MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Coil over shocks

Does anyone know if there are any coil over shock conversion parts- pans/replacement armstrong tower units etc available as aftermarket products sold individually without the need to buy a complete coil over shock conversion suspension kit?

Id like to build a replacement upgrade to put on my GT when the time comes. Reason being it will be a daily driver when finished and a smidge of comfort will be needed but mostly sharper handling. Figured I should at least ask before I end up buying a second factory set up and taking the angle grinder and welder to it and reinventing the wheel.I will be keeping the present original factory setup I have on the shelf.

Any pointers/tips greatly appreciated.
JS Ahlund

More people seem to be coming round to the view that for a road car the standard setup is pretty good. Unless you are going for a wholesale upgrade to the suspension geometry, which needs a compete crossmember assembly, there is little to be gained by changing just the damper and even less by changing the spring, other than hardness. Sharper turn-in, if that's what you mean by sharper handling, can be obtained by upping the tyre pressures, at the expense of a harder ride.

Also I think you would be opening a can of worms if you tried to source separate pans, replacements for the upper wishbone arms, and spring and damper units rather than buying a kit.
Paul Hunt

a lot of people change dampers and springs as this is a highly promoted route when changing the suspension bushes and having the rest of the existing suspension in good condition would be a more effective route

the reconditioned lever arm dampers can let this method down - at under £20 retail what can you expect but I believe you can get properly reconditioned dampers from the USA

also bear in mind tyres are part of the suspension and handling (and braking, steering and ride comfort and noise), having tyres with loads of tread on but are hard through age and/or lack of use can deteriorate all mentioned - also having better quality tyres for handling can make a difference as can having the tracking checked

years ago I drove an MGB that had improved suspension and engine and to my mind it was horrible and spoilt no longer enjoyable to drive the balance of the whole car had been lost

you don't drive a classic GT in the same way you would a modern sports car, instead of the sharpness you have flow, if you go with the flow instead of trying to sharpen it then you'll find progress can be quite good but in a classic instead of modern way, pleasant fun
Nigel Atkins

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I have completely rebuilt new suspension both front and rear which hasnt seen more than 200 miles. Im very satisfied with the original set up and I couldnt agree more with several of your comments. A suspension set up designed in 1937- holding its ground.

If I was to try and improve anything on my original set up for say "lowering" id go for dropped spindles which keep the original suspension almost untouched.

My idea was to actually build a second system. Not really coil overs but with air bags. Id just like to see what can be done at the press of a button, curiosity if you like. Its not even destined for the daily but the idea is to use the daily as a test bed.

At present there are no available kits on the market. Ive been prodding about and have done the research on air parts that fit, I now need to solve the hardware part as far as pans and towers are concerned and dont see the point in buying an overpriced coil over kit and discarding the shocks. Perhaps a vendor will pick up on it?

I have been considering the same route as Henk jan Vonk and gutting out the armstrongs and welding the pans. The idea of an almost original look or at least re-using some original parts is attractive.

Not everyones cup of tea perhaps but all the same a fun project.
JS Ahlund

Air bags? Are you going to make it jump up & down like a lowrider? I'de pay to see that!
KX Bielinski

"Not really coil overs but with air bags."

The factory did that with their SSV1 in 1972 http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/concepts/concepts-and-prototypes/in-house-designs-the-ssv-cars/
Paul Hunt

Wow! Thanks Paul, all the searches I did didnt turn that up! I like the fact that they were well ahead back in 1972.

Id like to evaluate airbags for an upcoming project once im finished with the one im doing at the moment. I figured I could get started on it now as at least ninety percent of it is research and ten percent or so just doing.
JS Ahlund

Paul would know better than me but I might have seen SSV1 or one of the others on display at Gaydon, perhaps a few years ago

I think a couple of years back someone had a similar or same idea as you and showed a company manufacturing and selling small air pockets/bags(?) type suspension for sale, used on small builder type car type trucks, used instead of or in addition to springs but I can't remember which
Nigel Atkins

I guess the project never got wind under its wings?

Im interested for myself, ive no interest in mass production. Theres easier parts to manufacture and sell that have larger markets. Although it would be nice to see someone selling kits- even if the market isnt that big. I expect it could be made to encompass BMC as a whole for the few that are interested.

JS Ahlund

sorry, I meant this other chap found a company that already made or marketed these air cushion/bags/pockets and these were used on small trucks like the ones builders use (cabin with flat bed that might have a hard top - pick-ups! the name's just come back to me)
Nigel Atkins

If you remember the name Nigel, that would be great :)
JS Ahlund

Caravanners use helper springs, which can be leaf, coil or air bags.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2013 and 13/10/2013

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now