Rebound Strap - What is its' purpose?

[Guest]

Hi - I have restored many 1950s & 1960s Fords and helped a friend restore 55 thru 57 Chevies and I have never seen any rebound straps on a rear axle. What is the purpose of the rebound strap? I have just replaced the rear leaf spring shackles, shackle rubber bushings, & leaf spring rubber seating pads. I saw the rebound straps and wondered why MG installed them on the Midget. I would be interested to learn what they are designed to do. Thanks.

 

[GB1]

When you jack the car up it holds the axle up.

Patrick

 

[tony barnhill]

Also keeps the rear end from springing too far down during movement/at speed.

 

[BWillis]

Its nothing mystical. The main purpose as Tony tated is to limit the travel of the rear end during extreme travel without impacting or modifying the suspension geometry. Its a simple cheap alternative to a torsion bar configuration.

HTH

 

[JerryB]

I'll throw out my thoughts here and hazard a guess that with the lever shocks there could be shock damage in severe droop(rear end raising) so as to damage the casting or the shock link. I have noticed with the lever shocks at full travel (bump or droop), that there is a binding and a knot caused by no stops in the shock internally.

Idea "B" might be that the Managing Director at the factory had a relative that owned the Birmingham Strap Company.

 

[PeterC]

Idea "C" is that the propshaft in the tunnel can hit the bottom of the tunnel without a restraint. Ever see that dent?

But, I do like "B"

Peter

 

[SilentUnicorn]

D) keeps your rear axle attached when all the springs break..


mark

 

[Baz]

[ QUOTE ]
Idea "C" is that the propshaft in the tunnel can hit the bottom of the tunnel without a restraint. Ever see that dent?

[/ QUOTE ]

Every time I look underneath, wished I had a strap....

 

[zimmy]

theyre only like $10!.......z

 

[Baz]

I fixed the leaf springs = no bounce, but the dent is a scar from no strap.