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MG TD TF 1500 - Door Socket

Checked the archive under doors and side curtains but couldn't find the answer. Did the door socket - the threaded chrome plug that screws into the top of the TD/TF door - originally have any sort of washer below it between it and the door to protect the paint? If anyone has an original installation could they please post a pic? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Hi Peter,

From my experience with TFs,there was not a washer fitted under the door socket. Of course, the socket is adjusted up and down by rotation to assist the better fit of the side screens. The originals were made decently out of brass and chrome plated.

The offset hole in the socket allows for the adjustment. Many years ago
I remember an 'engineer' who owned a T type who proudly showed me his handy work in silver brazing up the offset hole thinking it was 'worn' that way through use. He then drilled the hole centrally. He was disappointed after I explained that the hole was meant to be offset !

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Peter of the five TDs I have none ever had a washer. I use tape for protection of the painted surfaces while screwing them in and adjusting the curtain fit.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

Ta Rob. Bill I smile whenever you mention your 5 TDs. Especially when I reflect on how hard it was to hang on to my pride and joy for the past 49 years without a garage. I'm sure they enjoy each other's company locked up securely. I bet they make you smile when you see them too! I'll go with the tape suggestion. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter,

On the current TF1250(3719), i polished a stainless steel thin washer which was very close to the diameter of the door socket threaded stem. It is hard to even see unless you look very closely. As it happens on that car, the hex head just touches the stainless washer with the sidescreen fit a la Factory.

Looks tidy and perhaps neater compared to the tape. Just a thought.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos")
Rob Grantham

I think Bill was suggesting that the tape be used to protect the paint and then removed after adjustment? I had done some filling in that area so I'll do a little sanding around the opening to the hole so that the socket can descend a bit further without actually touching the finished surface. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter and Bill,

Of course,Bill's idea is spot on to protect the paint whilst adjusting the socket for sidescreen fit.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

Hi, I am currently working on it also. Doors are repainted etc, now need to install the sockets. Need to remove some filler etc. Any ideas on how to best install? The wood seems to be drilled (not sure, it's new). What bore size is it?

Thanks,

MArk
M Smit

Mess about with a piece of scrap timber and offer your shiny new jobby into your test piece on the bench. When you find a bit that gives you enormous satisfaction, proceed with caution. Apologies if I appear frivolous but I've spent some time hanging upside down today on an inversion table and have also partaken of an unknown quantity of the amber fluid. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter
Still in trouble with that back,that's been going on for a while, have a chat to your doctor/physio and ask about using a hot water therapy pool, From what I've seen at the pool I was going to it appears to be magic for backs-has to be the right temp. though--can't remember ,I think it has to be over 32 ish anything less doesn't work
William Revit

Mark,

A smear of grease or similar other lubricant can assist winding the door sockets in. The outside of the socket is of course threaded.

Peter, it looks like you have found some ways to relieve your back issues.
William is right about pool work. Warm water helps. However, never any breastroke allowed.

Keep up the treatment on the back. That beautiful TD needs you !

Cheers
Rob Grantham

Rob Grantham

Rob, as you say the adjustment obtained by turning the socket is in in or out on a horizontal plane because of the non concentric hole in the socket. But I never heard of the socket being used to raise or lower the side screen.

Tim
Timothy Burchfield

I have brass washers under the chrome plugs on my doors.
Regards
Declan

Declan Burns

It was intended that the socket can be rotated in or out to raise and lower the sidescreen and improve the fit.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Thanks for your considerate thoughts Rob and Willy. Putting this as delicately as I can, I have an almost pathological aversion to the albeit diluted aggregation of the wide variety of bodily secretions emanating from the genus homo sapiens, which has kept me out of any kind of collective and confined concentrations of water for the past 60 years. :-) Hanging upside on the inversion table was absolutely brilliant. I have to have one. I may be losing the pain battle but I shall win the war! Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

No washer. Every car I have ever seen had a thread or two exposed (ie the socket did not go all the way down).

Also notice that the sockets are off center so you need to twist them a bit after all your curtains and hood are erect to make them fit properly. This also requires spacing between the door and top of the socket so you can find the "sweet spot".
Christopher Couper

Thanks guys. I'll use a test piece and some lube. Spend the entire evening fitting/adjusting the number plate light. The braided cloth was not going my way, but finally gave in with the help of a small diameter nylon rope. No backpains overhere, just a relaxing evening in the Man's cave as my wife calls it!
M Smit

This thread was discussed between 25/05/2018 and 15/11/2019

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