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MG MGB Technical - 3/4 Anti Roll Bar

Hi,the bushes on my standard anti roll bar were worn, it's a 76 rubber bumper. I decided to take the opportuntiy to uprate to a 3/4 inch. I went to Moss and asked if they had a suitable one, and they supplied me with with part no BH1219, I asked if it fitted a RB and they said they were the same.

I've fitted it, and it forced the top of the link arms back towards the wishbone. I thought I might of put it on the wrong way, so I took it off and compared it to the old one. there is a difference in the bending near the bush. I turned it upside down and refitted it, but it looked the same.

Have they sold me the wrong part?

Thanks Chris Cummins
c cummins

Chris,
I think we might need a pic - on the car ?
R Walker

Ok here's one.

c cummins

And another

c cummins

Having done the same recently, my anti-roll bar is also pretty close to the crossmember, but not that close. Mine is also much closer to the steering arm. I also fitted a BHH1219 part, supplied by and using the kit from MGPartsUK, and it all fits fine. The only issue I had was finding suitable replacement locator collars.

I've checked the MGParts website and they only offer a single antiroll bar, no differentiation between CB or RB. Likewise at the Hive and the MGOC.
A Riddett

Clearly they are not all the same. It drives alright on the short test run I did. But I wonder with the link arm pushed back if it's putting extra strain on the bottom bush.
I had a look at your thread on the locators and used Paul Hunts idea.
c cummins

Chris,
If it touches, there is a problem.
If it touches only sometimes, your wishbone bushes may need replacement.
There is a way forward; the original V8 team produced an adaptor to move the anchor points for the bar forward (Can't remember the details but Farnborough was the key place -- Dave Vail??).
Do persevere - the thicker front bars improve handling immeasurably.(If you have a modern car with a rear bar - ditch it - they spoil a decent car).
Roger
R Walker

If the dimensions are different from your original...........it's wrong!! Get the thing changed.
Allan Reeling

Thanks for the advice. I've removed the ARB and comparing it to the old one, it is about 3/4" deeper.
I returned to it to Moss Bristol who told me that buying parts that didn't fit was part and parcel of owning a classic car!
They offered me a replacement, I asked if there was any goodwill bearing in mind that it takes me about one and a half hours to remove and replace the ill fitting part, plus they are charging over twice the price of other suppliers.
Needless to say they were not forthcoming so I'm now waiting for one from MGBHive.
c cummins

Chris, that's a pretty sad indictment on that particular supplier, who as you suggest aren't the cheapest and used to be considered blue chip. I generally use the other supplier you've proposed who seem to offer pretty good value. Plus recently I used a supplier in the Midlands who also offered vfm.

Having said that, I suspect many of them use the same source for their bits ie from Eastern Europe or the Far East.

Peter
P A Allen

Just a thought but is the link arm the correct one? There is a difference between the RB and CB link arm...

/Moss
Moss

Moss, they are listed the same for all MGBs , just handed. I left the OE links on for the first ARB, but have replaced them now for the ARB from Hive, and it fits very well. I had to remove the lower wishbone arms to separate the bottom of the link, and attack them with a lump hammer!
c cummins

Curious this. I have been thinking of changing mine ('77) to a 3/4", and a while ago saw on a supplier's website that there were different a/r bars for chrome and r/b cars. The annoying thing is I can't remember where!!
John Bilham

This thread was discussed between 30/07/2012 and 19/08/2012

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