New rebound straps at the tube axle

[wprechsl]

I am Walter from south Germany and about to completely rebuild an MGB from 1968 from the start of a "new"
(sandblasted and dip coated). It´s a great job with makes lot of fun daily.

Now I have a question to the B community about new rebound (or check) straps. After insertion of the tube axle and
the springs I wanted to connect the rebound strips. But that is not possible. The weight of the empty body is
not enough to get body and rear axle that near, to bolt the rebound straps in.
When I go on with other assembling it´s alomost at the car´s front and helps nothing with the weight at the rear.
The tank is mounted and also the help of a person sitting in the boot (trunk) helps not much.
So I wonder -- did I get to short rebound strips? The length from eye to eye is about 205 mm equals 8 7/8".

Thanks for any hint.
Walter

[Ian F]

You should have the shorter rebound straps, later cars had the 1" longer straps.
Perhaps it is the springs responsible? The springs will usually "settle" in use and bring the axle closer to the body.

IanF

[Vic Butler]

Maybe putting some people in the car to weigh it down might help.

[wprechsl]

Tanks for your answers.
I meanwhile found out, there are several length available, but dealers mostly do not tell. Mine one recently bought for "early cars" is 205 mm. That is wrong I need the one with 226 mm. Furthermore there are some with 250 mm, too.
I also read there are versions between roadster and GT -- and racers deal with shorter ones.

Octagonal regards
Walter

[Vic Butler]

I'm sure my 1977 MGB GT doesn't have axle straps.

[Charles Farran]

Vic,
Your 1977 MGB GT should have check straps - part number BHH989 if rubber, BHH989X if nylon alternative.
I am aware that many have found that new rubber ones don't last long - MGB Hive did have some NOS some time back.
I still have my original rubber ones on my car & they cleaned up quite nicely on a refurb underneath a couple of years ago.
Cheers,
Charles

[Charles Farran]

[Vic Butler]

I must admit I've not noticed them but out of curiosity I'll have a look.

[Rattie]

When I rebuilt my V8's rear axle in 2021, the rebuild straps I'd replaced 3 years before were barely holding, the rubber being very badly perished. I found some nylon webbing alternatives from Moss Motors, which still look like new.
Vic