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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 - Shocking experience

Whilst undergoing the annual MOT for my MGA the mechanic found fluid dripping from a rear shock absorber and the lever arm was able to be rocked slightly. The car still passed the test but the offending shock was only 2 years old, a reconditioned exchange unit from Brown & Gammons. Although out of warranty Brown & Gammons admitted that the life of a unit is a bit of a 'lottery'. New seals are put in and bearings if required and after that its sent out again. The cost of recon units is quite low at £25 and I've heard reports on the short life of these units. I wondered if other members have had better experiences or have I just been unlucky? Can anyone recommend a UK supplier with a good track record?
J H Cole

John

You might have a word with Bob West. If I remember correctly he supplies a better engineered version.

Steve
Steve Gyles

John,
There's a company, who's name I forget (Northwestern?)that rebuilds shocks and guarantees them for life. I sat thru a tech session with them at a GT a couple years back. They are excellent. I have a set of theirs on the front of my coupe. Never had a problem with (original) rears.
Too many horror stories about shocks rebuilt by Apple Hydraulics leaking right out of the box.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

Wrong side of the pond for JHC, but the place is:
Worldwide Auto Parts in Madison Wisconsin, USA.
Highly recommended.
http://www.nosimport.com
http://www.nosimport.com/shoxcatalog.htm
Barney Gaylord

John

Try Stevson Motors in Birmingham -

http://www.stevsonmotors.co.uk/home.htm

Regards

David
David Wardell

Second on Barney's recomedation. Peter Caldwell at World Wide Auto Parts will ship internationally and I think that Peter May is already selling those shocks in England. Peter's rebuilding includes machining the shock housing to take a delrin bushing in place of the original metal to metal fit for the shaft, a custom made stainless steel sleeve for the shaft that enables him to use a true lip type seal in place of the original fiber packing material, and fully cleaning and reconditioning the shock body and internal parts. I just installed a set on the front of my midget and will do the same for my MGA when it comes time. I ordered mine unpainted as I wanted to paint them to match my car, here's what they looked like out of the box.


B Young

I'm half-way through my engine bay cleanup, and had just removed the old shocks. The bay had been sprayed with undercoating, and looks very ugly. I had planned on cleaning up the old shocks for re-installation, but looks like I could get a "new" pair for a good price from World Wide Auto !

Thanks again for the great info !

-Chuck
Chuck Mosher

I also recommend World Wide for rebuilding. They did a beautiful job on a pair of MGA front shocks.
TJP Pollak

Steve, I finally managed to speak with Bob West and he does indeed sell 'good' recon units but the news was not too good for me since he thought that play in the lever arm spindle meant that the metal bearing surface was shot and would not be suitable for reconditioning. I thought that the specialists drilled out the metal forming the bearing and sleeved in a new bearing with a seal. One problem I've found is that discussions happen with the company selling the unit not those who actually do the work - they won't give away that info so when you ask what's actually done they're not too sure themselves other than 'whatever's necessary'.
J H Cole

This thread was discussed between 27/03/2011 and 29/03/2011

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