Moss Motors, Ltd

Hi there, I need some help with reassembling the back end of my 1979 Midget, the car is a long, very long restoration project and after a long winter when nothing was done on the car i have finally started to put the rear springs and axle onto the car.

I am having problems getting things to line up,the link assembly wont fit into the shocker bracket, the rebound strap wont reach the top bolt, the diff flange is 4" away from the prop flange.

I can only think that i fitted the rear springs wrongly, does anyone know if the eye bush fits in the eye on the long or short side of the rear spring ( semi eliptical).?

Any help will be welcomed as i am going round in circles.  thanks . Boyscout

This would be easier with pictures, but I'll give it a try. The spring is longer measured from the center bolt to the rear than to the front. The front eye has a rubber and metal bushing that is pressed into the spring leaf, the rear uses rubber bushings that slip into place. It's not unusual for new springs to be arced in such a way that the shock links or rebound straps won't hook up and the rear shackles are difficult to install. I would advise trying this. Install the front bushing and bolt the springs to the body in front, attach the axle housing assembly to the springs with the U bolts and then remove the rear shackle brackets from the body (three bolts on each side) Then you can install the rear shackles and bushings into the rear spring eyes. Get a long bolt that will pass through the body and reach the rear mounting hole in the spring shackle mount and install loosely. This will act as a guide for the shackle plate and keep it in alignment. Either lower the car weight onto the rear or jack up the differential assembly until the springs start to compress and guide the shackle plate slowly into position where you can install the shorter bolts into them and tighten. Then you should have the springs compressed enough to attach the shock links and rebound straps. You may have to add some weight to the rear of the car to get the springs compressed enough without lifting the body, just some weight of some type in the trunk.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

Bill, I am responding to a post answer you gave a while ago, but have been off doing other things for a while. You list a '73 Midget with a V-6. I have a '72, and am interested in that type of upgrade. What engine and trans. combo did you use? Any pictures? Hope you are available for advise. My fuel pump quit last summer and the car has been laid up, too many other irons in the fire. It needs to be restored again, last time was 8 years ago, so I want to go all out.

mgmaniac45@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Don

Don, sorry I didn't respond last month. I've been off this board for a while and missed your post. I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have. More information on my car is on the British V8 Newsletter site at http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillYoung.htm  That should cover most of the information you requested. If there is anything else you can contact me directly at bkyoung@kc.rr.com

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"