MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 - Faulty Replacement Part ?



I exchanged my leaking front shocks with a large well known UK supplier.

I always replace shocks as pairs.

One fitted perfectly and I slightly stretched the shock arms apart and slotted in the swivel pin with dust caps, spacers, rubber boots.

I turned to the other side (see attached photo) and the distance between the two arms seems easily 5mm to large.
Without the dust caps, spacers, rubber boots (3mm total) there is 8mm gap.

There is no problem with the Swivel Pin top link and several new steel distance tubes yield the same gap.

Also the ½ “ pivot bolt would not fit through, making me think these were new arms fitted to the shock body.

a) What is the distance between the arms. This one is 68mm
b) Has anyone seen this issue before?
c) Can the arms be crushed 5mm or is this likely to snap them?
d) Is this a faulty Part?

Thanks
Mark


Mark Hester


Second photo. Taken at night.

Mark Hester

Mark, At first glance it would appear the swivel is too narrow. Have you measured the one that fits ok, either side of the nipple and compare. No way you could ever crush the arms to fit that swivel.
Alan
AR Terry

Seems like a no-brainer.

If the shocks are not identical, there is something wrong with one of them.

If the swivel links are not identical, there is something wrong with one of them.
barneymg


Swivel links are identical and can be taken out of the equation easily by not showing them and only showing the new distance tube.

Good shock = ~85mm outside
Suspect shock = ~90mm outside

as per attached photo.

Returning a shock in the post is not cheap, so I gave it a go and clamped it down hard with the mounting bolt. After I made the mounting bolt fit.

These arms are surprisingly flexible but I still believe the arms are remanufactured / replacement.

I've fitted probably 2 dozen shocks over nearly 30 years and never seen this issue before.


Faulty!!! I guess I'll let others decide.

Thanks
Mark



Mark Hester

Mark, obviously faulty arms as you say, however if you use it there is going to be about 5mm of caster error one way or the other! Because the top link should line up with the bottom.
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 15/07/2015 and 16/07/2015

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now