MGExp

MGB & GT Forum

74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement

. Become a Supporting Member to hide the ad above & support a small business
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
AutoShrine Sponsor
Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic
74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#1
MagnumRT05 Richard F.
Cleveland, OH, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1974 MG MGB
Finally got my 74 MGB out of storage and it seems to have developed a leak on the drive home. I assume its the front shock absorber as there is mineral oil all over the ground. It seems to be coming from the arm (I have attached a photo). Please correct me if I am wrong however.

My questions are, how difficult is it to replace? And more importantly, is there anything else I should buy while I am under there (bushings/etc)? The car hasnt been driven much over the last 7+years, and I dont recall any new front suspension components over those years either.


Attachments:
get-attachment.aspx.jpeg    56.2 KB
get-attachment.aspx.jpeg

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
. Become a Supporting Member to hide the ad above & support a small business
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#2
dickmoritz Avatar
dickmoritz Platinum Member Dick Moritz
Philly 'burbs, PA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
Richard,

Indeed a leaking shock. I'd recommend that you remove both front shocks and send them off to Peter Caldwell at World Wide. You can find his contact info in the Directory on the left side of your screen, and he is a long-time and respected member of this Forum, and also pretty much the source for refurbishing lever shocks. You'll find many, many satisfied customers here on the MGE.

Might-as-wells include rebuilding king pins and replacing bushings. Some prefer stock bushings, some prefer poly. You might also replace sway bar links and bushings. Do a search and check the library for more info. All depends on how well it rides and how deeply you want to get into the front end. Unlike the rear leaf springs, front springs often do not require replacement unless there is noticeable sag in the front end.

Dick


Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#3
ClayJ Avatar
ClayJ Silver Member Clay Johnston
Mt. Olive, MS, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1972 MG MGB
Richard,
Welcome to the land of "might-as-wells". This can range anywhere from replace the shock to a full front-suspension rebuild to "might-as-well" do the rear at the same time.

On the other hand, you could fill will oil periodically and use thru the driving season, repair while its snowing! As long as its not rattling or banging, probably no harm to drive it. Might check with Peter Cadwell on that suggestion.

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#4
MagnumRT05 Richard F.
Cleveland, OH, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1974 MG MGB
Thanks guys. As a matter of fact, I found World Wide on ebay after posting this thread. It looks like their "improved" design is a must upgrade. I suppose I could fill the leaky shock periodically, but the darn thing is leaking pretty good and making a mess everywhere.

And I think some poly bushings will be on the list as well. Fairly inexpensive and Im sure I have some brittle ones anyway due to this climate.

Are there any special tools required for the shock install or is it straightforward? I had a Bentley manual somewhere that Im sure would tell me, but it seems to have been misplaced...

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
. Become a Supporting Member to hide the ad above & support a small business
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#5
dickmoritz Avatar
dickmoritz Platinum Member Dick Moritz
Philly 'burbs, PA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
Richard,

Shocks are a bolt-on... smiling bouncing smiley

Dick


Errabundi Saepe, Semper Certi
(Often wrong, but always certain)

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#6
MH71MGB Avatar
MH71MGB Paul Burgess
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada   CAN
Sign in to contact
1971 MG 14/28
Hi Richard
am in process of doing my bushings already purchased from Basil Adams a fellow MGE`r basiladams@yahoo.com best price and good to deal with.
Cheers
Paul

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#7
Jim Lema Avatar
Jim Lema Silver Member
Edmonds, WA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1967 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB
World Wide, great service and life time warranty. I replaced my front shocks and not a sign of a leak in four years. Easy job, just do it!

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#8
rrmgb Avatar
rrmgb Silver Member robert schau
Ft Myers, FL, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1973 MG MGB
1973 MG MGB
Yes the shocks are 4 bolts to remove AND
The shock link bolt to kingpin!
Support the spring pan solidly, loosen pinch bolt in shack arm, remove link bolt at end of arm (hope it comes out easily). Be careful as the stub axle/king pin will want to fall away or pivot
downward. You dont want to put stress on your brake flex line. Finally remove
4 shock mounting bolts. To replace you may have to jam a flat blade screwdriver
into the space between the shock levers where the pinch bolt goes.
RS


"It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time."
Sir Winston Churchill
---------------------------------------------------------------
"It all starts in your mind's eye, then it goes to your heart
and finally to your very soul."
G.S.George PHD

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
about 2 years and 7 months later...
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#9
missileer79 David T
Huntsville, AL, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
This message is for Robert Schau. You said in your response to removing the shock absorber, "...remove link bolt at end of arm (hope it comes out easily). Be careful as the stub axle/king pin will want to fall away or pivot
downward." Well that darned link bolt (horizontal pin on the lever arm) isn't coming out. Suggestions?

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Re: 74 MGB - Shock Absorber Replacement
#10
xcoastie Avatar
xcoastie Eric Meissner
Warminster, PA, USA   USA
Sign in to contact
1974 MG MGB
Unless you have an oxy/acetelyne rig to heat it, use a cut off wheel in an angle grinder and cut the nut end off then drive what remains out with a small sledgehammer and a punch/drift. Be prepared to swear a lot. Some folks go the penetrating oil route but I didn't have any luck with mine. Replacement bolts are available.


Eric - xcoastie
ET2/E5 Vessel Shore Electronic Support USCG Station Great Egg 81 - 85
1974 Last of the chrome bumpers with Sabrina's
1971 Engine
4 speed synchro, non OD
"A work in progress"

Reply
Was this post helpful or interesting?
Yes No Thank
Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic
. Become a Supporting Member to hide the ad above & support a small business

To reply or ask your own question:

or

Registration is FREE and takes less than a minute

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Read the Forum Help (FAQ) or click Contact Support at the bottom of the page.



. Become a Supporting Member to hide the ad above & support a small business


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
1972 MG MGB
Steve Frazer   Silver Member USA
1972 MGB
Text Size
Larger Smaller
Reset Save