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MG MGB Technical - Roadster dampers.

I built a Rover V8 engines roadster 15 years ago.
I replaced my original, tooth filling loosener, leaf springs with a pair of RV8 single leaf parabolic springs, which are great, and compliant! Originally the dampers I fitted to them were second hand RV8 Koni (Yellow), which did a good job. One of them went belly-up so I installed a pair of RV8 spec, Spax dampers. They are OK BUT the valves make a right racket, particularly annoying when the hood is up. I've tried Gaz and they were much too hard.
Any suggestions?
Allan Reeling

Not necessarily a suggestion, just coincidentally, I'm about to order adjustable valves for the lever-arm dampers on the rear of the V8 on the basis that they can be set softer than the originals (as well as harder for the masochistic). The usual comment on the MGOC forum is that Spax ARE too hard, and Gaz are better. Another comment is that telescopic of some kind are needed with parabolics due to the better compliance of the latter. One option is to try MGB parabolics with lever-arms, but a pal with a super-charged 4-cylinder has wound up two sets and has had to add a helper leaf, so they are unlikely to be any good for a V8.

The V8 (springs harder than 4-cylinder) came to me with Spax set by the PO to shake teeth out never mind fillings, and were still too hard for my liking on minimum but bearable. One failed which meant buying a pair, which again on minimum were bearable, until I became aware that one of them was damping less and less as time went by, and the adjusters were seized. More comfortable, but not acceptable once it started getting bouncy, so I binned them and got a set of used lever-arms with drop-links from Stoneleigh. Fine on the open road once we have escaped the ring of traffic humps that surround us - anything up to seven depending on where we are heading needing to be crawled over at less than walking pace, in all three cars. Then I sold the ZS180 and bought a Golf! The problem is that sails over them, and even when I remember to go as slow as needed in the MGBs it's become unacceptable.

paulh4

The Spax were, supposedly, tuned by Spax for Clive Wheatley, to suite the RV8, and I have to say as far as damping goes they are good and seem to match those single leaves well. I have them several clicks from the softest setting too!! The Koni Yellow, which were off an RV8 were quite acceptable, AND QUIET, but adjusting them is a real faff!
Maybe I'll just put up with the rattling Spax valves, until they give up, or always drive, hood down!😱.
The normal Telescopic fair, which are marketed for MGB's are always too hard, as their origins are mostly units for coil sprung cars. Pair them up with the large internal friction in a multi leaf spring and you have a real bone shaker.
Allan Reeling

Allan,
my mate rang Gaz about the dampers on his factory built Westie and I think spoke with a Director and was told Westfield insisted on fitting dampers that he'd not have recommended, so they sorted out a more suitable alternative. Gaz have a whole range of components that can be used to make up suitable dampers, might be worth giving them a ring.

Note my mate's Westie is not hard riding and the suspension is set up very well for slow, or more usually fast, road use and going over to Europe with passenger and luggage (extendable luggage rack, spare wheel, custom hood, heated front screen, and cameras, SatNavs, radio, speed detector, windscreen cameras, wet weather gear and even a change of underwear!). He's an elderly person so also uses sidescreens, but thank gawd not a helmet, it's not a Caterham!
Nigel Atkins

Allan- If you still have your Koni's you could always have them rebuilt--they are a good shocker but yeah a bit of a nuisance to adjust--but it's not something you have to do every day-
3/4 turn from soft (clockwise) is the spot , slightly firmer than the std. setting but just right
William Revit

Willy, Are you suggesting Koni will rebuild them? Interestingly Koni "tuned" the yellow dampers especially for the RV8, but the manufacturer got mean and asked for cheaper, hence the red items were fitted, which were bloody awful!
Nigel, That's a possible line of enquiry, thanks!
Allan Reeling

Allan, Yes, If you were happy with them, it'd be an option, but not Koni themselves ,they have a service agent--S P Suspensions----You'd pay to check the cost-

https://www.facebook.com/SPSUSPENSIONLTD/
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 07/01/2022 and 10/01/2022

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