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MG MGB Technical - Uprated shock valves:

I was looking at the "20% uprated " shock valves on my car. When compared to stock, I can not see much of a difference. Is it possible to achieve the same results by shimming a stock valve? For that matter, has anyone considerd making one of these adjustable?

Pete
Pete

I have shimmed the valves in my midget and I think the B shock valves are made the same. The valve has a small spring on it that is compressed by a nut. This small spring will control you rebound. The more you pre-load the spring, the higher the rebound rate. Most of the "uprated" valves just turn the preload nut in a few turns to give more rebound control (nut may be solderd to prevent turning).

To increase bump, the larger spring must be shimmed between the shock body and the spring. This will preload the larger spring more and give a higher bump rate. Some shocks have shims in them already, but you can add more.

I always write down the original spec of the shock valve (size and number of shims, how many turns on nut...) when I start to play with them so I can return to a known baseline if things get too far out of wack.
Brian Kraus

Thanx Brian. I suspected as much. I have never been comfortable with fluid as the variable when stiffening the shocks.

Pete
Pete

This thread was discussed on 01/03/2002

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