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MG TD TF 1500 - Front coil springs

I have found the PO had a problem when hitting another moving car. T bone style.
They had fixed it up very well. I Thought !
When I pulled engine to rebuild, found the front off center. Had a front end man from next door straighten it out.
Then decided to put new bushings in the A-arms.
Pulled the springs and what did I find.
Right spring was 1/2 inch shorter AND had a big weld spot 2 coils down from the top.
Bugger -
Looking at MOSS I see they have a new Suplex Spring Set.

Has anyone tried these? They are 10" high and smaller dia.and give another 1" room for bounce. These cost $99.00 - The regular ones they sell cost $107.00 with no info about where they come from and height and such.

My left one stands 9 1/2 " high. Could I find a used one with that height? or buy new?



M Grogan

My honest suggestion would to be to replace both at the same time. Springs tend to sag over time and there rate change in the process. MGB springs will work. I think they are a bit taller and are stiffer as well. It will make the front set a bit higher I'm told. And you may need to use the B spring pans which is a plus should you want to put a anti sway bar on the car as well. But imagine I imagine the B springs would settle with use. Maybe some one else will have direct experience with that. Q

Moss talks up the Simplex springs but the few people I've talked to were not happy with them and one person even reported a failure. Though they may have a deeper compression distance because of the number of coils or their diameter I think it is a moot point as the limiting rubber bumper limiters still prevent the suspensions maximum deflection.

I don't know about the other PN. If you have a spring works in your area you might contact them and have a set made locally. Worth an inquiry at least

Bill Chasser
W. A. Chasserq

Always replace springs in pairs.

I put the Moss Supplex springs in my MGB and while they seem well made and ride nice, they are slightly too small in diameter to seat fully in the spring pans. As a result, they seat partly on the "taper" of the spring seat and make the car at least an inch too high in front. I have no idea if the T series springs have the same problem but I wouldn't recommend them.
Jack Long

One of my front suspension springs was broken when I got the car. I replaced them both as a pair and don't regret it. They came from B&G, who seem to offer a range of springs with some interchangeability between the TD, TF, MGA and MGB. If you don't replace as a pair the chances are the new one will be longer and more resilient than the other, giving the car a lop-sided look and strange characteristics.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Wow, thanks for the input.
I had thought about the anti-sway bar mod. and thought maybe in a year or two. But this sounds like the right time. I will have to start looking for the MGB pans and springs. Is someone setting up a kit install?

M Grogan

Not that I'm aware of. You can buy new front arms, pans and the sway bar from Moss or check eBay in the MGB section. I bought everything off eBay including the poly bushings and sway bar links.
I think the money is well spent buying new pieces instead of cleaning old worn pieces. I put V8 B bushings in my arms but wonder how long they'll last given the poor quality of other "rubber" products from the big suppliers. I recommend the poly or pro poly bushings to firm up the suspension and steering response

Bill Chasser
W. A. Chasserq

The MGB front wishbone arms are the same as those on the TD & TF but with a trapezoidal reinforcement toward the wheel end. This has a hole to take the bottom end of the droplink from the ARB / swaybay. The MGB pans have a matching extension piece on the edge with a hole in the same position. Some authorities deem this unnecessary and just use the std TD / TF pan. Or if you have welding kit its easy to modify to match the MGB pan. Its important to use high quality bolts. The ARB / swaybar is just the std MGB type (sometimes obtainable s/h from someone upgrading to a thicker bar for their MGB). Look on YouTube for Laverne's excellent guide on how to install and a complete list of what is needed.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I bought my MGB spring pans and front arms from a salvaged car. With a clean up and new paint, they were perfect for my ARB installation and you couldn't tell from new.
Jim Merz

I like the 480# front road springs from Moss PN 264-386 the old PN if you look in the archives was 264-385. MGB MGC uprated road springs. They are slightly stiffer, & slightly lower, but with a sway bar, these springs, & poly bushings really make the car handle! ( Michelin tires also help)
Len Fanelli

This thread was discussed between 25/05/2016 and 31/05/2016

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