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MG TD TF 1500 - Drive Shaft Clearance

Does anyone have an idea what the clearance should be between the drive shaft and the dip in the center ceossmember? Everything is hooked up and my shaft is resting lightly on the member. Not good, I think.....Is it possible that I could rotate the differential upward a bit. Wanted to check in before I made things worse.

Bill
Bill Reid TD4618

Are your axle check straps on yet? They keep the diff from dropping down. The weight of the tub/body will push the entire frame down, and will give plenty of clearance as well. If you rotate diff that will mess up driveshaft alignment, not a great idea. George
George Butz

Are your shackles installed correctly in the rear? The leaf spring bushing should be below the frame bushing.

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

Bill, my TF has an easy 1" (2.54cm)clearance. Car has new transmission mount & is currently elevated with all four corners on jackstands.



T.A. Sirp

Another perspective from tranny end without tape measure...

T.A. Sirp

Thanks for the pics...the shackles are in the correct position. Both the engine and transmission mount are new. i'm sure the engine mount is good, but I will have another look at the transmission mount. The new rubber was difficult to seat...
Bill Reid TD4618

Bill one way to check the engine mount height is to fit the crank handle in place. I had to introduce a plate under the mount to achieve alignment. This was probably due to the thickness of the engine mount rubber. I suspect it was not as thick as the original. Not sure how this mount could impact on your alignment problem though, but worth checking with the crank handle anyway. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Thanks, Peter. I'm not sure I understand. Is there a standard measurement from the surface to the bottom of the engine?


I am also going to check through the service manual again and confirm that I have done everything else up to this point correctly, too.

Bill
Bill Reid TD4618

Back to the beginning - the front of the differential should be pointing up a bit so that it is in line with the propshaft. It should not be level with the ground.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Hi Bill,
is it possible you have the springs on wrong. The short end should be towards the front. The wrong way round would tilt the diff nose down. As the axle is located by welded brackets on the casing it is fixed relative to the spring.
I did this 40 years ago during a rebuild, I fitted the springs to the axle and offered it up as a unit.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Yes, that would do it, as Ray says.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Hi Bill,
did you sort out your clearance, if so what was the problem. I have been off the board for a few weeks and don't know if you posted.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Not yet......I have been away from it for a few days. I did tighten the bolt and nut passing through the new rubber trans mount which gave me about a quarter of an inch or so clearance at the cross member. I'm going to look at the shaft ends next to see that they are aligned correctly, as per my thread above.
Bill Reid TD4618

Can't answer your 'standard measurement' question Bill. The crank handle check is just to ensure that it actually fits. With AM front engine mounts that are appreciably thinner than the OEM part, the engine sits too low thus preventing engagement of the crank handle. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 15/03/2017 and 06/04/2017

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