Coil Spring : MGA Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Coil Spring #1
jackalley Jeff Allen Mass, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: July 08, 2012 08:47PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 240

Was just on Barny's site and couldn't find the specs on the coil springs. This is my old one on the right and the new one from VB on the left.
Either I *really* needed a new coil spring or I got some trouble ahead... Old one measures about 9in, new one about 10 in.

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Re: Coil Spring #2
RJBrown Randy Brown Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 1958 MG MGA 1500 Coupe 1960 MG MGA 1600 "Later" 1962 MG MGA MkII	Posted: July 08, 2012 09:07PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 805

Length is only one spec of a coil spring. Much more important is how much weight it will support at its installed length. And the spring rate. Barney has a spring rate chart. Enter spring rate in the search window and you will find it.

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Re: Coil Spring #3
Gary E Gary Edwards Kernersville, ,N.C., USA 1962 MG MGA MkII 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: July 08, 2012 09:35PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,222

I replaced the new Moss springs on my MK II with used ones. The new ones gave it a John Deere ride height.

Gary

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Re: Coil Spring #4
Jay N Jay Newsome Clovis, CA, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500	Posted: July 08, 2012 10:00PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 122

Jeff,

I replaced the springs on my 1500 with a set from LBCar Co. They where the same length as the VB replacement in your picture: 10 inches. I have not had any problems and I don't notice any change in ride height. Just replace them as a set.

The spring on the left is the replacement. Middle spring and right are the originals. The shorter right spring is the reason I replaced them both.

Hope this helps.

Jay

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Attachments:

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Re: Coil Spring #5
jackalley Jeff Allen Mass, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: July 08, 2012 10:31PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 240

Thanks Jay

At least I know I don't have an obvious problem...

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Re: Coil Spring #6
michalakmj Mark Michalak Chicago, USA 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Hilda" 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Mr. Belvidere" 1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe	Posted: July 08, 2012 10:58PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 285

10" is not the right spring height for an MGA. That's what moss sold as a replacement for the MGA as an "upgrade" to "twin cam"/MGB GT springs. Like a one size fits all proposition. But if you read the chart you'll see that twin cam springs are about 9" where the original springs were 8.8". And GT springs are supposed to be 9.1 to 9.3". Moss now lists front coil springs as N/A.

I rebuilt my entire front suspension last year and used twin cam springs from Scarborough Faire, which are the correct dimensions for the MGA. My ride height is perfect. If you put those 10 inchers on your car I doubt you'll like the results.

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Re: Coil Spring #7
Basil Adams About 12 miles from Sears Point, USA	Posted: July 09, 2012 01:07AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,991

If there's a handling or ride height problem, just cut a coil off - you do not change the spring rate by removing all or part of a coil. Basil 707.762.0974 basiladams@yahoo.com

Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

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Re: Coil Spring #8
barneymg Barney Gaylord Naperville, Illinois, USA 1958 MG MGA "MGA With An Attitude"	Posted: July 09, 2012 05:56AM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 2,155

From July 1972 on MGB has coil springs 10.2" long with spring rate 348-lb/in.
No other MGA or MGB springs were that long. If the rest of the spec matches the length, that new one must be a late production MGB spring. No way that will work in the MGA. Ir will likely leave the front of the car sitting nearly 2" too high.

The first 5000 or so MGA 1500 had 9.28-in long 348-lb/in springs.
All the rest (except TwinCam) had 8.88-in long 480-lb/in springs.

MGA and MGB coil spring chart is here:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/fs113.htm

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude - http://MGAguru.com
Notice: - Do not leave a PM for me on the forum server. Send any private message to my personal e-mail address barneymg@mgaguru.com

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Re: Coil Spring #9
jackalley Jeff Allen Mass, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600	Posted: July 09, 2012 10:40AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 240

Damn...

Looks like I do have a problem. Anyone have a good source for the correct 8.88-in long 480-lb/in springs?

Jeff

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Re: Coil Spring #10
Jay N Jay Newsome Clovis, CA, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500	Posted: July 09, 2012 12:22PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 122

Jeff

I don't think it's that big of an issue. As I said in my previous post I have been using the 10" springs since February. Four months and about 400 miles and I've yet to flip over, slide into a ditch, or spin out of control. Recently I drove a very twisty, hilly 50 mile run through the central California foothills and she handled fine. Even without a sway bar. It does ride a little higher than before. But I don't have a problem with that since my previous springs didn't match and I would scrape the front license entering a driveway.

When I get home tonight I'll measure the ride height from the center of the main front crossmember and post it. Additionally I'll include the distance from the bottom edge of the top of the wheel well to the center of the front hub. This may be a more uniform value (no tire size influence.) Maybe other members can post their results and we'll compare.

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Re: Coil Spring #11
michalakmj Mark Michalak Chicago, USA 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Hilda" 1958 MG Magnette ZB "Mr. Belvidere" 1960 MG MGA 1600 Coupe	Posted: July 09, 2012 12:28PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 285

Like I said, Scarborough Faire has the right springs. You can get standard or twin cam springs.

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Re: Coil Spring #12
Jay N Jay Newsome Clovis, CA, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500	Posted: July 09, 2012 03:21PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 122

Went home at lunch measured the distance from lower edge of the top of wheel well to center of the hub on each side. Rear is included for completeness.

Right Front 15.75", Left Front 15.25", Right Rear 15", Left Rear 14.5"

The front springs are 10" replacements. Urethane bushings. Rear springs are original with urethane bushings.

How do these measurements compare with original springs? Or do they compare at all? Original or not.

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Re: Coil Spring #13
cw6er Chris Wright Columbus, IN (Indy 500 area), USA	Posted: July 09, 2012 03:54PM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 92

In reply to # 2115670 by Jay N Went home at lunch measured the distance from lower edge of the top of wheel well to center of the hub on each side. Rear is included for completeness.

Right Front 15.75", Left Front 15.25", Right Rear 15", Left Rear 14.5"

The front springs are 10" replacements. Urethane bushings. Rear springs are original with urethane bushings.

How do these measurements compare with original springs? Or do they compare at all? Original or not.

Measurements (approx), top of wheel well to center of the hub:
Front L&R 14-1/2"
Rear R 14-1/4"
(couldn't get to the left rear - Car is striped for painting)

'59 1500 - First car I ever bought in '68 and I still have it.
'60 1600
'67 MG 1100 Sports Sedan
'87 BMW 635

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Re: Coil Spring #14
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: July 09, 2012 07:31PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,660

You could try pushing down on the springs to see how easy they are to compress, and what height they are at when compressed.

put a board on top and stand on the board. have your wife measure from the floor to the bottom of the board for both springs (one at a time). Since you weigh the same both times, that will tell you if the longer spring is longer because it has a softer spring rate.

Might be ok.

JIM

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Re: Coil Spring #15
Biggins Bill Biggins Perth, Australia 1959 MG MGA	Posted: July 09, 2012 11:56PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 2

Jeff,

I purchased new springs from MGOC spares in UK a few weeks ago. I believe they are the correct spec.

1 - COIL SPRING MGA 1500&1600 AHH5546 notes
Price: £17.95 Including VAT at 20%

This is a note from their website
1 - COIL SPRING MGA 1500&1600 AHH5546

MGA 1500 FROM (C) 15152, ALL 1600 & 1600 MK2 EXCEPT MK2 DELUXE
For MK2 DELUXE & TWINCAM USE AHH5789

For MGA 1500 UP TO 15151 USE MM264-330

http://www.mgocspares.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_SPARES_FRONT__MGA__320.html

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Re: Coil Spring #16
Jay N Jay Newsome Clovis, CA, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500	Posted: July 10, 2012 12:25AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 122

In reply to # 2115710 by cw6er

In reply to # 2115670 by Jay N Went home at lunch measured the distance from lower edge of the top of wheel well to center of the hub on each side. Rear is included for completeness.

Right Front 15.75", Left Front 15.25", Right Rear 15", Left Rear 14.5"

The front springs are 10" replacements. Urethane bushings. Rear springs are original with urethane bushings.

How do these measurements compare with original springs? Or do they compare at all? Original or not.

Measurements (approx), top of wheel well to center of the hub:
Front L&R 14-1/2"
Rear R 14-1/4"
(couldn't get to the left rear - Car is striped for painting)

It appears my car rides about an inch taller in front than Chris' (assuming his car has original springs.) Actually I ruminated for a while whether to keep the long springs or search for something else. Obviously I installed them, I'm happy with them, and I've since moved on to other issues. Well Jeff I hope this helps.

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Re: Coil Spring #17
dfriswell David Friswell BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, USA 1960 MG MGA 1600 "The G"	Posted: July 10, 2012 07:36AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 373

I installed the new Suplex springs from Moss (for the B) and am quite happy.

Lowers the front just a little and has a slightly higher rate:

264-396 $112.50
SPRING SET, Front Coil - Road, Sprint
Note: Rating (lb): 550
Free Height (ins.): 8.25
MGB, GT & V8

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Re: Coil Spring #18
cw6er Chris Wright Columbus, IN (Indy 500 area), USA	Posted: July 10, 2012 11:45AM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 92

I know nothing about spring rates, but I am astounded by how stiff these springs seem to be for as small as the "A" is. eye popping smiley

My BMW 635 is half again as heavy and uses a spring rate of only 166 lb/in. confused smiley

The "///M" package is only 193 lb/in and tuners like Alpina and Dinan using 200 lb/in with Eibach and H&R at 220 lb/in and RD at 274 lb/in for their "Race" springs. Of course a true prepared car goes to coil-overs where 400 lb/in and 500 lb/in can be had but the cars ride like log wagons and really aren't streetable.

Am I comparing apples and oranges here? Are spring rates only meaningful with other information?

'59 1500 - First car I ever bought in '68 and I still have it.
'60 1600
'67 MG 1100 Sports Sedan
'87 BMW 635

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Re: Coil Spring #19
barneymg Barney Gaylord Naperville, Illinois, USA 1958 MG MGA "MGA With An Attitude"	Posted: July 10, 2012 12:54PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 2,155

Spring rates are only meaningful if you know the suspension geometry. MGA rear leaf springs have spring rate of only 125-lb/in, but they are direct acting 1:1 mechanical ratio between frame and rear axle. They compress 3.6 inches to carry 450 pounds each. The front coil springs have roughly 1:2 mechanical dis-advantage on the lower A-arms, so they only compress 1/2 inch for each inch of wheel lift, have to carry twice the load, and have double the spring rate. A McPherson strut in a newer car typically attaches very close to the wheel, more direct acting, more like 1:1 mechanical ratio, twice as much travel for similar wheel lift, so about half the spring rate. MG front springs are a bit on the stiff side my modern standards, but the 480-lb/in coil on an A-arm is about equal to 240-lb-in on a McPherson strut.

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude - http://MGAguru.com
Notice: - Do not leave a PM for me on the forum server. Send any private message to my personal e-mail address barneymg@mgaguru.com

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Re: Coil Spring #20
cw6er Chris Wright Columbus, IN (Indy 500 area), USA	Posted: July 10, 2012 03:38PM Registered: 10 months ago Posts: 92

Ahh ... Of course, I knew I had to be missing something, i.e. the difference in length of the lever arms acting on the springs!

Thanks for the clear explanation, I love leaning new stuff. cool smiley

'59 1500 - First car I ever bought in '68 and I still have it.
'60 1600
'67 MG 1100 Sports Sedan
'87 BMW 635

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