MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Midland Sport & Classics leaf springs

Good afternoon all,

I'm looking for some new rear leaf springs for my '66 BGT (current ones are sagging, a bit lopsided and pretty rusty), so thought I'd look into some with poly bushes. Have now read in, hadn't realised what a can of worms it is!!

I have read previous threads on here (and elsewhere), so don't want to have you all rehearse the old pros and cons (although feel free if you enjoy it!!), but I thought I'd ask one simple question:

Has anyone in here ever fitted springs from Midland Sports & Classics Ltd in Stourport, Worcestershire? They have been around for 20 years and manufacture them themselves (per their website), but I don't know the company at all. Their prices are competitive (which could well be because they manufacture in house), but I thought I'd ask in here in case anyone knows them.

Many thanks,

Piers
Piers Colver

I bought mine front and rear springs from Midlands Sports an Classics about 15 years ago. Both settled a bit but the front particularly badly. I replaced the front with rubber bumper spec springs which have settled a little to just the right height and stiffness (I don't know for certain where I had these from, but could have been MSC). When I bought the rear springs I was told they were made locally in the Black Country. The rears are still better than the 30 year old springs I took off but could probably do with being a little higher to match the front. The car looks to be low at the back when 2 up with luggage and a full tank.
I live in Worcestershire but don't deal with MSC because they don't do counter service anymore and they have a minimum order price. I can get to David Manners more quickly anyway up the M5 and they are cheaper.
Paul Hollingworth

Piers, I would explore getting your springs re-set. Some of the stuff, like many other parts unfortunately, are of poor quality. Probably poorly produced and heat treated steel. Your old ones, even given a touch of rust, will be better quality steel.
Given the number of Series Land Rovers in your neck of the woods, there must be firms offering this service.
Allan Reeling

Thank you for those thoughts, both of you.

Allan I would, but my springs are really looking pretty deceased, I think they're beyond saving, really.

I am wondering whether the MGOC springs might be of a more reliable quality, but having heard horror stories I'm slightly unsure about which way to jump!!
Piers Colver

Out of interest where does it say that MS&C manufacture them?

Originally they were made in Bridgnorth in Shropshire but that was many years ago, ending when they were bought out and production was moved up north. However there was a hiatus as they didn't have the expertise, and ever since then there have been the same sort of problems that America has been having with Chinese springs i.e. way too hard and/or arched.

I've not used them but GB Springs in Birmingham quote the OE part numbers and 'Heritage' but whether that includes endorsement by BMH I don't know, they don't list them themselves.

Front springs are very iffy, different heights on the counter, and even when you get a matching pair they settle to different positions whereas the originals (on mine) didn't.
paulh4

On an episode if Car S O S the other week, which is based in the West Mids, they had leaf springs re built and that included replacing a leaf or two. So I would presume they have the specs and and steel and could do the job. Not sure who they were but a Google would probably turn them up. There is also a firm near Blackburn who manufacture both coil and leaf springs.
Allan Reeling

For coil springs I have used this company in Sheffield, the ones they supplied for my SD1 Vitesse many moons ago were spot on and gave correct Vitesse ride height when compared to standard SD1 everyone else was trying to flog me. http://www.coilsprings.co.uk/
Not sure about leaf springs, they seem too cheap to me to be honest, buying new ones for my XJ Cherokees has been an eye opener for prices!

Peter
Peter Burgess Tuning

Which episode (car), Allan? For some reason my Tivo box hasn't been recording this latest series and I've only just discovered it. Fortunately still available via cable.
paulh4

Good morning all,

Paul - I'm sorry I can't find where I read that they manufacture themselves. It was on another forum, I think, but having looked at their website again it must be nonsense as presumably if they were the manufacturer they would trumpet it. Thank you for catching that.

Peter - thank you, and yes I thought them cheap, but then the MGOC ones are only £10 or so more expensive, and I would assume (perhaps rashly..?) that they are of a sensible quality, as MGOC wouldn't want to be putting substandard stuff out there, and we collectively take the 'MGOC endorsed supplier' stamp seriously. Or am I just being naive?

I had no idea that such a basic thing as leaf springs would be such a minefield!! you'd think I'd know better by now.
Piers Colver

Piers, I've had some poor quality product from MGOC, hence I am doubtful as to whether they always find a source of the best quality products.
Paul, not sure which episode it was but probably the Austin "Tilley" one.
Allan Reeling

Thanks Allan, I did see that one and vaguely remember something about springs, I'll have to revisit.

As for the MGOC I've had some poor stuff from them as well. But not as bad as somewhere not a million miles from them, I shan't Bee (sic) going there again!
paulh4

Hi all, new member here.
I bought some leaf springs and a rear gaz shock conversion kit from MSC 5 years ago for my ‘70 GT and must say i’ve been pleased with the result, both ride height and performance.
I updated the front roll bar to 3/4” and kept lever shocks and original springs on the front and 3,000 Km’s later the car handles better than I could have imagined.
In fact i’ve Just recommended the MSC rear leaf spring kit to a friend of mine this weekend.
A Knight

This thread was discussed between 17/04/2018 and 01/05/2018

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now