.

Why do you not have the shocks rebuilt by Peter C?
Click to expand...

Peter C and World Wide Auto Parts are one in the same :smile: https://www.nosimport.com/

I've heard nothing but good things about them...I'm glad I found this forum before I went somewhere else for shocks!
 
Woops, sorry about that, senior moment.
 
Front coils don't seem to have any problems with sagging nearly as much as the rear leaf springs do. Unless you ae wanting to lower the car I'd just leave the fronts in place and concentrate on rebuilding the rears. Unless the car has developed the famous "batchelor lean" and is sitting level I'd just take them apart, clean and paint, and install poly liner between the leaves if it's not there already. Makes the ride better and eliminates inter leaf friction which can also affect the handling a bit. You already have the majority of it covered with the new poly bushings and getting your shocks rebuilt by Peter.
 
The poly liner...what is it exactly? Just shims that go in between the leaves? Is there a preferred place to get them or a certain way to make them?
 
I've used moly filled poly carbonate sheet from Mc Master Carr with good results. Original was just PVC. Not really the right stuff in my opinion. If you rebuild remove just the outer clamps carefully so they don't break. The rest can be slid to the ends. Do one at a time so you have a reference.
KA
 
Can you provide me a link to the moly filled poly sheets? I'm looking on their website and I can't seem to find that specific product in the plastic area. I see glass filled sheets, but I don't think that's correct...

I want to make sure I get the right stuff :smile:
 
I used this stuff specially designed for use in springs. It's a bit wider than necessary for a MG spring, but I just trimmed it down near the clamps and the axle U bolt area to clear and it's worked great for years. From Speedway Automotive in Lincoln, NE https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spring-Liners-with-Lip,2079.html

One roll per side for a 1500 Midget rear spring and there was a bit left over.
 
Hello, there is also a set of new springs on ebay that are cheap for sale. they have never been on the road and they come with the attaching hardware. but I am tooting my own horn here because I am the one selling them,
 
Don't have a catalog handy. A friend ordered the sheet and I may be wrong on the plastic. Know it was molybedenum filled and not PVC.
KA
 
I've put new rear springs in a 73 Midget this year. I had a broken bottom leaf on each side. It was really sitting down in the rear especially after just one person sat in it. It would drop about 2" when we sat in it. The handling was also squirrely if you hit any bumps. I've had no problems with them but they have only been in 3 months. The car hardly drops down now when sat in.
If none of your leaf springs are broken I would do as everyone else suggested and replace liners between leafs and the bushings. The 62 Sprite I have still has the original springs in it but none are broken. I also have a 69 Barracuda with rear leaf springs; the only thing I've ever changed is the bushings.
I'm like everyone else with front springs; change only if you see something really bad or you are going to race it.
 
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