MGB: frontsuspension

Does anyone build a front shock replacement for the MGB (besides the $700.00 coil-over package?) Using the old lever shoch seem to defeat the design. The MGC used a strut (?) but the installation looks to be a whole lot of work. Any help out there?

Moss offers a setup where you pull the valve from your levers and bolt a tube shock on the side. Uses the original lever for a top link. Looked kind a cheap to me. I can't understand why anyone with anything but an all out racer would want to change over to tube anyway. More trouble than it's worth!

I agree with Gerry. Why would you want to mess with a good thing. There's a good chance the shocks on your car are the originals. I don't think there a tube shock out there that would last 21 years. They are pricy but I think the original type of shock is the way to go.

I had always heard that lever shocks were trash, but after driving with them for six years or so I know better. I wouldn't do a changeover of any kind on my MG. My shocks are 23 years old and still work fine. If they ever go bad I'll brobably have Apple Hydraulics to rebuild them. I understand they do an excellent job.

Hey, who's Apple Hydrolics? My '66 has some bouncy shocks, I expect they're original. Is there a reason to buy new? Or are rebuilds just as good? I think Moss, or VB, sells them both ways, and if I recall, there is quite a $ difference.

Dick, the owner of MG Ltd in Greenfield WI, told me his company also rebuilds them...as I recall, his price was reasonable.

From what Tom says I wouldn't go with rebuilts from VB or Moss. Somebody on this site had theirs done by Apple and said his worked fine and didn't leak. Apple Hydraulics rebuilds all kinds of hydraulic components, and is an old reliable outfit. Just try the name in your browser.

Tony Where's Greenfield Wisconsin?

My DPO put tubes on the front and rear. I don't particularly like them....I hate to mess with good engineering. WOuld it be worth it...or opening a can of worms...to convert back, or should I just leave well enough alone? The old shocks are in there, acting as a kind of lever arm. I think they drain the hydro fluid to do that.

I feel that the original lever shock design, especially in the front is an elegant example of sound engineering design. Simple and sweet. A great design that is straight to the point. If your original shocks are salvageable I'd switch back to them. The DPO might have done the conversion incorrectly, who knows? You'd have to get rear replacements since I'm sure he had to remove them to install the tube shocks, and valves for the front shocks.