Rear Leaf Spring Saddle Pad

[martinclan]

As in the title. Are they essential? I have seem some discussion elsewhere about leaving them out.
My originals have disintegrated (so i guess not that essential ) and the only replacements - Superflex - are gruesomely expensive.

Cheers, Robin

[ClaytonSpeed]

They are there to help reduce the harshness (metal on metal) of the axle to the spring - You don't have to run them.

[martinclan]

Hmm. Just looking (again) at the not very clear pictures in Haynes manual. Does not the saddle pad have a spigot to aid location of the axle?
In which case perhaps they are not so optional after all?
Cheers Robin

[ClaytonSpeed]

All springs have a dowel through it that should align with the axle spring pad. The commercials had an alignment spacer fitted that locked into the pad and so no rubber pads.

[martinclan]

OK - thanks. So if I omit the rubber pad I may have to make a spacer to make sure the dowel aligns correctly in the axle pad.

I actually have to replace the axle pads anyway as they are rusted through. I have some Ford Escort ones which look a good fit but they have a smaller alignment hole so the problem may disappear....

Cheers, Robin

[trunnions ftw]

Mgb banjo axle pads look very much similar and are available cheaply, I think they use the same U bolts also as the guy who sold me my running gear robbed marina is using the axle off it on his minor and is using banjo axle mgb parts to mount it to the springs.

[martinclan]

Good call! I think you may have just saved me several ££
Cheers, Robin

[martinclan]

So... I bought some MGB leaf spring pads. They are not a 100% fit as it seems the MGB spring is narrower. But I think they can be fettled to fit.
Cheers Robin

[KwS]

I was told the MK1 Escort spring pads were the correct size, if a bit long, but can be trimmed. They are also available in poly.

[JubileeNut]

Mine is on MK1 Escort pads cut down poly ones. Just the length needs cutting.