Suspensions spring rates / lengths

[Jack]

In my desire to make my diesel handle better I will shortly be fitting a roll bar (it does not have one - see previous thread). I also intend to fit new springs with the new shocks I already have.

I'd like to fit uprated ones but am not too bothered about them being much lower (maybe just a little bit). My questions are therefore these:

1. Does anybody know the spring rates for MG Maestros and how this compares to the rates on the Diesels?
2. What are free lengths of both types of springs so I can work out if my car will need a huge sump guard?
3. If I end up getting some MG springs, where sells them (standard height ones not lowered).

Thanks!

[Jack]

Surely somebody can answer this one! At least someone must be able to tell me whether MG Maestro Springs are stiffer than Diesel ones. Can you help :confused:

[E_T_V]

I think they are the same springs. (I was looking into the same thing for my diesel van). I can check later tonight to make sure but I beleive MG and diesel springs are the same part number.

[E_T_V]

The anti-roll bar and the new shocks will make a tremendous difference to the handling. If you are after some lower springs (35mm lower) then I can recommend a place.

[Jack]

Really, the only reason I want to change the springs is not to get stiffer ones (though I am worried that the MG ones may be less stiff) but to lower the car very slightly (not 35mm). Also, my diesel seems to be a bit high in the nose which I think looks bad (maybe the rear springs have sagged).

Finally, with the car being so high people seem to have difficulty in getting their feet over the sill and so a friend has damaged the plastic trim on the inside of the sill! It is quite high though (I don't just have lazy friends!).

[E_T_V]

To lower the car slightly get the 250mm shocks rather than the 264mm ones. Also the diesel appears taller as it has 14 inch wheels in many cases.

As I say I think that the diesel and MG springs are actually one and the same. (The MG springs are stiffer than some of the petrol models but the same as the diesel I think). I was looking into it as I have a diesel maestro I'm scrapping and I wanted to uprate the suspensiopn on my 1.3 by adding the anti roll bar and MG springs, however I decided to use the diesel springs from the scrap car as well.

I know the piece of trim you mean, I have the same problem, and you'll find it is loose in many cars where people catch it and the retaining buttons get loosened. My advice would be to try the antiroll bar and the new shocks first. (It is a simple job to change the springs at a later date if you want to). I'm betting you'll find the difference quite pleasing. The difference in handling between our 1.6 with antiroll bar and good shocks compared with my 1.3 with no anti-roll bar and naff shocks is amazing.

[MGTurbo]

In my desire to make my diesel handle better I will shortly be fitting a roll bar (it does not have one - see previous thread). I also intend to fit new springs with the new shocks I already have.

I'd like to fit uprated ones but am not too bothered about them being much lower (maybe just a little bit). My questions are therefore these:

1. Does anybody know the spring rates for MG Maestros and how this compares to the rates on the Diesels?
2. What are free lengths of both types of springs so I can work out if my car will need a huge sump guard?
3. If I end up getting some MG springs, where sells them (standard height ones not lowered).

Thanks!

I don't know the springs rates, bu do know they are different for diesel and petrol. There are a few places that will do springs, contact Robert@Pegasusautoworks.com, he can get hold of 35mm lowering springs for around £100 and they are good quality.

Gareth