MGExp

MGB & GT Forum

71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension

Moss Motors
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic
71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#1
  This topic is about my 1973 MG MGB
Queenmgb Avatar
Queenmgb Nicholas B
Atlanta, GA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1973 MG MGB
Hi all,

Since I got my 1973 MGB Roadster I have wanted to lower the front. It seemed to sit too high to me, much higher than the rear. Sort of makes it look like one of those squatted trucks sad smiley. I was looking for lowering springs for a chrome bumper MGB, as to my understanding the suspension never changed until the rubber bumper cars, but I noticed that a front spring for a 1971 MGB on MOSS was a different part than one for a 1973. I've also always felt that the earlier CB cars sat a little lower in the front than mine. Does anyone know if a 1973 MG is higher than a 71 from factory, and/or how to fix this/lower it? Any help is greatly appreciated.

*Picture attached to show how it sits*

Thanks!


Attachments:
Screenshot 2024-04-26 11.17.33 AM.jpg    20.1 KB
Screenshot 2024-04-26 11.17.33 AM.jpg

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
. Become a Supporting Member to hide this ad & support a small business
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#2
ClayJ Avatar
ClayJ Silver Member Clay Johnston
Mt. Olive, MS, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1972 MG MGB
This article might give you some reference: https://www.mgexp.com/article/mgb-ride-height-survey.163

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
  Queenmgb thanked ClayJ for this post
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#3
ingoldsb Avatar
ingoldsb Silver Member Terry Ingoldsby
Calgary, AB, Canada   CAN
Sign in to contact
1971 MG MGB
I believe that there were very small changes to the spring rates over the years. Some were meant to deal with variations in weight. Others involved compensating for the cars being tied down very firmly during shipping. I doubt you'll see more than a 1/4" difference in height with the various CB springs.

More likely, your 1971 car's springs had fatigued and the car sat lower than your 1973 car. Also, aftermarket replacement springs are notorious for sitting at slightly different heights. The replacement rear springs on my 1971 sat almost an inch higher when first installed. After a few months usage the faded down to the stock height. Maybe the manufacturer took that into account in their manufacture.


Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
  Queenmgb thanked ingoldsb for this post
. Become a Supporting Member to hide this ad & support a small business
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#4
mgb281 Silver Member Philip Waterman
Taunton, Somerset, UK   GBR
Sign in to contact
1972 MG MGB GT
1972 MG MGB GT
Here is a table of MGA and MGB front coil spring specs;
https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/fs113.htm
I have often read but have no idea if it is correct that the MGOC springs are the most correct specification,

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
  riley1489 and Queenmgb thanked mgb281 for this post
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#5
BH Davis Avatar
BH Davis Gold Member
Grosvenordale, CT &, Warren, VT, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1968 MG MGB GT "Primrose"
1973 MG MGB
How are the rear leaf springs? Maybe you have a little sag back there.

BH

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#6
lewisrn Avatar
lewisrn Gold Member Bob L
Danville, IN, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1980 MG MGB "The "B"
Photo?

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#7
Arizona Shorty Avatar
Arizona Shorty Greg McC
Prescott, AZ, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1968 Jeep CJ-5
1975 Yamaha MC RD350
1977 MG MGB
1985 Jeep CJ-7
The angle of the photo isn't ideal for judging how it sits, but it looks to me as if the rear is lower than it should be, which might make the front appear to be higher than it is. That is, perhaps you need to address the rear springs rather than the front. Raising the rear will likely also drop the front just a bit.

A side on photo would help, as well as photos of the front and rear suspension such that the springs and arms are visible.


GMc


Wait for me at the gate Tuffy, because without you they're never gonna let me in.

SDCH WTCH-X Twin Oaks Tuff Nutt
2008 - 2022

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#8
lewisrn Avatar
lewisrn Gold Member Bob L
Danville, IN, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1980 MG MGB "The "B"
Measure from center of wheel hub to bottom of trim strip on all 4 corners and report back.

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#9
Basil Adams Avatar
Basil Adams Platinum Member
About 12 miles from Sears Point, CA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
Okay, let's answer the man's question. MGB roadster springs from 1963- 1972 (car #293445) were 9.9 long. From 1973-1980, they were 10.2" long. All GT springs were 9.625" long but much stiffer. If you want to take a little height off a 1973, switching to 1972 and prior springs will lower the car about .3" Using a GT spring will lower it about .6" and it will also stiffen the front end. 1962-1972 springs are in stock, list for $41.99 and I have them for $35 each. GT Springs are in stock, list for $36.99 and I have them for $32.50. Thanks. 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

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
  Noble66 and Queenmgb thanked Basil Adams for this post
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#10
Queenmgb Avatar
Queenmgb Nicholas B
Atlanta, GA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1973 MG MGB
Took a look over the weekend, you're right, They're pretty worn out, I think that's what's the bulk of my issue. Thank you all for your help, it's greatly appreciated !

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#11
V8MGBV8 Avatar
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
Take the measurements with the car on a level surface.

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#12
Dwight Avatar
Dwight Dwight McCullough
Ham Lake, MN, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1974 MG MGB "THE 'B"
1975 MG MGB "Da ' B"
1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE) "N.A."
Moss, catalog shows 4 part numbers. One is for a pair of springs.

RD to 293445. RD 264-380, 264-391 for GT's..

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 71 vs 73 MGB Front Suspension
#13
Dwight Avatar
Dwight Dwight McCullough
Ham Lake, MN, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1974 MG MGB "THE 'B"
1975 MG MGB "Da ' B"
1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE) "N.A."
https://mossmotors.com/mgb/suspension-steering/front-suspension

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

To reply or ask your own question:

or

Registration is FREE and takes less than a minute

Forums  

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Read the Forum Help (FAQ) or contact the webmaster





Join The Club
Sign in to ask questions, share photos, and access all website features
Forum List
MGB & GT MG Midget Buy, Sell & Trade Vendor Market MG Performance MG Engine Swaps Factory Correct MGA MGC MG Magnette 1100 & 1300 T-Series & Prewar EV Conversion Modern MG MG Motorsports Events & Meetup MG 2024 Katy Texas Other Vehicles Off Topic Clubs Archived
Your Cars
1973 MG Midget MkIII
David D   GBR
1973 Midget MkIII
Text Size
Larger Smaller
Reset Save