Leaf spring sliders instead of shackles

[MGBV8]

Okay, I ran across an old thread where Curtis showed a pic of a race car setup with sliders instead of shackles. Looks like a better way to go about lowering the back of the leaf springs & possible improve the handling.



Problem is, I can't find a slider that works with a narrow leaf.

http://www.jegs.com/p/AFCO/AFCO-Leaf-Spring-Slider/957633/10002/-1

[Moderator]

It appears that one could modify the slider you linked to by cutting the tube in the middle shorter and making up the distance with large washers (like the ones already used at each end of the tube.)

[BlownMGB-V8]

For street use, my concern would be binding when there is any body roll, and noise transmitted to the car body. Also grit will get in the slot and there will be wear so the plates should be replaceable. If you could upsize the whole thing enough to use UHMW or nylon (available in black) for the side plates it seems it would work better and the bearings would last longer.

Jim

[DC Townsend]

You could certainly build them yourself but Afco makes a nicely put together, ready-to-go part - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/afc-20236s

[DiDueColpi]

Not really a big fan of sliders.
My biggest beef is that they are noisy, as in really loud.
No big deal on a track car but you will need a very big sound system on a street car to tune them out.
The other less obvious fault is the loss of tuning advantage that a shackle gives you.
The angle of the shackle allows a degree of spring rate tuning that the slider can't duplicate, unless a cam profile is used.
Then there's the binding problem that requires a watts linkage to fix that doesn't quite do it all. While adding to the unsprung weight.
So in my opinion, why use them?
Cheers
Fred

[MGB-FV8]

I did not hear any noise when I had mine in my '65 Barracuda; it also removed a lot of body roll.......

[MGBV8]

I thought the sliders might be an easier, faster solution to returning a RB MG to CB specs compared to Lloyd Faust's tutorial on moving the leaf spring shackle pivot.  Would be, too, if there were some ready made to fit our leaf springs.

BTW, some are made with sealed bearings & some with nylon.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/leaf-spring-sliders-th.html

Leaf s[ring tech article:

http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/leaf.shtml