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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 - Shock Upgrade

I need to have my front and rear shocks bebuilt on my MGA Race car. I have heard nothing good about Apple Hydraulics. Also, will the upgrated shock valves that Moss sells fit the MGA Shocks?
ASH Andrew

World Wide is simply the best, in my opinion. Peter is an outstanding person to work with and his shop's work is exceptional.

http://www.nosimport.com/shoxcatalog.htm

Steve
Steve Brandt

I'd also endorse Worldwide as being great to deal with.
dominic clancy

I've had shocks rebuilt and carbs rebushed by Apple Hydraulics over the last 15 years and I've never had a problem. You can put me down as saying something good. And I've also had shocks rebuilt by Worldwide. Marv
Marv Stuart

Yes, the MGB HD shock valves will fit the MGA shocks. I happen to have a pair of them for teh front shocks which I have never used, now looking for a new home.
Barney Gaylord

On an aside what type of oil goes in the shocks?
R J Brown

I've had good luck with Apple Hydraulics. If I'm rebuilding a shock which is a good core, I make certain I'm getting the same core back after the rebuild. On an exchange basis your asking for trouble. -M.S.
Martin Straka

Pretty much any oil you like. Since these are hydraulic units, hydraulic oil seeme to be a good choice, and there are lots of variations available. Motorcycle shops have available multiple grades of hydraulic "fork oil" (for too much money). For a cheap fix thet woeks well I use hydraulic jack oil, available at many local discount department stores in the automotive department.
Barney Gaylord

Barney, checked your site, nothing I could find on the uprated shock valves. Are they worth the effort? If so yours might well have found a new home. I suspect my heavier 6 cylinder might handle a bit better with the stiffer shock settings.
Bill Young

Bill, and Barney.. The MGB valves may work. They will certainly screw in. Over the years Armstrong had a few differences that can be significant when you are looking to make the valves stiffer. Typically the B valves that Moss and their ilk sell, will have an intergral washer and an o-ring immendiatel under the hex nut. Older A shocks usually do not. The bodies are likewise somewhat differently machined. If the washered valve is used in a washerless body, you can't get to the depth inside to close off the proper ports enough. Interestingly, at least to me, the compression and rebound strokes are opposite between the B and the A front shocks.

I plan to explain this and a lot more at MG2006! See you there! Peter C.
Peter Caldwell

Bill. It's not on my web site because I have never installed them, so I have no real world experience to relate as to their effectiveness. Any such comment on my part would be about as useful as the ad in the catalog, like "Buy these. they're supposed to make your car handle better", with no facts or data to back it up.

About all I can say is that I believe they will make the MGA shocks somewhat stiffer. Exactly how much stiffer I don't know, and whether the effect is good or bad depends on your driving needs.

My perceived need and urge to install them seems to have passed away when I changed the sway bar from 3/4" to 7/8", after which it goes like scat around the autocross track on the sticky race tires (except I can't buy the tires any more).

In the beginning What I really wanted was a set of externally adjustable shock valves.

Bill. Contact me off list if you want the parts. I'm sure there's a good deal lurking here somewhere.
Barney Gaylord

When all my MGA's shocks were rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics I specified the heavy duty rebuild. The difference was very noticible and the stiffer damping wasn't too harsh for everyday driving. Very responsive control and a safe "planted to the road feel" improvement when your pushing the limits. Apple states that it includes larger bronze bushings for the main shaft and a 15% increase in shock valving. I've never used anything but the standard recommended oil for the MGA lever shocks. I used to tailor my motorcyle front forks using various viscosities of fork oil available, with dramatic results. -M.S.
Martin Straka

Thanks for the information Martin, good to hear from you again. Think I'll take Barney up on his offer.
Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 15/03/2006 and 16/03/2006

MG MGA index

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