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MG MGA - Front suspension

Have developed a bouncy front end, so, new shocks on the way from Peter in the states. Now springs, think the fitted ones are MGBGT so maybe a better option is available? Rear springs are slightly softened if it makes any difference. Front anti roll bar fitted and 1800 engine.
David k Brenchley

David
I replaced my front springs a couple of years ago when I decided to change from lowered suspension and put the car back to standard street suspension.

I bought my front springs from the MGOC and they are excellent and beautifully finished.

I was worried that the car would sit a little too high after fitting them, but they look perfect. Another bonus is that the car handles brilliantly with the standard springs, possibly even better than it did with the lowered ones.

The spec for std springs (assuming you have a MGA 1500 or 1600) is as follows:-

Part No AHH 5546
Free length 8.88 inches
Wire diameter 0.543 inches.
(These measurements are important if you want the car to sit at the correct height)

I had lowering blocks on the standard rear springs to lower the car and just removed them to raise the car up to standard height.
Standard MGA rear springs are very stiff (probably much too stiff) and so if yours have "softened" a little, I would leave them on the car.

I run a 3/4" front ARB and the car handles really well with it.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

The AHH 5546 that Colyn mentions and the BGT springs are both the same strength at 480lbs so both will ride the same,exactly, the only difference is the AHH5546 is 8.88" long but the BGT spring is 9.1"---If you are happy with the height that your car sits, there is no advantage in swapping them out to the AHH5546 springs
William Revit

David

I suggest you look at Barney’s FS-113 where all is revealed.

If you text your email address to 0750 490 1022 I will send you a write-up on my experience with alternate MGB springs.

Cheers
Dave
Bolney Coupe

David

As Colyn I am very happy with the same springs from MGOC. I am always wary about springs as there have been stories around of lots of bad ones so if you know of good ones I would always go for them.

Paul
Paul Dean

Here's a picture of my car taken last year with the MGOC sourced AHH 5546 standard front springs fitted and I think the ride height has turned out to be just perfect.

There are some MGAs around that seem to have front springs that lift the body 2 or 3 inches higher than my car sits and personally, I don't like the nose-high look.

Cheers
Colyn


Colyn Firth

I changed my front springs last year from around 15 year old MGBGT to the MGOC ones. I can't say I noticed any difference in ride or handling.

I did the work in advance of fitting an anti-roll bar which does make a difference.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

Thanks for all the info, shocks should be here in a few days. I'm very wary of springs - I work at a historic railway and we have had no end of trouble with springs - mainly leaf but...
I've contacted a couple of spring manufacturers and if they get back to me I'll publish the info on here.
Colyn, that looks very nice.
Dave - scuderiablkhole at aol dot com no gaps.
David k Brenchley

support Colin and Pauls comment on MGOC springs. They are the correct length and strength and give the correct ride height between tyre and wing. Did allot of work on this before deciding on MGOC.
AR Terry

Well the only firm that bothered to quote came in at £160.00 Plus VAT Delivered, so looks like the MGOC ones.
David k Brenchley

Malcolm,
Originally, my suspension was a lowered race set up with shortened front springs and lowering blocks on the rear axle. It also had an adjustable telescopic rear shock absorber conversion.

The ride was shockingly hard, it would skip over every bump even with rear shocks backed right off. It was also so low that it grounded over almost everything.

I liked the look of the lowered car but the terrible ride finally convinced me to swap to a std height set up with new lever-arm rear shocks.

I expected the handling to be softer and more vague, but I got a pleasant surprise, it turned out to be just as sharp as before but with a vastly improved ride and no more ground clearance problems.
In other words, it is still as brilliant to drive but is also now so much more comfortable.

Most of the terrible hard ride had been down to the telescopic rear shocks (they were Gaz shocks IIRC, the lever arms give a much better ride and suit the car much better.

So, don't be worried about buying the MGOC front springs David, they have proved to be excellent on my MGA.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

To complete suspension set.

After breaking a rear spring a couple of years ago I asked for recommendations and Dominic advised that the ones from Limora in Germany were excellent. After a bit of investigation I found they were available in the UK from SC Parts that is the same company as Limora. When they arrived they were shipped directly from Limora in Germany. They are excellent so far.

The good news is that after many years of rubbish springs been discussed here we now have a good solution for both ends.

Paul


Paul Dean

Wait, there are good rear springs available now?

-Del
D Rawlins

5546 no longer available from MGOC...
David k Brenchley

I have just had this email today from the MGOC about their front sprimgs.

"Hi,

These are now available to purchase online via our website

(Part number AHH5546) priced at £20.95p each inc vat.



With Thanks

MGOC Spares

01954 230928"


I assume that they were out of stock before, or their website was in error.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Cheers Colyn, ordered a pair.
David k Brenchley

Changed the shocks and springs today, old springs where about 1/4 inch shorter than new, thickness correct so possibly MGB comp springs. Now just waiting for some good weather to do a test run.
David Brenchley

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2019 and 07/12/2019

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.