A surgical stapling device comprising: an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis; a tool assembly pivotally supported at the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, the anvil assembly being movably mounted in relation to the cartridge assembly between open and closed positions; a flexible drive assembly having a distal end configured to translate through the cartridge assembly to eject the staples therefrom; two support members positioned adjacent the pivot axis, wherein one support member is positioned on one side of the drive assembly and the other support member is positioned on the other side of the drive assembly, wherein each support member has a first end fixedly attached to the.tool assembly and a second end fixedly attached to the elongated body portion, wherein the support members are each positioned adjacent the drive assembly to prevent outward buckling of the drive assembly; characterized in that the support members each include a flexible body which includes a central portion which lengthens axially, wherein the flexible body of each support member has an intermediate spring portion which allows the flexible body to flex outwardly of the longitudinal axis to prevent binding of the flexible drive assembly; and limit members positioned about a respective intermediate spring portion to limit the extent to which the intermediate spring portion can flex outwardly. an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis; a tool assembly pivotally supported at the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, the anvil assembly being movably mounted in relation to the cartridge assembly between open and closed positions; a flexible drive assembly having a distal end configured to translate through the cartridge assembly to eject the staples therefrom; two support members positioned adjacent the pivot axis, wherein one support member is positioned on one side of the drive assembly and the other support member is positioned on the other side of the drive assembly, wherein each support member has a first end fixedly attached to the.tool assembly and a second end fixedly attached to the elongated body portion, wherein the support members are each positioned adjacent the drive assembly to prevent outward buckling of the drive assembly; characterized in that the support members each include a flexible body which includes a central portion which lengthens axially, wherein the flexible body of each support member has an intermediate spring portion which allows the flexible body to flex outwardly of the longitudinal axis to prevent binding of the flexible drive assembly; and limit members positioned about a respective intermediate spring portion to limit the extent to which the intermediate spring portion can flex outwardly.