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MG MGB Technical - GAZ shock absorbers angle

http://www.gaz-shocks.co.uk/product.html
The GP coil over adjustable shock absorber, 1.25 inch, 18 long.
Does anyone know of a reason why it would not be possible to use these shock absorbers at an angle of between 22 and 35 degrees from vertical.
There are a number of reasons to do this,
-I would like to use a SPAX style adaptor which locates the shocker top above and between the armstrong bolts.
-I get an extra inch of travel because they are on an angle. This is important because the longest I could fit have 5.5 inches or vertical travel and I would like to have 6.5, which is about standard for MGB's
-I can locate the bottom bolt more centrally under the rear axle. I am setting up a trailing three link and obviously I would like to have the weight of the car close to where the bottom arm attaches.
Peter Sherman

Peter, have you considered the conversions which mount the tele shock in the vertical plane ? These are readily available in Oz. To my mind, they make more sense. Plus the fact that the original lever type shockers used a vertical action. When the shocker is mounted at an angle, it has to swivel as well as compress or extend. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Hi Barrie,
I am chasing that extra inch of movement.
I can set it up vertical, but I lose that inch of travel and the bottom bolt moves away from the axle centre line.

The 18 GAZ was the longest availiable and really the longest that would fit. Solid height of 14.5 inches.
The 18 GAZ's have 5.5 inches of travel with a one inch bump stop in place, 6.5 without.if I have 3 inches of downward suspension travel at ride height I only get 2.5 upward movement, which might not be enough and lift weight off the inside wheel in corners.
I could always remove or cut that bump stop in half as well as relying on the car bump stops. However I want to look at other options first. Aside from travel issues, the bracket would end up being a little lighter and easier to make. At the moment I am looking at all the options and trying to keep an open mind.
Just out of interest , do you have any info' on where you get the vertical adapter plates? If they are not too expensive they might be the best option (even if I do lose an inch of upward travel.
Peter Sherman

I wonder if the swivel is a good thing.
On vertical the rubber bushes must take the strain, on an angle the shocker swivels a few degrees. Also the bottom bush will rotate a little less and the top bush a little more.
The two halves of the unit rotate easily enough, however constantly doing this might be very bad. This is what I need to know.
Peter Sherman

Peter,

I made a upper bracket to accomodate shock in vertical position. Very easy to do. And for the shock, you need a shock between 8.5"/14" to be suitable.

It does not stress rear suspension with angle. I have a draw somewhere and could send it to you if you want to take that route.

Cheers,

JGC
Jean Guy Catford

Shocks mounted at an angle have been used for many years on most US cars & trucks as well as most all motorcycles.
John H

John H, agreed, but the angle has been in the side to side position not in the fore/aft posn. It would be advantageous to have some side to side angle, but there isn't room for it in an MGB.
Peter, the MG Centre of Sydney sells them. I believe Adrian Akhust in Adelaide sells them & I would be very surprised if the the MG Workshop in Melbourne didn't sell them. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

Thanks everyone for you input.

I managed to get in contact with the GAZ people in the UK. They came back with "slightly higher wear rate with the side load on the rod guides & seals but many of our units are fitted like this".

I've been directed to this site, unfortunatly he's retired now I believe, not sure .
http://www.mgbmga.com/tech/mgb13a.htm
This is pretty visualizes much what I have in mind, if you substitute a coilover and heavier arm/link.
I'm not sure if you can get slightly (10%)progressive coil over springs, but I'll try. Does anyone have any leads?
I'd like to try and use a common bottom bolt, but that might not be possible. Certainly two bolts fairly close together.
For the upper middle link bracket I am going to extend the upper right diff' cage bolt, three inches, all the way out through the back of the diff' as a forward mounting point. Asside from being a strong 11mm bolt this directs any forces into the most solid part of the Diff' casing without weakening it in any way. The bolt actualy won't be taking too much strain at all, via an aluminium block, it will be keeping the bracket in place so it presses against the diff' casing. This arrangment also means that the three link will be a completly bolt on reversible process.
The rear bracket mount point will be a section that locates across the back of the diff' and down the RHS and borrows the cover bolts to keep it located.

Peter Sherman

This thread was discussed between 12/03/2008 and 14/03/2008

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