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MG MGB Technical - Lowered rear suspension

Hi guys
Lowered suspension on my 77BGT last week.
Only changed the rubber bushes for poly bushes, Alumin spacer block, longer "U" bolts and new shorter link arms.
However, once fitted the link arms held the armstrong damper at a near vertical angle. They also fouled on the rear anti roll bar ??

I managed to get it looking something like by moving the link arm plate ( normally on bottom of suspension mounting) higher up under Alumin spacer block. This brings the Armstrong arm almost horizontal.

Is this O.K ???

See pictures @ whyisitnotworkingright.blogspot.com - for before and after. The suppliers say the link arms are correct for the Rubber to Chrome conversion ?

Any comments appreciated

P Liles

I would think that the shorter links would only be suitable if you had used reset springs to lower the car. Fitting spacer blocks works O.K. with the original long links. The geometry is wrong when short links are used with lowering blocks. JIM
jim soutar

Yep, you need the original links. The dampers are attached to the spring via that bottom plate. The blocks don't change the positioning between the damper and spring, just the position of the axle in relation to the spring.

The way you have it now might work from a geometry point of view I think. I guess the main thing is that the spring hits its limits (on the rebound strap and the bump stop) before the damper arm hits its.

But I would be worried that now the bottom plate under the spring isn't strong enough. From memory that one is pretty flimsy. That might cause problems. Maybe fitting a beefier bottom plate would make that OK?

You should cut down your bump stops too. Since you've shifted the axle up it will hit the stops sooner when the springs compress. Like this: http://www.asciimation.co.nz/pics/page17.html

I lowered mine by getting the springs reshaped.

Simon
Simon Jansen

You only need to cut down the bump rubber if you have the original pedestals. If you have lowered pedestals (and yours look new, did they come with the kit?) then the rubber should be right. But you will need the shorter chrome bumper rebound *straps* or the damper may end up stopping the axle and not the straps.
Paul Hunt 2010

Paul, are the pedestals the metal bits with the flat top that go over the axle that hit the bottom of the bump stop? If so I didn't know you could those!
Simon Jansen

Thanks for the comment guys. Its really helped.
I'm changing the drop links this week.
Paul- the bump stop came with the kit. Don't know if it is/was same height as original as that had rusted away to nothing.

Next jobs are new copper brake hose, water pump replacement & oil cooler pipe replacement.
Then time to fire up...if I can resolve alternator issue.
P Liles

Simon - yes indeed. Was the word 'replace' missed from your post?
Paul Hunt 2010

Hi Paul, yep or buy I think. I've never seen them listed so didn't know they were an option.
Simon Jansen

This thread was discussed between 07/06/2010 and 10/06/2010

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