Lean back

[jcatnite]

About 3K miles ago, I thought I corrected my leaning 76 Midget. It had the usual sag in the left rear. So I put new bushings in the rear. Swapped springs around, etc. etc. etc. While that helped some, it didn't take it all away. What I think made it much better was when I rebuilt the front suspension. I also swapped front springs to move the "weaker" one to the passenger side. Anyway, flash forward to 08 and the lean is back with a vengence. I am almost a full inch lower at the fender arch on the drivers side than the passenger. I lifted her up and checked all the bushings, made sure the shackles weren't binding or bent and then decided to get drastic. I made some 1/2" spacers and put them between the spring pan and the A arm on the passenger side. This gave me about 3/8" back but I'm still off a quite a bit. I guess my question is this. I'm planning mount a set of chrome bumpers and grill from a 69 sprite on her. But I'm keeping the 1500 lump for obvious reasons. I'm thinking about new springs from VB for the front. I would like to get it closer to the ride height of the chrome bumper cars as well. Does anyone have experience with new coil springs from VB? I will probably go with poly bushings this time as well if I take it all apart again.
JC

 

[Jim_Gruber]

I went through 3 sets of springs before they sent me the right thing. What was supposed to be for a Mark IV Srite when I put it on the car made Bugsy look like he had an off road setup. Ride was almost 1 1/2" too high in the front. Ended up with Springs supposedly for a BE in order to get any kind of normal ride height. This one is tricky.

 

[jcatnite]

I'm also concerned about the lever arms. I have a nice set of PeterC rebuilt front shocks. I'm wondering what that is going to do to the camber when I drop it. I was thinking the spring height and weight ratings were the same for all the chrome bumper cars as well as the bugeye. Perhaps not...Anyone have any stats on this? I know the RB springs are 9.8" height and the later CB cars are supposed to be 9.4 inches. Not sure if the BE's are different though.
JC

 

[George Zeck]

JC -

I think I would call Peter C and run the issues by him. He's the suspension expert. I've talked with him numerous times and is extremely knoledgeable on these issues.

GJZ

 

[PeterC]

JC,
First, 948 and 1098 springs are the same. Then 1275s, then 1500s. The stock length in the same order is 9-5/8, 10, and 10-1/4
Second, the camber shouldn't change, I don't think, so long as the mounting of the shock and of the A-frame remain the same. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. To change camber would require the distance between the 2 pivot points to inctease to increase negative camber.

Peter C

 

[jcatnite]

Wow,
Thank Peter. Guess I had my data wrong. I pulled it from the British Leyland shop manuals. Anyway, that gives me a place to start. I am totally uncomfortable with the spacers between the spring pan and the a-arm. I went to take a rather spirited turn at a country intersection today and chickened out. I kept seeing those little 5/16 bolts snaping.
In my mind, the lever arm was traveling up because the a-arm was traveling up with the lowered spring height. That was why I was asking about the camber problems. Just went out and looked at it. I was having trouble getting my head around the whole arc deal. Anyway, I think I'll be going for the bugeye springs. That will bring me down almost an entire inch. Now next question, is that going to ruin my chances with minilites...lol
JC

 

[PeterC]

JC, The spring info came from Moss, and it may reflect what is current (as of a few years ago).


Minilites....... send 'em to me, and you wont have to worry.


Peter

 

[jcatnite]

Oh I don't have them yet but I can dream big... Looking at the sumitomo HTR 200. I was hoping for 205/60HR13 but can settle for 175/70HR13. Either of those would keep the speedometer pretty close. I wanted some Yokohama A539 but it is to find them over here. I think I want these wheels.
JC

 

[drooartz]

That's quite the wheel. I like that look a lot!

 

[George Zeck]

JC -

Where you getting the minilite's from? They look sharp. Thinking of those (although am literaly waiting on FedEx for a new weber setup).

Tx-

George

 

[Jim_Gruber]

I put the lowering kit on Bugsy my '68 and as long as you are careful negotiating speed bumps and curbs. It did make a difference in handling. Would I do again, probably not. Got to be really careful or you'll tear off the exhaust pipe. Mine has some good dents in it. The fact that I don't have the transmission exhaust pipe supprt bracket allows pipe to move around when I enouunter speed bumps if I anm too aggressive with speed.

 

[jcatnite]

Thanks Jim I'll keep that in mind.
George, those minilites pop up on eBay from time to time. Look for the screenname mgbreaker. He sells them. I think others on this forum have used him.
BTW my chrome bumpers came in today...yeah.
JC