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MG MGF Technical - Solid Subframe mounts

Does anyone have experience of fitting TF solid subframe mounts to a F. I would like to know what it does to the ride quality, is it still acceptable, or does it crash and bang an unacceptable amount?
Dave

I didn't fit them myself - Tech-speed kindly undertook the work. But in terms of impact, all I can say is that it was overwhelmingly positive. No, the ride is no worse than it was (i.e. it remains excellent!). Steering feel is improved, the car actually feels far better controlled over bumps.

In fact, I can't think of any thing negative to say about it Dave. Go for it!
Rob Bell

Thanks Rob, do you know if Techspeed did any body re-inforcing or did they just bolt them on. I was told by an X MG body engineering manager that the TF had the mount points re-inforced due to cracking on Belgian Pave testing. Although this is fairly extreme level of testing. Have you done both front and rear subframes. I have purchased mounts for both plus a TF front subframe brace.
Dave

Dave,

Can you possibly let me know costs of parts and labour for this stuff as these will be fairly next on my suspension work list...

Drop me a mail if you don't wanna post here

Cheers

Chris.
Chris Tromans

Dave, no body reinforcement performed - but I will try and find out a little more about what you've been told - it's the first that I've heard about that.

Chris, I am not sure, as the invoice I have doesn't have the bill itemised in this way. I'll have a look at the paper work to see whether I can give you an idea - but I reckon the best way is to drop Tech-speed a line and ask Roy for a quote.
Rob Bell

Rob... is your name Dave? ;-)

I was asking Dave as he said he'd just bought the parts :-) I'm in no hurry as it won't be for a couple of months..

Chris
Chris Tromans

Oh yeah... d'oh!
Rob Bell

I bought the parts secondhand as their solid they don't wear out. With the X brace for the front subframe, the front and rear mounts, bolts and postage, I paid just shy of 80 pounds which was probably a little steep. I didn't check the MG Rover price.
Dave

Cheers Dave,

Have you (or anyone else) got any pics of where that X brace goes on the front subframe...

I've noticed that in the rear of the TF there's also two more diagonally across the engine bay - can you get these separately at all?

Chris
Chris Tromans

Second hand you can. Good news and bad here: some of the holes already exist for the engine bay cross brace (the ones on the parcel shelf panel), but others are not - the bracket on the boot bulk head.

The cross braces on the front subframe simply bolt on :o)

There is one other body strengthening brace that is worth getting your hands on - and that is the one hidden down behind the rear of the centre console! Curiously, it isn't mentioned in the on-line EPC, and I haven't had a TF apart to see it, but I am assured that it is there, and it is probably worth fitting to an MGF :o)
Rob Bell

Regarding the subframe cross brace - I have some not great quality pictures of these, but not currently on line - and they're not terribly likely to be helpful I am afraid. :o(
Rob Bell

I have fitted the TF engine bay X brace to my 96 F. Can't say I notice any difference, it could be that the body creaking has actually worsened as the load path has moved. My hood joints do seem to squeek more but this may be unrelated, they may just be hinting they need some WD40. I haven't checked the bulkhead since fitting as I was somewhat concerned about the gauge of the steel on the bulkhead. The tophat section in the engine bay is quite reasonable but the metal in the boot is paper thin. I drilled my own holes and used long bolts with spacers to secure to the bulkhead across the box section.
Dave

Before you asked I got my engine bay braces from a breaker with the bracket for the bulkhead. If you get one make sure you also get the bolts that secure the braces to the bulkead bracket, bolts that secure them to the panel above the engine and bolts that secure the bracket to the bulkhead. Some of these were missing with mine and a pain to find correct threads and lengths. Also forgot to mention, as Rob says the holes in the panel above the engine are already dilled but these are hidden under your engine cover, you will have to drill holes in your engine cover panel and bolt through it as I did.
Dave

Rob says 'There is one other body strengthening brace that is worth getting your hands on - and that is the one hidden down behind the rear of the centre console!'
Rob do you mean middle rear behind of the two seats or front middle buried under the dashboard?

And how is the bracing attached (welded or bolted)?

Julian
Julian

Guys,

Any good photos of all these braces and their whereabouts would be a great help to a few people by the sounds of it :-)

Please email any if you can :-)

Cheers

Chris
Chris Tromans

Julian, I haven't actually seen it! But it is behind the dash, and I *think* triangulates to the crossmember bar. No idea how it's fixed (yes, yes, I know, I've not seen it) - but from the way it was described, it appears to be bolted in place...

FWIW, it doesn't appear to be described in the body section of the OL-EPC - unless I am missing something? This may indicate that it is not a welded in panel - or more likely, it doesn't mean anything! The EPC is not the exhaustive text we'd all hope it was...

Time to track down a stripped down TF with a digital camera in hand...
Rob Bell

Is stiffening up the subframes likely to affect the torsional loading? I was thinking specifically of the effect of loads being directed to the undertray fixings and the seams on the cills.

Chris
Chris

This thread was discussed between 07/09/2005 and 08/09/2005

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