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MG MGB Technical - Shocks

I need shocks on my 67 mgb roadster. I understand that I have two choices, Knee action shocks or buy a conversion kit (then some kind of a note about telescopic???). I have hydrolic shocks on the front. Does that mean that the previous owner changed them out?
Do girls work on MGs? I don't remember seeing any girls in here?
So what do you guys think? What is the best for ride, for re-sale?
Thanks for your help?
Margo Lubbers

I'd love to help you with the shock questions, but want to address your other question first. Yes, girls work on MGs. Any girl who works on MGs is a friend of mine. Word up. Anybody else want to help with the shock questions?
Brian

Margo,

All MGBs came with hydraulic shocks front and rear, however they are a different style from front to rear. The front shock arm acts as the upper control arm as well on the front end. The rear is mounted to the body and has an arm with a connecting link that ties it into the axle locator on the leaf spring. Personally, I have a set of adjustable SPAX tube shocks for the rear that I plan on installing one of these days. BTW, knee action or lever arm = hydraulic shocks. Tube = telescopic = modern shock.

-Jared
Jared Snider

I was just in printing a label to send my shocks in for rebuild and thought I'd check the BBS. When you say hydraulic shocks I assume you mean the lever type, which are the original. Yes, you can convert to another type but the originals, in good condition, are just fine for most driving. I can't say which shock provides the best ride.
I'm sending mine to Worldwide Auto Parts in Madison Wisconsin. (http://www.mailbag.com/users/nosimport/) Rebuilding them is $59.95 each, plus shipping, of course. Apple Hydraulics (http://www.applehydraulics.com/) in New York also rebuilds them, probably for about the same price. I heard better reports from Worldwide so that's why I chose them. They are also much closer to me.
Welcome to the BBS.
Rick
Rick Jaskowiak

Margo-
Unless you're going racing on a track, theres no point in converting to telescopic shock absorbers. The Original Equipment Armstrong lever arm dampers are quite adequate for street use. If you search the archives of this BBS you'll find multiple postings by people who converted to telescopic shock absorbers onlt to convert back to the original lever arm dampers. I would suggest that you remove yours and send them to World Wide Auto Parts to be exchanged for a rebuilt set. Their rebuilt dampers are actually better than the new ones being currently produced. World Wide has a website at http://www.mailbag.com/users/nosimport

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot- My second wife, may God rest her soul, loved to work on her 1969 roadster. She'd wash it, wax it, even get greasy smudges on her nose working on a tune-up. Don't be shy about working on your MGB. It's the perfect Beginners Mechanic car.
Steve S.

Margo...My 25 year old daughter just helped my completely rebuild the front suspention on my 67'GT. She learned quite a bit and helped me get the job done much quicker.
I installed the tube shock conversion kit on the rear of my GT recently and like the way the car handles, although the ride is a bit rough.
Steve
Steve Brooks

This thread was discussed on 13/12/2001

MG MGB Technical index

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