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Rear springs rebuild

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SteveT

Jedi Hopeful
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Remember the '70s? When we jacked up the rear of the car to look cool? Well, I just completed the nasty job of replacing the rear springs on my '70 MG BGT. Guess what? It looks like a '70 Detroit iron jack up!

Can not even bolt on the rebound strap, off by at least 2" (2" too high). Bought the springs from Victoria British. I've checked the item number a hundred times to be sure it was the right one. According to the catalog, it is!

Anyone have a similar problem? Has anyone ordered from Moss with similar problems? It looks like I am going to have to remove them and start over with the right springs. Any ideas?
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I got mine re-arched and got the same thing!! Make sure that your shackles point back, fill it with gas, and get a jack under the axle and a friend to push down on the corner!! You can do it! I did
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Gary,
I do not understand. The rear shackles have rubber bushes in them. Once the shackle is pointing backwards will it stay? I thought the shackle needed to move forward and backward as the spring compressed and decompressed. What would prevent the rear shackle from moving to the forward position under road conditions? The lower part of the shackles ARE facing forward right now. Sorry for all the questions, but I really do not want to start over, it's a hard job.
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Steve,
When I did my rear suspension the rebound straps did attached OK. I bought my springs and all suspension parts from Brit-Tek. Appear to be excellent quality and you can call them with questions.
Gary
 
Did you put in "rubber bumper" (7 leaf) springs)by mistake?...or did VB send you the later (stiffer) springs by mistake?

This is a pain in the neck job to do a second time (I know!)....if the springs seem OK in all other ways, I'd just buy the "lowering kit" from Moss (long U-bolts and spacers) and simply install that....you can add extra spacers (metal plates) to "tune" it to an appropriate ride height. It's far easier than taking out those springs, and will not cause any real problems.

The alterantive is to have the springs re-arced, but I'm not sure what (new) spring arc radius you should pick.
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Gary and aeronca65t,

I've returned the VB springs. So far, Eric, customer service rep at VB, has been very good. By his account VB knew the springs were wrong very early into the stock. Many returns and complaints; however, they continued to sell them in hopes that a few would work or no one would complain. Ha, they know not who they battle with!
Eric reimbersed me for the springs, shipping cost both in and out.

So, ordered springs from Motorhead in Virginia. Called many different places and visited many different forums on LBCs. Long story short, called Brit-Tek and they said the purchase from Motorhead was correct. Springs are from British Spring LTD, made in the UK and have the number AHC31, I think, stenciled on. I have to believe them at this point. Also, GTs, from my understanding, always used 7 leaf springs.

I'll let you know as I am installing them tonite and tomorrow. I really hope these work! BTW I'm thinking of opening "The LBC Spring Shop!"
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Thanks for all your help and here's to all us LBC loonies!
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