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MG MGA - New front coil springs revisited

You may remember last months thread about the front springs I put on my car as part of my recent suspension rebuild. The gist of it was that Moss no loger carries a direct replacement for original springs used in pushrod engined MGAs. From discussion here and in a private emails with Kelvin, it seems that the MGBGT springs #264-390 (BHH1077) are the closest replacement that Moss currently carries. That's what I had put on my car with the result of raising the front ride height by 1.5 inches.

After talking with Cecelia at Scarborough Faire, I ordered a pair of their #K50 springs which she said are the correct replacement for original AHH5546 springs used in these cars. Well, the new springs arrived last week and I installed them yesterday, so I thought I'd report back for those who might be intrested in the results.

Visually, the SB and Moss springs looked virtually the same. The Moss springs are just slightly taller - maybe 1/8" (I didn't actually measure them, but I did take a photo). On installing the SB spring, I found a noticable difference in how much it compressed while jacking the spring pan. With the SB springs installed the front of the car is now sitting about 3/8" higher than before I started my suspension rebuild...and a bit more than 1 full inch lower than with the Moss springs installed.

All in all, I'm much happier with the springs from Scarborough Faire. The ride height is beter and the suspension also has much smoother give to it now. The Moss springs just seemed to be too stiff to me.
Andy Bounsall

Comparing the springs. On the right, Scarborough Faire #K50. On the left, Moss #264-390.



Andy Bounsall

Ride height with the Moss springs installed.



Andy Bounsall

Ride height with the SB springs installed.



Andy Bounsall

The difference is in the wire size. Find a caliper and measure the spring wire diameter for both springs. You will find the Moss spring wire to be larger. Stiffness of the coil spring increases as the 4th power of the wire diameter. Deflection decreases inversely to the 4th power of the wire diameter. The coil spring applies twisting load on the wire, same as a torsion bar (anti-sway bar).
Barney Gaylord

Thanks for that explanation Barney. I'll try that when I get home tonight.

Oh by the way, I just realized that I mis-identified the springs in the photo. The shiny one on the right is the Moss spring (you can see BHH 1077 on it). The SB spring is the one on the left.
Andy Bounsall

I ordered replacement coils springs in 2003. The replacement listed (catalog 04-2003) was part number 264-375. With the engine installed, fenders on, etc., the height was extreme. The springs didn't compress nearly enough; the upper swivel link is firmly against the rebound buffer. They'll have to come out. I sure would like to find the correct replacements.

(Before ordering, I e-mailed Moss for info regarding parts 264-375 and 264-390, but never got a reply. Sounds like they're both poor substitutions.)
J.P. Leonard

This thread was discussed on 07/04/2008

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