I have also been interested in the leaf springs listed in the Mini Mania
catalogue. Do you have the composite ones (didn't think that they were
actually able to get them made) or are they metal?
As a suggestion to those on the list with 1/4 elliptic sprung models, a
very nice mod is to remove 2 leaves from the stock springs. This
softens the spring (very definitely needed as the stock rate is far too
hard even for racing) and at the same time allows for more adjustment to
ride height and wheel weighting. 1/2 elliptic models need stiffer
springs, so don't do this on your 65+ spridget! Another trick is to use
some sort of lube (I use TAL-5) between the leaves to alleviate the
stiction associated with leaf springs (this makes a surprising
improvement). I have often though about getting very thin sheets of
Delrin and cut some to fit between the leaves to permanently fix the
stiction, however I have never found a good source for a thin sheet (<
1/16") of Delrin...
I'm pretty surprised that no one has made a pitch for Castrol LMA brake
fluid yet. This is THE brake fluid to use if you are not totally
rebuilding the system from scratch. If you are rebuilding from scratch
there are pluses and minuses for Dot 4 vs. silicone, however the only
instance where silicone should really be used is with brand new rubber
all around. If you are flushing an existing system that uses standard
brake fluid, then Castrol LMA is the ONLY one you should use for
virtually all British cars. Also never reuse brake fluid from an open
can (even the LMA), always chuck it after you've used as much as you
need as brake fluid starts absorbing water from the moment it is opened.
As always, YMMV
Jackson Zimmermann
jzimmerm@albemarle.org
'64 A-H Sprite (5-speed)
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