mstemp Mike Stemp Calgary, Canada (222 posts) Registered: 11/25/2009 07:18AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB Rover 4.6L |
Re: Changing front suspension
Abe,
If you go to the Moss UK site you can download the directions. You need to drill a 1 3/4" hole for the upper shock mount. This it easily done with a hole saw, or you can drill a brunch of small hole as Moss says. It's in a location under the original leaver shock so it's of no consequence. I think people are confused with the Hawks conversion, where you make more significant modifications. |
WernerVC Werner Van Clapdurp Lynchburg, Va (108 posts) Registered: 09/06/2009 12:56PM Main British Car: MGB 1977 Rover 3.5 |
Re: Changing front suspension
Abe,
The modifications need to be done on the John Hoyle front suspension. The bump stops need to be cut off and some welding is required. I bought his unit a couple of years ago but haven't installed on my car. It is very robust build and has GAZ adjustable coil-over shocks. I do not know the importer here in the USA but for a while the were available from a business in CA. Werner |
Re: Changing front suspension
I will not be using the Hoyle unit i went with the MOSS unit look a little easier and cost a lot less.
[www.mossmotors.com] |
Re: Changing front suspension
Hi all,
Finally had time to put in the Moss Coil Over in my 80B with a 305 crate engine with aluminum heads. Does anyone know about how many turns it takes on the spring height adjuster to get it to 15in from the center hub to the arch of the wheel well? |
avbates Tony Bates San Jose California (25 posts) Registered: 03/22/2008 12:16PM Main British Car: 74 MGB roadster 4.2 litre Rover |
Re: Changing front suspension
Just adjust to preference. I started with mine on the lowest setting and went from there. Remember to role it back and fowrds between each adjustment to settle the suspension
|
Re: Changing front suspension
The weather finally broke here in TN it got to 28 and took the car out for a ride and frontend alignment, when I got home it measured 14.5 from the center of the hub to the bottom of the chrome strip. The ride was great it was well worth the time and money.
|
|
britcars Phil Ossinger New Brunswick, Canada (346 posts) Registered: 02/02/2009 07:58PM Main British Car: 1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA! |
Re: Changing front suspension
{Abe,The modifications need to be done on the John Hoyle front suspension. The bump stops need to be cut off and some welding is required. I bought his unit a couple of years ago but haven't installed on my car. It is very robust build and has GAZ adjustable coil-over shocks. I do not know the importer here in the USA but for a while the were available from a business in CA.
Werner} Gaz shocks and springs are available here. [www.coilovershock.com] Brunton Performance Products in FL. Phil |
DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Changing front suspension
At the chance of inciting a riot " what's wrong with the Arrmstrong lever shock"?
It's simple, It's rebuild-able, It's tune-able, unsprung weight is reduced and it's precise. Unless your suspension improvement includes a pivot point change you 're probably going backwards. So are we doing coil over to be cool or is it a real improvement? All hail the mighty "B" cam. Fred |
roverman Art Gertz Winchester, CA. (3188 posts) Registered: 04/24/2009 11:02AM Main British Car: 74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L |
Re: Changing front suspension
Yes, and even "More British", friction shocks never leak oil. Good Show Fred !
|
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4576 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: Changing front suspension
Quote: To be cool... but coilovers make ride height adjustment quick, easy, and precise. IMHO that's worth a lot. Alternative springs for coilovers are relatively cost effective. These coilover shocks come with adjustable valving. (You can buy Armstrongs with adjustable valving too.) Basically, you're ending up with a suspension that's far easier to tune than stock. |
DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
Re: Changing front suspension
I absolutely agree with you Curtis.
Was just trying to make a point. Changing something just because everyone else is. Isn't always the best choice. If you take the time to educate yourself. And then do what makes sense to you. You can't go wrong. Cheers Fred |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: Changing front suspension
I have to agree on the ride height adjustment advantage. Must be nice, cause I have had four different sets of coil springs in my stock front end & it's still not quite where I want it.
|
BlownMGB-V8 Jim Blackwood 9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042 (6468 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 12:59PM Main British Car: 1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS |
Re: Changing front suspension
You can use spacers under the coil springs though, I think we put about a 3/4" spacer under the RM.
In terms of the shock itself, the Armstrong is superior in many ways such as strength of the components, size of pistons, ability to use different weight oils, ease of changing valving and now the availability of remote external adjusters. When used as a component of the suspension such as on the front of the MG it has minimal effect on unsprung weight. But it is more expensive, and is a maintenance item as you must periodically check the oil level. On the coil-over, the spring is very compact which makes it a highly stressed component. The end bushings are also highly stressed. Coil-overs have other faults as well, but they are a very simple solution when making a custom design. That does not make them a superior solution. Sometimes easy just overrules best practices. Which doesn't make them bad either, but how often do you see them on production cars? That might be a clue. Jim |
Re: Changing front suspension
I had to change out my Armstrong shocks because they were leaking from the bushings and also the springs were shot, the car has 135,000 miles on it. Was able to adjust the ride height to 14in and the steering seems to be lighter also and let’s not forget about the cool factor….
|
|
Re: Changing front suspension
Has anyone have a problem with the GAZ shock lower bushing breaking apart? Was under the car and noticed that the rubber ends of the bushing are crumbling and are falling apart when I touch them.
|
mstemp Mike Stemp Calgary, Canada (222 posts) Registered: 11/25/2009 07:18AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB Rover 4.6L |
Re: Changing front suspension
The Gaz bushings are junk! Use three sets from Energy bushings. Three because you have to cut one set for the extra width in the centre. At least I think it was the bottom that needed the three. My Moss coil over kit with Gaz shocks lasted all of 300 miles before the bushings were toast. Others will say it's too much to expect a poly bush to hold the weight of a car but that's is how it was designed so it better work in my mind, or else Moss and Gaz have some explaining to do! Nylatron may be a better choice for the bushings but also may be harsher etc.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2014 12:07AM by mstemp. |
mstemp Mike Stemp Calgary, Canada (222 posts) Registered: 11/25/2009 07:18AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB Rover 4.6L |
Re: Changing front suspension
Energy 99105g. I have only had the new ones on for a few months, time will tell if they hold up any better. The stock GAZ replacement bushings from Moss looked so poor I never considered installing them.
|