The five-link rear suspension conversion is the most comprehensive rear suspension upgrade available for the MGB, replacing the original semi-elliptic leaf spring arrangement with a fully engineered system using parallel trailing arms, body and axle-mounted brackets, coil-over telescopic dampers, and a Panhard rod.
Why Five-Link
The standard leaf spring rear suspension relies on the springs themselves to locate the axle both longitudinally and laterally, a dual role that compromises both ride quality and axle control. Under cornering, the axle can shift sideways, and under power or braking the spring wind-up produces axle tramp and wheel hop. The five-link system separates these functions entirely. The parallel trailing arms locate the axle fore and aft, the Panhard rod provides positive lateral location, and the coil-over dampers handle suspension and damping duties independently of axle location.
The result is a significant improvement in rear-end grip, stability under braking, and ride comfort over all road surfaces.
Setup & Adjustment
The Panhard rod must be adjusted with the car at normal ride height to ensure the axle is centred, achieved by measuring from each wheel rim to the body and equalising the distances. The supplied coil-over dampers are set with the adjuster screw facing forward at the bottom eye. Recommended ride heights are 16.5 inches for rubber bumper roadsters and 15.35 inches for chrome bumper models, measured from the bottom of the chrome strip to the wheel centre. Begin with the damper adjuster in the middle setting, adjusting one click at a time to achieve the preferred balance of firmness and ride quality.
Installation Notes
After full assembly, all fixings must be tightened with the vehicle on the ground at normal ride height and rechecked after the first few hundred miles of driving. Torque settings are M8 at 20 lb ft, M10 and 7/16 UNF at 45 lb ft, and U-bolts at 30 lb ft. The conversion is specific to roadster tube axle cars in both chrome bumper and rubber bumper specifications, and does not cover GT models or banjo axle cars.