John,
If the rebound strap is taught while the car is sitting on all fours, they are
too short - or - your new springs are too high. Either way, the rebound
straps will not last very long in the uptight state. Perhaps the new springs
will relax after some time and until then you may want to consider using
rebound straps from a RB car which are an inch or so longer than CB straps.
Don't forget to use anti seize compound on those rebound strap nuts!!!
Dr. Doug
This space still for rent
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net On Behalf Of John J. Peloquin
Sent: Monday, February 02, 1998 1:56 PM
To: WSpohn4@aol.com
Cc: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Lowering
Dear Netters,
I recently replaced the rear leaf springs on my 1970 MGB-GT with new
stock GT springs. While I had the thing apart, I checked my lever
shocks- they provided little resistance to movement and thus had little
shock absorbing capability. My choices were to buy new/rebuilt lever
shocks or try one of the conversions. I opted for the latter on the rear
as it was MUCH cheaper than buying the lever shocks and I would still be
able to go right back to the original stock situation within a couple of
hours. At any rate, I installed new rebound straps and I think they may be
too short. The rear end is only a couple of inches higher than it was with
the old flat tired springs. It also may be that the straps stretch a bit
over time giving a little more height in the back. I'm not that tall (5'
10" on a good day) and I find it hard to see clearly out of the back
window unless I slouch down a bit from my most comfortable seating position
as the rear end seems to be to still be a bit low. I've left the front end
completely stock.
Any of you care to comment on this?
BTW, I like the tube shock conversion so far, but I used the store brand
equivalent (Kragen) of the Monroe shocks for the Dodge Colt. They fit
perfectly etc. and were half the price of the Monroe model. I've noticed
drasticly better bump handling, but then that was with the old worn
rear lever shocks.
On Mon, 2 Feb 1998
WSpohn4@aol.com wrote:
=%O
=%OThe only way to lower a rubber lipped B is to fit an earlier cross-member,
and
=%Oeven then you will end up with the earlier stock ride height.
=%OI have seen so many people cut the springs, or somewhat more sensibly fit
new
=%Osprings to their B to lower it, thus inducing a situation fraught with bump
=%Osteer and loss of feel.
=%OIf you just like the looks of a low rider B, go ahead and lower it. If you
=%Owant really good handling for competition, talk to a current racer or
=%Oautocrosser about the expensive and fundamental changes necessary for that
=%Ouse. If you want good street handling, use an early cross member, fit about
a
=%O3/4" front sway bar, and save your money you'd spend on tube shocks by
making
=%Osure that the Armstrongs are in good shape. You can fit heavier valves to
them
=%Oif you don't mind the stiff ride on the street.
=%OJust don't think that a tube shock conversion will transform the car into a
=%Oslalom demon.
=%O
=%OBill S.
=%O
"Never ascribe to Malice that which can be explained by Ignorance"
John J. Peloquin
Molecular Biology &
Biochemistry
3205 BioSciences II
UC IRVINE
Irvine, CA 92697-3900
jpeloqui@uci.edu
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