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sagging suspension

Posted by Midgie Man

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sagging suspension #1
Midgie Man Robert Buick Portland, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 12:43AM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 8

Hello all, new member here with a new 72 and quick quesiton.

My 72 Midget suspension is sagging. The drivers side (LHD) sits 1" lower than the passenger side. I see no issues with the front or rear springs. The front shocks need to be replaced (2 1/4 bounces to settle) however I have no experience with lever shocks in the rear (1 bounce to settle) but suspect they are functioning fine. I would appreciate any feedback to ensure I am inspecting and addressing the correct items before I begin ordering parts from World Wide Auto (discovered them thanks to this forum).

And just to keep replies focused, I plan on keeping the rear lever shocks for now.

Thanks in advance for you help,
Buick

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Re: sagging suspension #2
AmishIndy Seth Jones Wheaton, IL, USA 1971 MG Midget MkIII "Guenevire" 2007 Mazda 3 "Porco Rosso"	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:22AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 3,078

Typically we drive our cars without a passenger so over time this happens. I would try simply rotating the springs left to right both front and rear and see if that helps any. I did that witha friends car and it helped.

Seth Jones

1971 MG Midget

www.SpridgetGuru.com

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Re: sagging suspension #3
mustang Robert Ebersol Jackson,MI, USA 1974 MG Midget "Working On One"	Posted: July 11, 2012 06:28AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 84

Yeah mine got that from sitting a year with no door seat or fender on the pass side and about a 100 pounds in the trunk.

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Re: sagging suspension #4
200mph Mike J Lake Norman, NC, USA 1965 Ford Ranchero 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite 1967 MG MGB 1969 Austin-Healey Sprite 1974 MG MGB → more	Posted: July 11, 2012 11:04AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 3,975

Your car has what is typically called "bachelor lean"... its what happens to LBC's after many miles of only one person on board.

Your shocks are not part of the problem... shocks "dampen" the spring action up and down, but they do not (should not) contribute to the static ride height.

Seth's suggestion is a good place to start, and shouldn't be too hard to do if the bolts and nuts aren't all rusted.

Block the front tires so the car can't roll. Putting the car in gear or setting the e brake won't help because the rear will be off the ground.

Take some measurements... such as floor to center of the wheel well arch, or top edge of wheel rim to wheel well arch, or floor to top of the fender at wheel centerline.

Put the body on jackstands so the rear tires are off the ground. Remove rear wheels for access, then support the rear end on jack stands inboard of the springs.

Remove the U-bolts both sides, then place your floor jack under the center section of the rear end. Raise the rear end slightly to clear the springs and reposition the jackstands to hold it up.

Now you can remove the springs without having to disconnect the driveshaft or rear brakes. Mark one spring so they dont get mixed up during the swap.

I would support the rear half of the spring with your floor jack, and remove the rear brackets from the body first. Slowly lower the floor jack to remove any spring tension, and repeat on the other side. Then I think its easier to remove the spring from the bracket. I'd do both rear mounts, then move to the fronts.

Inspect both springs for broken leaves, make sure the bushings are good, and remount in reverse order.

If unsuccessful, you'll need to replace the springs.

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Re: sagging suspension #5
Midgie Man Robert Buick Portland, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 02:21PM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 8

Seth,

Great suggestion... and cheap too, just the way I like it.

Thanks,
Buick

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Re: sagging suspension #6
Midgie Man Robert Buick Portland, USA	Posted: July 11, 2012 02:23PM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 8

Mike,

I appreciate the detailed how-to, it will be very helpful for me and the boys.

Thanks,
Buick

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