MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

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 MGA - MGA front coil springs

Hello all. I'm restoring a '57 MGA coupe and the front coil springs need to be replaced. One is already broken so I want to know what options are available. I have read that early MGB springs are the current substitute but I want to know if they are considered soft or relatively stiff. I prefer a stiff spring with little body roll but have not seen any available yet. Any comments, particularly from coupe owners about ride quality would be great.

Thanks!
Craig
Craig Cootsona

Craig, MGA springs are available. See the Moss or VB catalogue. There are standard and alternate types.
aRT

Craig, I did the front end on my 1600 last winter and went with MGB "GT" front coils. Regular MGB coils were too high but the GT's were right on. The height was right and they are a little stiffer than stock MGA ones. Overall result was great !!
Michael Hosier

I too went with the MGBGT front springs, these are the same as the twin cam springs and are as stated a little stiffer. I am very pleased with them. I didn't know that the roadster MGB springs were higher? that seems a little odd?
Bob (robert)

I thought the difference was between RB and CB springs on the B, but that GT and Roadster springs otherwise the same.
dominic clancy

I have a set of front coil springs that I removed from a flowerbox MGA, it had inner and outer springs, i.e. 2 springs per side. I know that this stiffens up the suspension a bit, the PO had put a Buick V8 into the car years and years ago. My question is whether this was a normal practice. Do those of you who race see this much?
mike parker

I looked into this years ago and again recently for the current rebuild. The MGB GT front coil springs are different than the mgb roadster and the MGA pushrod roadster. They are slightly larger in diameter and stiffer, but are the same length as the MGA (both versions). The MG Twin Cam springs are the same as the MGB GT. The MGA pushrod roadster and the MGB roadster have springs that are different from each other. (The MGB roadster are slightly longer, if I remember correctly - which agrees with Mike and Bob's observations and experiences.)

All will fit, but the best match for the MGA if you want an improvement in the front end stiffness are the MGB GT (MGA TC)units.

Steve
Steve Brandt

Thanks for the info! As usual this BBS has been one of the most valuable resources in keeping these cars running properly. I ordered the early type MGBGT springs from Moss. It will be a while before I can test them on the road because I'm still cleaning and painting suspension parts and frame. Those that have done this can probably remember the distinctive smell the iron-oxide dust, even with a dust mask!

Thanks again,
Craig

Craig Cootsona

This thread was discussed between 19/02/2005 and 25/02/2005

MG MGA index

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