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MG MGB Technical - Rear shocks

Folks

It's MOT time and my rear shocks are leaking. I always thought that when I got to this point that replacing them with Spax, Bilstein, etc was the way to go, but reading some of the threads recently I find that there is a mixed feeling about them.

My car is a daily driver on motorway and A roads if this helps. Should I make the change? Are Bilstein's less harsh than Spax? or just get recon levers?

Gary
G Roberts

Just get recon levers. They are so much cheaper (like about £30 for the pair instead of about £130 and you will notice no real difference with tubulars apart from the ability to adjust them between acceptable and bone-hard. When I can source the parts I am going back to them.
Paul Hunt

Gary-
Unless you're building a racer or converting to single leaf parabolic rear springs, there's no real advantage to converting. The Armstrong lever arm dampers do a very good job.
Steve S.

Gary,
I converted to tube shocks and though I hate to say it I regretted it - and to make matters worse I don't have my levers anymore to put them back! The problem is that the levers are just dampers, and that's what they do - damp movement. The tube shocks don't just damp, but they "want" to expand to their full length, so they act as an additional springy force, which tends to make the whole ride rather bumpy. I'd leave it alone, and recondition what you have.
Adam Birnbaum

Adam, a good point about gas shocks vs. ordinary dampers such as the Armstrong lever shocks.

I went thru this process some years ago and like you, I later wished I had spent that money elsewhere - particularly for a daily driver. If you need good rebuilt replacement lever shocks, front or rear, give World Wide in Madison, WI, http://www.mailbag.com/users/nosimport/ a try. They provide an excellent product.
Bob Muenchausen

Folks

Thanks for the help. I'll get the recon ones, save trouble, money and work!

Gary
G Roberts

I echo Adam above. All 3 of my tube conversions have now been d/c'd and replaced back with the stock rebuilt dampers. One has the uprated valves, with little difference noted so far. Vic
vem myers

So glad I read this web. We are starting on a 67 B GT and I have been tempted by the shock conversion adds on e-bay. Good to read there is not any great advantage and may be some disadvantages to the tube shocks.

BTW. I also recommend World Wide in Madison. They restored the girlings for my TD and did a superb job.
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 21/02/2004 and 26/02/2004

MG MGB Technical index

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