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MG MG Y Type - trackrod ends close to brake drums

my mg ya trackrod ends are almost touching the brake drums, in fact the rubber boots do touch which is not satisfactory, what can i do to rectify this?
Graham Sharpe

Are they new? If so, where did you get them from?

If not new, are you sure you have Y Type ones on?

Paul
Paul Barrow

Graham,

I have the same problem, I have tried a couple of suppliers and found them to be the same. As it is the brake drum back plate which touches the rubber boot of the track rod I am not too concerned as the back plate does not turn, I will however monitor the rubber boot for wear.

Cheers Chris
C A Pick

Graham
I concur with Chris - it doesnt matter too much that they touch since the back plate is not rotating and just keep an eye on it.

Maybe you or Chris can post a similar note on the TD-TF Forum and ask if they have experienced the same issue and have any input to this seeing as how the TD has used the MG Y front suspension set up too and then you can feed any replies back to us in this thread please?

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul,

The TD has 15" wheels, the same as the YB; and the drum and backplate are a smaller diameter so there is approx 3/8" clearance.

Chris
C A Pick

Hi Chris

I was aware of the smaller wheel diameter but wasnt sure if that would have resulted in clearance or not so thank you for confirming that it does allow for clearance.

Clearly the track rod ends are just slightly bulbous in shape for Ys. Not having had the issue arise, can either you or Graham take a look at the track rod and see if, after slipping the boot out of the way, there is room to grind a 'slice' off the body of the track rod end and then reattach the boot without penetrating the ball socket of the track rod end? If one or other of you can perhaps report back on that to us please.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Paul,

The body of the track rod end is clear of the brake back plate when fitted. It is only when you fit the track rod end in place on the trunnion arm that the rubber boot squashes out and comes in contact with the back plate, so really there is not a problem it does not restrict the movement of the track rod.

Chris
C A Pick

thanks for your replies,it is definitely the rotating drums that are 1 or 2 mm off the rubber ball joint cover,when i get more time i will go on the td forum and ask, thanks graham.
Graham Sharpe

Hi Graham, I apologise I took of the front wheels today to have a closer look and you are right it is the drum that is closest to the track rod not the back plate as I suggested.

If fact the off side is so close it has nicked the rubber gaiter so I am equally at a loss for a remedy.

NTG list the same track rod ends for the TD as the YA.

The steering arms fitted to the TD and YB are different to those on the YA and the clearance on my TD is around 3/8" so there is no problem on the TD and YB.

Maybe a different rubber boot was fitted to the original track rod ends on the YA.

Chris
C A Pick

Hi All,
I had the same problem on my YA a couple of years ago. Having fitted a pair of new track rod ends I found that the rubber boots were in contact with the brake drums, only slightly but enough to wear holes in the boots in no time.
In my case, the solution was a pair of boots having less of a "bulge", picked up at an auto jumble. The stall holder showed me 3 different boots, all having the correct hole sizes but different bulge diameters. I fitted the smallest which left approx. 3mm gap. Unfortunately I can't remember the suppliers name, but hopefully you can find something suitable on line.
Bill.
W M (Bill) Bennett

Thanks Bill I have had a look on ebay and it seems you can buy the boot in small medium and large so I will order a couple of small ones.

Cheers Chris
C A Pick

first of all i would like to thank you all for responding to my request for info with the trackrod ends, its interesting that other owners have the same problem.I have thought about putting the front drums on the rear with engine rotating the drum and holding a file against the lip of the drum to remove 2/3mm, what are your thoughts on this action? Graham
Graham Sharpe

When I was building my Y type, I came across the same problem which I tried to solve by smaller boots, but even these touched on the rotating drum so I has 2mm machined off the outside flange of the brake drums. No problem fitting new standard track rod ends since.
R CLAPHAM

Has any one bought these from the MG Octagon Car Club? If so, I'd like to hear from you offline so I can feed this back to them through the proper channels.

Paul
Paul Barrow

I had this problem when rebuilding my YA. Remember that the original track rod end joints didn't have any rubber boots to protect the internals - the recommended service interval was 1,000 miles and you were supposed to keep the joint greased so as to force out any grit entering. The spring loading in the joint, and the protective spherical cup, were supposed to do the rest.

I remember talking to NTG about this, and in the end didn't replace the joints, but overhauled them. Use molybdenum grease frequently and you should be OK.
Tim Griggs

This thread was discussed between 11/11/2013 and 17/11/2013

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