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Parabolic leaf springs/GAZ shocks
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 5:14 pm
by Michael Dunn
Recently changed to Parabolic leaf springs & GAZ shock absorbers all round .MGB c/b 1974
Shocks initially set to mid-setting, but very 'bouncy'. Tried setting harder but still a lot of movement.
Anybody changed to this spring/shock absorber configuration?
What is the setting for the shocks?
Re: Parabolic leaf springs/GAZ shocks
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:50 pm
by Geoff Edwards
Hi Michael,
I changed to parabolic springs a while ago with Spax dampers. I currently have the dampers adjusted about 8 clicks from the lightest, which is quite soft. What is your general setup; is the front end fairly stiff? and what tyre pressure do you run at - I now use 28psi in the front and 25 at the rear. However, mine is a late rubber bumper car which has been lowered and with the rear anti-roll bar removed - I read in two different places in the same week that if a late car is lowered the A/R bar should be removed!! So my car would handle somewhat differently to yours, I would suspect and I'm not sure how Spax would compare with GAZ dampers. in any case
Regards,
Geoff
Re: Parabolic leaf springs/GAZ shocks
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 3:53 pm
by Michael Dunn
Hi Geoff
Thanks for getting back to me.
Currently running 25 psi on front tyres & 28 psi on rears.
Still in the trial period with the shocks. Have set both front & rear to 10 clicks harder from middle position.
Realize this is not any good as car oscillates at this.
Next adjustment, I will try the other end of setting of 4 clicks from softest.
As mine is a 1974 c/b roadster no anti-roll fitted at rear.
Any comments greatly appreciated
Regards
Mike
Regards
Re: Parabolic leaf springs/GAZ shocks
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:13 pm
by Geoff Edwards
Hi Mike,
I personally think your tyre pressures are round the wrong way - it has always been drummed into me for an MGB that the
suspension should be hard at front, soft at the back. The original pressures were, I believe, based on crossply tyres. Having said that what was the handling of the car before fitting the new springs?
Geoff
Re: Parabolic leaf springs/GAZ shocks
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:59 pm
by Jim Haines
I agree with Geoff.
Having harder tyres on the front - say 28 - is fairly common on MGB's and improves/lightens the steering to some degree.
If you have harder tyres on the rear all you are doing is 'hardening' the bounce/recoil from the tyres, let alone the springs or the shocks. I run mine at 24/5 psi, and this gives me a good degree of comfort and grip. I don't have parabolic springs but their recoil rate can't really be much different in design/load rates to conventional leaf springs, otherwise the car would be inherently unstable.
Hope this helps.
Re: Parabolic leaf springs/GAZ shocks
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 5:06 pm
by Michael Dunn
HI Geoff & Jim
Thank you both for your suggestions regarding settings for shocks/tyre pressures..
Set up is now 6 clicks up from minimum on front & 4 clicks up for rear.
Also set tyre pressures 28 psi front & 25 psi for rear.
Car rides very good now, pleased with result.
Mike Dunn