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MG MGA - Front shock mounting studs

I am in the process of removing a sheared off front shock mounting stud from the frame and was considering replacement options. A few of the mounts on my A had bolts used in place of the studs which appeared to make it easier to R and R the shock. Does anybody out there have any suggestions/comments on the pros and cons of replacement using either bolts or, as original, studs with nuts? I am about to the stage in my restoration that I am going to have to make the choice. Any help or ideas would be most appreciated.
Ken

Ken, As and Bs used studs, midgets used bolts, so I guess it wouldn't make a lot of difference. If you do chose to use bolts make sure the length is correct so that there is full engagement of the threads in the chassis with the lock washers and all in place. No harm in using grade 8 hardware on all chassis components. A little more expensive, but well worth it for the extra strength. Also using a little locktite on the threads wouldn't hurt. Don't want anything on the suspension to come loose while driving.
Bill Young

Bs used bolts Bill and I'd tend to go for this in that they may be easier to fit and remove. It's certainly easier to remove the shocker with bolts rather than have to withdraw is over the length of the stud
Iain MacKIntosh

The only advantage of studs is their originality. If you need to remove the shocks with the body on you will wish you had used bolts as the shocks won't clear the studs before they hit the body tin.
R J Brown

I use grade 8 bolts on the race car.

They are 3/8" x 1.25" UNF.
Bill Spohn

Actually, I believe you will find that the studs have a course thread on the end that is screwed into the chassis and possibly are BSW. Both BSW and UNC have 16 TPI for 3/8" diameter and in unstressed situations are interchangable. I am not sure that would apply in this situation.
John DeWolf

The original A shocks can be removed with the body in place if fixed with studs - the common "B shocks with A arms" replacements cannot.

The chassis thread is indeed coarse, but UNF not Whitworth

There is no problem using bolts instead of studs as long as the thread and spec of the bolt is correct
dominic clancy

I have the original type shocks, and mine will not come out with the studs in place. I believe the thread is 3/8 UNC. Use grade 8 bolts, you can't be too careful with the front suspension.



Jeff Schultz

Either my shocks are B replacements or they don't come out because the sheet metal in the area is wrinkled. In fact, if I was going to put studs back in I was going to remove some fender sheet metal to make the arc a tad bigger to ease in fitting. Now it sounds like I should use the bolts. Is UNF the same as UNC?

thanks for the all the words of advice.
Ken

UNF is fine thread, UNC is coarse thread. MG used fine thread except when tapping holes in aluminum.
John H

Hate to be repetitive but to clarify, the bolt should be grade 8, 3/8", 1.25", UNC since the mount into the frame is course thread?

thanks
Ken

Sorry, should be UNC into the chassis turret for the shock mounting, not UNF
dominic

My apologies for setting you off in the wrong direction.

The bolts to use in an MGA are indeed UNC; the bolts used in an MGB are UNF. No idea why they would change from one to the other.
Bill Spohn

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2005 and 03/12/2005

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