MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG 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 MGB Technical - How do I remove rear shock link from lower plate?

Greetings,
I'm trying to install the rear tube shock conversion kit (FYI, I have a 1973 B) and the instructions call for removing the oil damper shocks and turning the lower plate (that sits below the leaf spring) upside down. My problem though, is that I can't get the rear shock link off. Where it attaches to the lower plate has a nut on one side, and a ball joint on the other. When I turn the nut, it just rotates the ball in its joint. How do I remove this shock link if I can't loosen where it connects to the lower plate? This is kind of an odd description of my problem. Hopefully someone with a similar experience will know what I am talking about. Thank you very much for the help.

Alex
Alex

I had the same problem when I did mine. I used a set of needle nose vice grips and clamped them to the metal "washer" (?) on the shock link side of the lower plate. From there holding the vice grips in one hand, and pulling the wrench in the other worked. Took a few tries but it worked.

Hope this helps,
Justin
Justin

Justin,
Thanks for the quick reply. Do you think there's a way to pop the shock link off the ball joint? I only ask because I don't have a pair of needle nose vise grips (I suppose I'll have to go buy them). Thanks a lot.

Alex
Alex

Alex,

I asked MGOC (Roger Parker) the same question!

His advice was to cut the nuts off with a nut-splitter or a hacksaw (UK term for a hand metal-cutting saw).

I had to cut mine off but then had no problems.

Good luck

Peter
Peter Hills

Looks like there's going to be no easy way through this. I'm very tempted just to order new plates. The old ones are rusty and dirty looking anyways. Thanks for all the info.

Alex
Alex

Cut 'em off. A Zip wheel works wonders.30 seconds per unit.
Ken R
Ken Rich

Alex,

I had exactly the sme problem on one side of mine when doing the same job. I dropped the damper unit connected to the plate, then used a pair of adjustable grips to grasp the ball on the short length of rod between the arm and the ball mounting. Was a lot easier off the car. There was some scratching to the rod but the grip enabled me to loosen and remove the nut.
Regards
Roger
Roger

If the above advice doesnt do it: use a Bubba wrench, i.e. torch 'em off! If you dont have one ask the local garage to do it (with the parts off the car).
Andrew Blackley

Order new plates. Chances are the holes in the originals are wallowed out antway.
Ken Lessig

I never bother, I just remove the shock, drop link and bottom plate as a unit to work on the springs, or cutting the upper nut/bolt if changing the shock.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 18/05/2002 and 20/05/2002

MG MGB Technical index

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