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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - MGA Rear Shocks

I have a pair of rear shocks that came with a box of MGA parts. I'd like to get them rebuilt for my car, but want to make a postive identification.
These are Armstrongs with "5412" in raised numbers on the lever arm.
Lever arm is 6-1/4" from center to center.
Any ideas?
Pete W.

Hi Pete,
I had the same problem about a year ago and got some great information from this board about B and A rear shocks. There is a difference in the lever arm offsets. You should check the archives to see exactly which is which. I am out of town now and would check mine for you if I could. Good Luck,
Ken
Ken

Pete
The difference between the A and B rear shocks as Ken said is the offset in the lever arm. If you use a B shock on your A it will bottom out on the bottom of the trunk when you hit your first good bump. That's how I discovered there was a difference. If you need more info contact off board and I will dig up the B shock and some photos for you to compare.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

Pete,
The lever arms from my 58 coupe are marked 4240 and measure about 5 1/4 inches center to center. I have several sets from other A's that all measure the same but have different numbers. However, all begin with a 4.

Regards,
GTF
G T Foster

Pete,
After closer inspection with a magnifying glass (old eyes and rusted parts) the number was actually 4649. The length was correct.

GTF
G T Foster

The numbers on the arms are nearly meaningless. You'll find stamped on the underside of one of the mounting ears a number such as 6066LH or 6066RH That, in fact, IS the part number of the shock, and is correct for an A. (B's were numbered 8178, or 12075, or 10225 depending on year (but it doesn't matter)). The fronts, BTW, are stamped 6172. Interestingly many 6066 shocks are incorrectly stamped for their handedness, at least in my experience. Peter
Peter Caldwell

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2005 and 18/02/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.