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MG MGA - A question of feel...?

I have always enjoyed driving the MGA mostly because it is so different to my modern daily driver, it actually feels like a 60+ year old car that judders around on the road a little.

I am considering fitting an anti-roll bar and note that the consensus of opinion is that it improves the drive.

How does it improve the ride ? Does it make the ride more modern in its feel ?

Also, there seems to be no end of different methods - what does everyone think it the most straightforward and effective method ? i.e MGB 3/4 bar, Moss direct product etc etc

Be interesting to hear what you think.



Aleks
Aleks Stojanovic

Judders around Aleks? They should run smooth, subject to road surface condition. Are your tyres properly balanced? pressures; dampers; ball joints etc all ok?

I fitted the MGB anti roll bar many years ago. I have forgotten what the handling was like before. Certainly handles nice at the moment.

I seem to recall I was recommended to the MGB kit by Bob West and that he modified the drop links for the MGA. You will also need a modified spring pan.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Judders around in the nicest possible sense Steve, if the tarmac is smooth it goes like an arrow.

Wondering if I might try the MGB 3/4 bar. I can fabricate the modified spring pans...

Sat in the fence here really, need a slight gust of wind to push me onto one side or the other...


Aleks

Aleks Stojanovic

Fit one Aleks, it really makes the cars steering response and "turn-in", much sharper.
Also, the car stays much more level in the bends with very little body roll.

One thing I really love about my MGAs is the way it responds if you add a bit of throttle as you turn it in to a corner. The car then goes around the bend as if it is on rails and it becomes a real smile maker.

I installed the 3/4" MGB A/R bar like Steves, it is a straightforward job to fit. But you will have to fit the MGB type front wishbone arm onto the suspension. This is drilled with the hole to attach the roll bars drop-link and is also re-enforced around the hole to cope with the increased stress.

There is also the option of fitting the ADDCO 3/4" arb which bolts directly onto the wishbone without the need for a drop link, but you still need to fit the MGB type front wishbone. This ADDCO bar seems to work really well also.

There is lots of info on MGA Guru about these a/r bars plus lots in the BBS Archive.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

I just found a couple of pictures of my ARB (sorry the 2nd one is rotated by 90 degrees).

This 2nd picture does show that the outer bend of the bar, next to the drop link, does tend to rub very lightly on the steering arm at full steering lock. I have never noticed this happening whilst I am driving the car.

The ADDCO bar avoids this problem.
Colyn




Colyn Firth

I fitted a 3/4 inch anti roll bar about 2-3 years ago. I was encouraged to do it by finding a bargain bar.

Does it change or improve the ride? There was no change that I could notice.

It did however improve the steering feel making the car seem more secure going round corners if you understand my meaning.

Was it worth doing? Yes.

A warning on shortening the links. My first attempt was to cut them, fit a sleeve and weld it up. The heat destroyed the ball joints. I ended up threading the links and making an internally threaded sleeve to join them together with added Loctite. I don't think they could have come unscrewed but the Loctite was for added security.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

Yes, the difference is noticeable. More precision in the curves, less roll and greater stiffness in the suspension. Except for rare occasions of boringly slow rides over various impositions and broken asphalt roads, it's much more fun to drive and I think safer.
Gabriel Martínez

If you replace your spring pans, make sure that they are the same size as your originals -there were examples that were narrower being sold a few years ago which are not safe to use
Dominic Clancy

A couple of years ago Tim Price and I both fitted ADDCO bars ordered directly from the company in Florida. They come as a complete kit with fitting for MGAs and can be fitted in a couple of hours. I really like the resulting improvement in handling. The company has a vast range of bars both for cars and commercials.

Delivery was relatively quick but a couple of pointers. You need to tell them what you want to do as you can’t really use the US on line interface. Also UK HMRC may charge you duty.

Yours happy customer.

Paul
Paul Dean

I'd echo Paul's comments. Dead easy to install - just a few holes to drill and bolts to install. No welding or altering of any existing parts. Very happy with the outcome. Tim
Tim Prime

This thread was discussed between 17/10/2022 and 21/10/2022

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