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 MGF Technical - GAZ Spring/shocks for TF Advice please

After talking to a mate who has a 05TF (revised springs) the handling and drivability is apparently much better than her previous 04TF (same as the one I have). As I’m in agreement with this, I have two choices, one, get some different springs (sports pack1 type) or new spring/damper set. I’ve seen the GAZ kit on the Motobuild site (http://www.moto-build.com/mainsite/mgfparts.html) and from previous looks at the GAZ kit, is does look good. But, the proof of the pudding as they say…..so is there any negative comments on this kit? Is it as good as the sports pack 1 springs? I’m sorry if this has been asked before, but the thought police at work won’t let me log-in to trawl the archives!
Rosie

I have the GAZ shoks on my 1995 f and found them to be a great improvement and good quality, have had them fitted for around 6 months now!!

Rick
R P Earle

Rosie, have a look on the MGOC accessories site. They now sell a comfort handling kit designed to improve the ride on pre 2005 TFs.
The kit consists of a set of Bilstein dampers that you fit with your existing springs.

A 4th option is a set of Eibach springs, which can be used with either standard dampers or the Bilstiens above.

FWIW I have a 2005 TF and changed the springs for the Eibach ones, as I found the original springs produced a too much body roll for my liking. But saying that they were a definite improvement over the springs on my 2003 TF.
IMO the Eibachs are a good improvement over both of the standard springs, but you may find then a bit to harsh if you do a lot of mileage.
IMHO the best setup would be Eibach springs combined with Bilstein dampers.
Steve White

I've heard some poor reports on the Gaz TF set up which would put me off.

I've fitted a LEDA coilover kit which replaces the OEM dampers and spring set with an adjustable custom set up. I find the ride and the handling superb and despite some warnings that the adjusters might seize they havent so far.

I did try a set of the Eibach lowering springs and I hated them. They were so uncomortable it was untrue. I could feel every ripple in the road and I wasn't convinced that the handling was that much improved. The LEDA kit however is amazing but then again its not cheap either.

FYI the sports pack 1 kit is no improvement on the standard setup its just a bit lower.

The Bilstein dampers refered to above look interesting and can be used with the OEM springs. I havent tried these but I would anticipate that they should be very good quality. I made an enquiry to the company that commisioned these dampers a while back and they said that they intended to produce some of the dampers at a Sports pack 1 ride height. I dont know wether lowering the car is important to you but if it is then I would enquire as to wether the Bilsteins can be bought at the lower height setting. If not I would go for the Bilsteins with your OEM springs.

HTH
Tony L

I was talking to Beverley at Leda the other day and she said that the Eibach springs did not work well with cars fitted with the sports pack.

Ralph
Ralph

No they wont because the dampers fitted to the sports pack have their spring platform mounted lower on the damper so that by using the original spring the car will sit lower. Using the shorter Eibach springs with the lowered dampers of the SP1 will be far to low to be practical.
Tony L

This thread was discussed on 16/05/2006

MG MGF Technical index

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