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MG TD TF 1500 - Front shock and upper link - TF

How do you install the seal, seal support, and thrust washer that connects the wishbone of the front shocks to the top link?

I installed one of the freshly rebuilt front shocks on my TF today. The wishbone of the shock was a tight fit at the top link (#3 on diagram) and tore the rubber seal (#7 in the blue ball.)

Should I spread the wishbone by loosening the bolt at the waste of the wishbone so that the wish bone will clear the seal, then tighten after the shock is fully mounted? (red arrow on photo)

On which side of the seal support (#49 inside blue ball) does the thrust washer go (#47 in yellow ball)? The TF Service Parts List and the Moss catalog show it on the inward side of each seal support, against the link. The shop that installed the shocks placed the thrust washers on the outward side of the seal supports. This was before I removed the shocks for rebuilding. Today I changed the position to match the diagram before installing the shock. Does it make any difference which side the thrust washer goes?

Gotta buy more seals before I proceed.

Thanks for your help.

Lonnie
TF 7211

Photos:
(top): Front shock wishbone and seal supports with missing rubber seals that were torn

(bottom): Moss diagram of front suspension.





LM Cook

Photo of bolt, torn seals, seal support with good seal, thrust washer

Lonnie
TF7211

LM Cook

Lonnie
Yep, best to loosen the through bolt right back, and also loosen the through bolt where the arm clamps onto the shockabsorber splined shaft, this allows you to easily/safely spread the arms apart without causing any damage-
And yes it's important to have the thrusts on the inside where they should be
So starting from the top trunion, it's push the sleeve/tube into the trunion, then thrust washer to each side of the trunion, then seal supports and seals, then slide the whole assy. in between the arms and poke the bolt through the lot from the rear and washer and nut on the front. Tighten this bolt up first then the two on the arm

willy
William Revit

LONNIE.
Willy is absolutely correct.
Sandy
Sanders

Lonnie,

It looks as if you have fitted the seals backwards, the larger diameter should go towards the bolt head.
Attached is a good section drawing from the WSM, of the assembly.

John

J Scragg

You guys have a good eye. You're right, I installed the rubber seals facing the wrong way. Destroyed them in the process. Ordered more today to arrive in a couple of days.

George Butz invited me to his house on Sunday to show me how to fit the seals and seal supports. I can't start to express how much George's knowledge and hands-on guidance have helped me in my TF restoration.

Based on George's lesson and posts by BBS members, I have attached a couple of photos that may help someone else.

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211

TOP: The rubber seals correctly sitting on the right side of the upper link. The left side is obviously bare.

BOTTOM: The order that the cupped metal support, thrust washer, and seal goes onto the bolt as Willy described. (The threads are not left-handed. The photo is a mirror image of the original so that it will match the position of the seal in the top photo.)






LM Cook

I replaced the upper seals in my TF front suspension today. This time, I positioned them the correct way as you described. Easy Peasy. Thanks for your guidance.

Now I need to replace the lower seals. I'll post my questions in a new thread.

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

This thread was discussed between 20/09/2020 and 29/09/2020

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