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MG MGA - A anti-roll bars

MY '57 A is now well sorted except for a lot of body roll with modern radials. Do I need F&R bars or just the front ? Are they available in Australia ? I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel, so I would appreciate any advice on the subject.
P.S., I don't want to lower it as the ride is quite good for a 50yr. old [ I'm nearly a quater of a centuary ahead of it ] Thanks Sean
S Sherry

I think you'd like the improvement from adding the front anti sway bar from the 1600 or MKII. It requires a modification to the front frame extension or finding a 1600 frame extension for your car. There are aftermarket bars that bolt on the bottom of the frame extension which would be ok also. Here's a link to Eclectic Motorworks web site where they show the steps to modify the frame extension for the bar. http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/swaybar.html
Bill Young

Sean,
The easiest solution is to find the roll bar from a MGB (9/16" diameter) including the front lower A arm with the roll bar link reinforcement welded in. It is not that difficult to modify the A arm if you can do a little fabrication. If you prefer a little stiffer ride get an aftermarket 5/8" diameter bar. Hope this helps and have a good day!

John
John Progess

check out mgaguru.com

Barney has posted a few ways of adding the front bar. I submitted an article to him about installation above the frame where its supposed to be- ad more difficult to install when assembled.

-BMC.
BMC Brian McCullough

Nobody has mentioned the Moss kit - GAC2004X.

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=749

A picture of the kit in their recent catalogue looks much more like the original than that on the web page.
I intend to fit one to my Mk II during the rebuild.

I have the MGB type on my 1600 and it makes a big
improvement to the handling.

Neil
Neil McGurk

While we are on the subject of anti-roll bar's.

Can someone clarify the issue of increasing the diamter of a front anti-roll bar and the effect it has on oversteer or understeer charcteristics? assuming everything (shock absorbers, tyre pressures etc) else remains constant

Regards...John
J Bray

Best you all refer to http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/suspensn/susp1.htm - Barney has a most descriptve analysis of issues relating to antisway/roll bars
Joe Gates

I installed ADDCO bars on front and rear during restoration fifteen years ago. I removed the rear one some years later and noticed no difference in handling. I've never driven an MGA without a sway bar, but I've always been very happy with the handling of the car on any type of road. Marv Stuart
Marvin Stuart

I had both front and rear sway bars for a VERY short while some years ago. Rear sway bar is a big mistake. With stock MGA suspension the leaf springs are too stiff to begin with and will lift the inside rear wheel off the pavement in a hard turn. This overloads the outside rear tire and causes dramatic over steer, meaning the car wants to go sideways, or even backward if you take your foot off the throttle at the wrong time.

For original type bias ply tires, the original 9/16" or 5/8" front sway bar is okay (not great, but much better than none), but 3/4" is a bit better. For modern street radial tires a 3/4" sway bar is perfect. A 7/8" sway bar is a nice improvement for sticky race tires, but is overkill for street tires. Original top mount is nice for concours show. After market bottom mount works just as well and is much easier to install after the car is assembled.
Barney Gaylord

I was just at the Moss USA suite and I noticed that they have added a top mount sway bar kit for the MGA.

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=64189


G Masor

My race MGA only has a 7/8" bar at the front and handles like a dream! I also have 550lb front springs - 1" shorter than original - and the rear is softened by moving the bottom "short" leaf to the top.(to comply with local race class rules - otherwise I would just leave it off) All shockies are lever arm with firmer settings. For "spirited" road use, I agree with Barney - firm front bar is all that is needed. Firmer shocks would be my next improvement. (Not too firm!)
Dave
David Godwin

Barney is exactly correct. Front bar only and a 3/4" makes a good choice for the street. I prefer using the MGB competition 3/4" as the end links are superior to most aftermarket bars.

If you want an article on fitting one below the front horns get in touch (I think Barney has it on his site as well)
Bill Spohn

This thread was discussed between 27/12/2007 and 01/01/2008

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