Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

tips, technology, tools and techniques related to non-driveline mechanical components

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MG four six eight
Bill Jacobson
Wa state
(326 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 02:15AM

Main British Car:
73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger

MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: MG four six eight
Date: August 19, 2009 08:22PM

Years ago I figured out that they were using 62-80 Vette rear shocks in the conversion kits.
The old Gabrieal adjustables that have been using worked well for years. Unfortunately one of them is clunking now, so its time to change them out.
Using the same logic I thought I could just buy a set of Monroe sensa-tracs for a 62-80 vette and be good to go.
I tried them, but damn those thing are STIFF. Had to take them off after just one drive.
My question is does anyone have a Monroe part# for the current MGB rear tube kits? They may be using something else by now. I'd buy a kit, however I just want to make sure I wouldn't be getting something that I have already tried!

Bill


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4559 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 19, 2009 09:47PM

Bill,

I've been using the Monroe Sensa-Trac #5877 ST for four years or so. They were a little bit bouncy when brand new. I like 'em just fine now.

Carl


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4595 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 19, 2009 10:31PM

I'm also using those.

Incidentally, 5877-ST is listed for the '84-'88 Dodge Colt.


MG four six eight
Bill Jacobson
Wa state
(326 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 02:15AM

Main British Car:
73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger

Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: MG four six eight
Date: August 20, 2009 01:20PM

Cool, thanks guys! I give them a try.

Bill


MG four six eight
Bill Jacobson
Wa state
(326 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 02:15AM

Main British Car:
73 MGB Buick 215, Eaton/GM supercharger

Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: MG four six eight
Date: August 21, 2009 02:52AM

Two thumbs up for the 5877 ST Sensa-tracs. My old shocks were old school (non-gas) and must have been worn. The car rides better AND handles better!

Bill



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2009 02:55AM by MG four six eight.


Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: August 21, 2009 08:02PM

Ok, You guys have my interest.

Is there a conversion kit available?

Is it advisable to convert the rears and leave the fronts stock?

Bruce


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4595 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 21, 2009 09:16PM

Bruce, maybe I should back-up and say that I'm actually NOT a fan of the el-cheapo conversion kit that I installed twenty years ago. The Dodge Colt shocks are night-and-day better than the Chevy Van (front) shocks that originally came with that kit, but in my opinion they're still not particularly good. I think properly rebuilt knee-action shocks would almost certainly be superior. Unfortunately, I discarded the leaky, old knee-action shocks that were on my car when I dragged it home.

You can find two different shock absorber conversion kits in the current Moss Motors catalog on page "A45".

The kit I bought twenty-one years ago looked exactly like the "Moss Rear Shock Kit", part number 268-126. The shock displayed in Moss's photo is clearly decaled "Sensatrac". Back then, the kit was a whole lot cheaper. Now it's listed at $238. You can buy Sensatrac shocks locally for less than $20 each, so apparently Moss thinks their brackets are worth $200.

Sometime in the last twenty-one years, almost certainly when I swapped to the Dodge Colt shocks, I realized that the Moss brackets don't add any value at all. You can install the exact same shock absorber simply by putting a long 7/16" bolt clear through the forward mounting holes on the frame!

At the bottom end of the shock absorber, as I recall, Moss provided Grade-5 7/16" bolts and nylon lock nuts to mate to the same brackets as the knee-action shocks used to connect to. (The brackets are shown on page number 50, part numbers 267-595 and 267-605.) As I recall, the trick with these brackets is to swap them right-for-left so that the shocks operate within their proper working length. Anyhow... I threw out the junky hardware Moss provided. Instead, I used Grade 8 bolts and I welded the bolts to the brackets.

I love Moss... but there are some parts I honestly believe they'd be wiser NOT to put their name on.

There's no particular need to do front and rear at the same time...



MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4559 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 21, 2009 09:44PM

I bought my kit that came with the Monroe shocks from Jack Emery for way less than a $100. The mounting bracket used the lever shock holes & bolts. The bolt for the Monroe shock was somewhere in between. I swapped & flipped the bottom shock brackets. Handling-wise I have no complaints. Kept the front lever shocks 'cause they work just fine. For a street MG, my car does pretty good in the corners.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6507 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 22, 2009 12:33AM

My car had the rear tube shock conversion when I got it. I took them off and threw them away. Put lever arm shocks on with the competition valves and ran 5-10 wt fork oil in them, switching later to atf. That was a real good setup too, works great in the mountains.

Jim


Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: August 22, 2009 12:45AM

Thanks guys

It looks like I have a nice easy project for the winter. I can make those plates. It will give me a chance to practice my welding.

Thanks Bruce


Mr. T
Tony Andrews
Kent Island, Maryland
(153 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 03:59PM

Main British Car:
'75 mgb, '74 grille, morspeed bumpers Rover 3.9

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Mr. T
Date: September 20, 2009 10:18PM

Hey Bruce,

Lowering my '75 was last winter's project. After lowering the car about an 11/2" (bottom of rear seam is approx. 7'3/8"), I did away with the moss brackets and the REAL stiff Monroe (and these were for a late 80's dodge colt) shocks as they were bottoming out. I ended up with Gabriel Guardians (supposedly not as stiff as the sensatracs and they're less than $30 a pair!) 81464 (also for a late 80's colt) and using the forward bolt hole for the top mount so they wouldn't bottom out. I looked at PAGES of shocks and these were the only ones with enough travel (15.63-10.37). If you want "custom" shocks, Mark @ Shock Finders (800.344.1966 - Monroe referred me to him) can adjust the dampening and even change the mounts - I think he charges a reasonable $55 per shock.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4559 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: September 23, 2009 09:00PM

Quote:
After lowering the car about an 11/2" (bottom of rear seam is approx. 7'3/8")

Hi Tony. Where did you measure that exactly?


Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: September 27, 2009 08:49PM

The Monroe's are a little bit more here in Canada at 52cdn each. That is 60 bucks more than you guys in the states are paying. I wonder what it will cost to have them shipped up from the states.
Will check into it and let you know for curiosity sake.


Mr. T
Tony Andrews
Kent Island, Maryland
(153 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 03:59PM

Main British Car:
'75 mgb, '74 grille, morspeed bumpers Rover 3.9

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Mr. T
Date: September 29, 2009 07:31PM

Carl - I took measurements at the bottom of the rocker flange (shouldn't have written seam) - about 5/8" height difference between front and rear flange . Mods were made per Dave Headley's Grip Tech article, but taking into account that this is a street car.

1) Cut front springs - from 10" to 9"
2) Removed 3rd spring from top and restacked the rest on top
3) Headley's axle locator kit ilo panhard rod
4) changed to red poly bushings
5) 5/8 to 3/4 sway bar
6) "uprated" rebuilt lever shocks - blew out one of them autocrossing for the 1st time in Wisconsin
* Just enough room to jam the jack under the support.

I really like the "softer" rear end - no more pogo stick (those damn old Monroe shocks). Went out on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago and flogged the car (I was hanging onto the outside door panel) in a parking lot behind an industrial building to check on any tire rubbing issues - inner fender flanges barely kissed those 205/60/14 tires - some fender rolling will take care of that. Looking forward to playing with the tire pressures next time!


Bruce Mills
Bruce Mills
Vancouver Canada
(71 posts)

Registered:
11/28/2007 09:31PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB Roadster 3.5 Rover

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Bruce Mills
Date: September 29, 2009 08:36PM

I lowered my car a few years ago (74.5RB) by installing CB front springs and having the rear springs re-arched by a local spring shop.

My measurements to the bottom of the rocker flange is 7 1/2 front and 8" rear.

Bruce



Mr. T
Tony Andrews
Kent Island, Maryland
(153 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 03:59PM

Main British Car:
'75 mgb, '74 grille, morspeed bumpers Rover 3.9

authors avatar
Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: Mr. T
Date: October 02, 2009 06:53PM

1) Since I'm cheap, I went with the work-with-what-have approach - I can always decide to add the uprated front springs, lowering blocks, etc. to the old christmas list.

2) My car is now about 7" rear and 6'1/4" front (the measurements should allow one to get a jack under the rocker support) on passenger side - the driver side has settled about a 1/2" lower - so, I'll need to remove a couple of 1/4" plates (these are cheap to make or have made) - I like using the plates better than a lowering block as it allows you to make smaller adjustments, especially as you get closer to your target height and from side to side if necessary.

3) REMINDER - while you have your leaf springs off the car - DO NOT forget to swap them from side to side, as your passenger side is probably higher than the driver side - I forgot!

4) Curtis - a bunch of us ought to bug (I'll start) Dave Headley about doing a "grip" tech session in Indianapolis - his name and suspension parts keep popping up in those race car articles you're doing.


73GT
Anthony Pregent
Northern Virginia
(7 posts)

Registered:
03/27/2010 11:47AM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB GT OE

Re: MGB Monroe rear tube shock part#
Posted by: 73GT
Date: April 18, 2010 04:33PM

Ok, this was my first project with the car as it seemed straightforward enough. The job itself wasn't involved. In fact, it may be one of the easiest things I ever do to the car. The major tidbit that I might throw in is the need to have 7/16 bolts that are 6 inches long on hand for the upper mount on the tube shocks. You will also want to be sure to have a lot of washers on hand so that you can try to get the geometry at least close to correct. Trying to find a grade 8, coarse thread, 6 inch, 7/16 bolt on a Sunday just doesn't pan out. I wouldn't be comfortable pushing the car around a track with that many washers spacing it out but I'm comfortable with it for now thanks to the split washers and the fact that its just going to see normal use for the time being. Plus this is just a temporary suspension setup compared to my eventual plans. I highly recommend it though, great improvement.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4559 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Rear tube shocks
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: April 27, 2014 09:11AM

Let's discuss tube shocks. Not interested in hearing about Armstrong lever shocks. This isn't the MGB Purists Forum. :)

I have been running the Monroe ST5877 (some use #5896) for years. Bit bouncy when new. Here's a spec sheet for Monroes.

[www.monroe.com]

I am interested in a bolt-in replacement that is adjustable & works in a lowered MG aplication. GAZ, maybe? anyone have suggestions & parts numbers?


Capt'n Moorgone
Mike Moor
Angola,IN
(116 posts)

Registered:
11/20/2008 07:05PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB 300 Buick

authors avatar
Re: Rear tube shocks
Posted by: Capt'n Moorgone
Date: April 27, 2014 02:36PM

Carl,
I've been using VW Beetle shocks for years on the rear. You have to ream out the mounting sleeves to 1/2". They are 7/16". Should be a lot of options for that app. Mine are KYB non-adjustable. Mike


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Rear tube shocks
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: April 27, 2014 04:39PM

I've had VW shocks on the rear for years too, and wouldn't take for them.


Paul
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