Which Rear Leaf Spring Is Right for Your Austin Healey?
The correct rear leaf spring depends on two things: your Healey model and how the car is used. If the aim is to restore original road manners, the standard springs are the right place to start. If the car carries more load, covers long touring miles, or needs firmer rear support, the uprated 8-leaf spring offers a useful step up. For race and rally cars, the competition spring is the stronger option built for much harder use.
Quick guide to the range
- SUR120 – Standard rear leaf spring for BN1–BN2. Best for original-spec road cars and early 100 restorations.
- SUR121 – Standard rear leaf spring for BN4–early BJ8. Suits normal road use and factory-style suspension feel.
- SUR121C – Uprated 8-leaf rear spring for BN4–early BJ8. Approximately 12% stiffer than standard, making it a good choice for fast road driving, touring, and heavier loads.
- SUR121R – Race specification rear spring for BN1–BJ8. UK manufactured for competition use and significantly stronger than the standard or uprated versions.
- SUR122 – Standard rear leaf spring for late BJ8 models from chassis 26705 onwards. Correct fitment for the later BJ8 rear suspension setup.
Common signs the rear springs need replacing
- Rear ride height has dropped or looks uneven side to side
- The car feels less settled in corners
- Rear axle movement feels more noticeable under load
- The car is carrying passengers or luggage poorly compared to before
- Existing springs are visibly tired, sagging, or past their best
Worth knowing before ordering
Early and late applications are not interchangeable, especially across the BJ8 production split. Replacing rear springs in pairs is strongly advised so ride height and suspension balance stay even from side to side. Rear shock absorbers, bushes, shackles, and mounting hardware are also worth checking at the same time, as tired surrounding parts can spoil the result.
Still unsure? Check the chassis number first, then match the spring to how the car is actually used. That avoids a lot of guesswork and usually saves doing the job twice.