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MGA MGA: Lever arm rebuild or aftermarket shock

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marinmg

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Hi everyone,
Maybe you can help me. I just received my latest copy of MGA! and there was an article about swaping in a after market shock for the rear suspension.
I just finished a entire front end reconstruction where I purchased rebuilt shocks from Peter Caldwell and the front end feels GREAT! I was figuring on just having peter rebuild the rear lever arm shocks but just thought would ask the question to all of you. If you had to do it again which way would you go and why?

Thanks,
Liam
57 mga
 
I only use lever shocks on my MGA. I have never seen a tube shock conversion that could outperform the stock setup without serious modification of the basic suspension design.

One of the biggest problems is that there are no tube shocks specifically designed for MGAs, nor is there a good way to mount the shock so that it sits at the perfect angle throughout its range. Modern cars go through high-dollar testing and design to come up with the perfect shock specification and placement. Even if optimum placement was possible on an MGA, it is unlikely that anyone would ever spend the money to do such testing, let alone design and manufacture a proper MGA tube shock. There is simply no demand for them.

Unless you're talking about computerized or progressive units, shocks all perform the same basic function whether they are tube, lever, friction, etc. Lever shocks do their job well and last forever. They even come in adjustable form if that's what you're after. I would call Peter and get a refurbished set of rears to compliment the fronts you already have.

Hope this helps!
 
Thanks Steve,
Lever arms seem the way to go but...
I guess that the reason the front end was a susscess is that I also replaced the springs, bushings, etc. I guess the real question is how do I know if I need to replace the leaf springs since they are now 51 years old along with the dampers?

Liam
57 mga
 
If the springs are not broken, and the car sits at the proper ride height, then they do not need to be replaced. It's the same situation as the front springs. the only thing you may want to do is disassemble and lubricate the leaf springs if they are very rusty.
 
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