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dampers

I built up the rear end of my chassis over the weekend and have two problems. First is the height of the chassis sitting on the springs. It's so high that The spax damper at its fullest length doesn't stretch between the top and bottom mounting points, also the rebound strap is way short for its mountings. Is this normal behaviour for newly fitted springs on an empty chassis?

Secondly,the build manual mentions a replacement or modified lower mounting bracket for the spax dampers. The spax instructions say to swap the lower brackets from side to side. I did the latter and also followed the spax instructions for the spacer and washers on the bottom, placing the spacer between the swapped bracket and the damper. If the damper was long enough it still won't align vertically so it looks like I need to swap the spacer round.

I would welcome comments about what you guys did when you built yours..


Mick

Re: dampers

Hi Mick, I didn't use spax. I used the standard MGB ones. I did have to get some heavy mates round to compress the rear end while I attached the check straps. Even now they are fully stretched and am hoping that whent the car is finished it will sink a little. I have been advised to fill big containers with water and place in the back of the car to stretch the springs. Other than that I can offer no advice.

Re: dampers

Thanks Peter,

I'm sure I can find some heavy mates

Re: Re: dampers

if your rear springs are new,it could be the paint on them.sounds daft but I had same problem few years ago.
before fitting springs lay them on the garage floor and jump on them a few times.this cracks the paint build up between leafs,you should find they settle into position easier.

Re: dampers

Thanks Nick,

I think it needs something heavy stuck on it for a while, I'm sure it will sag a bit then

Re: dampers

Hi Mick,
Have you had the chassis supported on axle stands and tightened everything up with the suspension "hanging down"? This wouldn't help. Also how many leaves are there in you rear springs? You may find, like mine did, once the body and fuel tank are fitted the whole thing settles to a nice ride height.
Keep us posted
ATB
mark

Re: dampers

Mark,

The springs are 5 leaf. They are starting to settle a little. I think time and weight will bed them down eventually. I'll get the rebound straps on when I can and this should help as much as anything.

Re: Re: dampers

Hi Mick
You will find the springs settle once the body is on. Do not try to attach the check straps until then and, as already mentioned by others, don;t finally tighten the eye bolts until the weight if the car is on the springs. I seem to remember having to use an extra washer or two to get the Spax dampers aligned but I think they reached (just).
Chris H

Re: dampers

Chris,
Thanks - your website mentions replacement brackets at the top and modified brackets at the bottom. Did you not use the existing lower brackets?

Re: Re: dampers

I seem to remember using ones supplied by NG. The only difference being that they have additional brackets for an anti-tramp bar but I am not using them anyway. I think they are otherwise the same as the standard ones.
Chris H