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MG MGB Technical - FAO. MG Mike

Mike,

I think I saw in a post from you that you had a problem with the leaf springs from Jones Springs.

Were these the parabolics we were discussing earlier, and if so how was it resolved? I am shortly going to sort out my rear suspension and it would be helpful to know if Jones are a reliable supplier of the parabolics.

Kevin Jackson.
Kevin Jackson

Whilst you wait for Mike, FWIW I spoke to Jones a couple of weeks ago and they were quoting at least two months out of stock on the parabolics due to problems getting the steel.
Steve Postins

Hi Kevin,

Yes these are the parabolics! And it has not yet been resolved.

I've returned the springs to Jones Springs, they have checked them and confirmed that the spring rate is too high, hence why the rear end sits 2" to high on my car. They told me that their machine that puts the taper into the spring was broken and will require several weeks to fix, that was early Jan this year. I telephoned them last week, to find that the machine IS now fixed but they have a 'back-log' of jobs. I think as I have waited since December last year I'd be at the top of this 'back-log' list. The MOT is due in April and I NEED the car to go on holiday at the end of April.

I'm a bit concerned regarding Steve's comments on what Jones Springs have told him "out of stock of steel". That is a different story to what I'm being told. I don't mind the wait if I get top quality springs, but I don’t like bulls**t or being lied to!

For now I'll give them the benefit-of-the-doubt, but I will be asking for a fixed delivery date later this week.

Please keep me posted on your corrispondance with Jones Springs, I'll be hopping mad if they deliver new springs to anyone before sorting me out!

Regards,

Mike.
MG Mike

When I got talking with them about the springs, they did also mention something about the parabolics being awkward to make as they were "right on the lower limit of the machine". Could be a combination of issues there? I might go for standard ones after all.
Steve Postins

MG Mike
I thought parabolics springs were fitted with spacers to fit either above or below the parabolics which meant that the ride height is adjustable both for height and also to equalise rear ride height if required?
Rob.
R J Collier

Your correct Rob, they are fitted with 5 spacers to take the place of the original leaves. Unfortunately, as my springs were too high a spring rate, even on the lowest setting the car was still 2" too high. The 5 spacers (each about 1/8") also allow you to set the ride height level if you have 'one-of-those-cars' that sags one way!
MG Mike

Mike & Steve,

Thanks for the updates, and there I was hoping all our leaf spring problems were solved, lets hope they get their act together asap.

Rob, the spacers are basicly there to adjust the ride height side to side and offer a small amount of raising or lowering although if you stacked them all under the axle you might get about 3/4".

I think that one has to bear in mind that parabolics must be a fairly small part of their turnover and therefore probably not a major priority to them, but I am intending to swap in a narrowed SD1 axle in about a month's time and it would have been nice to do the springs at the same time. This is a temporary way of me getting a 3.07-1 ratio because my friend who has a V8 roadster is putting a B axle with a new 3.07 diff in his car and i'm nicking his SD1 axle and propshaft but donating my propshaft to him.

Were taking both the cars into our helpful mechanic and doing a transplant side by side. It sounds like I'm getting the better deal, but the diff in his axle was mine from a SD1 axle I happened to have lying around, and donated to him after he let his axle run dry of oil and ruined his diff. Hmm that still sounds complicated but I'm sure it will work ok but will give our mechanic cause for thought.

I'll be very pleased to get proper gearing in the car, the 3.9 is useless with the V8, my engine is producing around 200+BHP so 0-30 is about 2-3 secs if I'm being naughty, and with the 3.07 it will make first gear a lot more usable giving 40MPH at 5500RPM and second gear 64MPH Third 95MPH Fourth 133MPH and Fifth a highly theoretical 171MPH! just a cruising gear really but should improve the fuel economy.

I seemed to have digressed but was enjoying myself.

Kevin.
Kevin Jackson

This thread was discussed on 21/03/2007

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