MG Car Repair: Retainer straps, mgb roadster, moss motors


Question
I replaced my worn out retainer straps with new ones on the rear of my 74 MGB Roadster. They both "snapped" when we removed the support that raised the rear axle.I noticed that the new ones were about 2" shorter than the old, but assumed it was because of "stretching". What is the purpose of the straps and can the car be driven without them?

Answer
Hi Mike,
I wouldn't drive it very much because I believe if you go over a hump in the road like a rail road crossing and the car raises enough to let the springs go the their fullest down movement, you can have the driveshaft contact the welded in member at the rear of the driveshaft tunnel. This could be a disaster at speed. Not counting it may reach the limit of extension of the rear flex brake line.
There will also be undue strain put on the shock links.

If you had to go to the store or someplace in this car and the road has no humps in it, you may be ok.

Don't gauge it by how far the rear end hangs down when suspended on a lift because when you go over a hump in the road the rear end will come down fast and flex the rear springs much further than they are just hanging down.

The straps will not stretch 2 inches. If the old ones were 2 inches longer they were probably the wrong ones because a 74 should be a chrome bumper car and should have the short ones anyway. Check your VIN # with Moss Motors to see which set you are suppose to have.

Let me know how you make out.
Howard