MG MGA Twin Cam Workshop Manual page 125

I
THE REAR ROAD S PRINGS
G£1\ERAL D ESCRIPTIO :"\"
The ._.,mi-cllipti<: leaf springs provided for the rear
'"'pension a~ secured beneath the rear axle by
·u·
bolls.
The front ends of the springs are anchored in flexing
rubber bu,hos and the rear ends arc mounted on 'imt lar
bu•h~
in swinging shackles.
Rubber pads are filled between the spring and tho
axle.
Section 1.1
REMOVAL OF REAR ROAD S PRL"'GS
Rai>c: the rear of the
car
and support the chassis with
a
•ling auachcd to the
rear
bumper bolts. or channdkd·
out or -.ell-padded wood blocks
forw:~rd
of the rear
springs. Support the a. d .: on a suitable stand.
Rcmo": the
·u·
clip locknuts and nut. and dri•c
up the clips to rclea.c the h)draulic damper anchor
plntc. alw removing the spring clamp plates and rubbers.
Remove the rear shacklt-s and front anchor pin and
the spring.
Section
1.2
OIS MAI\'TUI'G AND REASS£ \<18LING
THE
S P RINGS
Rcmo~e
the locating plates and rubber pads.
Rcmo•c the
loc~nut.
nut, and distance piece from the
spnng centre boll: this
,.,;u
release
the three bolt om
ka•es. 1ltc remaonong lea•·es are part<;<! b) pnS~ng open
the chps on
Nos. 3
and
4
leaves.
Clc:.n c:.ch leaf, and examine for cracks or breakage.
Check the centrc·boll for wear or distortion. This boll
forms the locahon for the <pring on its axle pad and
'hould be in good conditio n.
/.4
IMPORTA.YT.-\Vbm filli. o g new
~a•·es
it is importaDI
tllat tbey are or tbe con-eel
ltogth
aod tbi<:koess,
and
hue the same "urvature as the
rm~ainiog
leaves.
It
is advisable, even when no leaves are broken. to fit
replac::ement springs when the originals have lost th<ir
camber d ue to settling.
Reassembling
The springs should be assembled clean , dry, and free
from any lubricant, unless they are liberally coated with
Shell Ensis 260 Fluid .
Plac::e tbe leaves together in their
correct
o rder,
locating them with the crntre·bolt.
The dowel head of the bolt must be o n top of the
spring. Replace the distance piece: and damp the leaves
together.
Knock do"o the spring clips to clo.c 6rml) rouod the
main leaf.
Befor~
replacing the shackle bolts, bushes, and shackle
plates they must be inspected for "car and, if nec~sary,
replaced by new components.
Before tightening the s pring bolts it is absolutely
essential that the normal "orking load be applied to the
springs
so
that the Hexing rubber bushes
are
deflected to
an
eqWII
extent
in
both dlr~>elions during sen·ice. Failun
to take this precaution
"ill
inetitably lead to early
deterioration of tbe bushes.
Section 1.3
MAI:\TE. ~ANCE
OF n i E REAR S PRil\GS
As the rear springs are mounted in rubber, spra}ing
with oil should be strictly avoided.
The only attention required is an occasional tightening
of the spring seat bolts to make sure that they a re quite
tight.