front suspension

[david2000]

hi to all
have a question I recently bought a new front shock absorber for my 75 tourer to day I went to change the shock absorber and after I had dismantled the shock and went to fit the new shock I noticed that there was a difference in size the shock off the car the shock absorber length was 7 inches the new shock absorber had a length of 9 1/2 inches can any one tell me what the length should be I bought the shock absorber from best of british rover parts
all the best david