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MG MGB Technical - Shock link lengths

My '73 'B has a broken rear shock link. I removed the broken link and headed off to my local previously abused parts supplier to get a cheap replacement. He had two lengths available, of course. Around 6 1/2" c/c and 10" c/c. the trouble is, mine are 8 1/2 c/c. He asures me that his are original 'B parts. So what have I got? I'd rather not have to buy two new ones.
Derek Nicholson

Derek;
I broke one about 14 years ago where the tube section is joined to the bush sleeve. I welded it with a series of tack welds, so heat input was kept low to prevent burning up the rubber bush. A mig welder is ideal for this. It has held up fine all these years, with about 40k more miles on it. This happened while being overzealous on a curve, and spun out off the road on a grassy area.
Pete H
76B
Pete Haburt

Pete, I'd love to weld it up, but mine broke at the botton (the welded stud that attaches to the shock bracket). Could you fine folks please confirm that the chrome bumper link should be about 6 1/2" long (center to center). Thanks.
Derek Nicholson

Derek
Rear shocker links for a chrome bumper MGB are 8.5" c/c. The longer ones (10.5") are for a rubber bumper MGB. I don't know what the 6.5" links are for.

Peter
Peter Scott

Thanks, Peter. So I only need to find one. That's the kind of news I like. I must say, I found it hard to believe there was a 4 1/2" difference between chrome & rubber bumper links.

TTFN
Derek Nicholson

Derek,
Confirm that rear shock links for CB cars are 8.5". Just checked on my 67B and 74 BGT (CB).

Andy
Andy Preston

Thanks again. Maybe the short ones he had were for a midget?
Derek Nicholson

This might help in the future. Stamped on the links, usually about midpoint, is a number. 6144 is for Bs and Cs through 74. The longer Bs 75 on is 12011. Semi-elliptic Midgets are 8407. 1/4 elliptic is 7433. These are all Armstrong numbers. Peter C
Peter Caldwell

Could the 6 1/2 be from a Midget? So many people can't tell the difference.
R. L Carleen

I have a pair of Midget links and they are around 6 1/2" from center to center. Peter Caldwell has provided a better way to identify them. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Clifton. I agree. Peter does not post frequently. But, when he does, it is worth reading. Les
Les Bengtson

Thats everyone. My regular parts supplier agrees that they were probaly Midget pieces, too.
Derek Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 06/09/2003 and 13/09/2003

MG MGB Technical index

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