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MG TD TF 1500 - Gap between rear shackle and wing?

What is the "ideal" gap between the rear shackle supports and the wings?

The gap is a little over 3/16" on the right side of my TF. The shims between the rear bottom rail and the chassis mount are 7/16" thick.

Panels are not fastened tightly. I am test fitting the car together as I make the final tweaks to the wood and panels. I'll adjust to match your recommended gap at final assembly.

(The camera perspective makes this photo look odd. The gap that I need is the space at 12:00 o'clock above the shackle support.)

Thanks for your help,

Lonnie
TF7211


LM Cook

Lonnie, I don't have an exact distance for you but I just put new rubber bushings in my rear shackles and I'll tell you the distance was miniscule - I'd estimate 1/8" to 3/16". I had to loosen the wing from the tub on the right side to get the shackle and its bolt in place.

Jud
J. K. Chapin

Thanks Jud,

That gives me some wiggle room when I do final assembly. I was afraid the small gap was wrong.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

I don't have a measurement Lonnie but looking at this picture, the wing is pretty close to your picture and what Jud said in his post.

Frank
TF1414

Frank Cronin

Lonnie, Not sure about the gap, but look at the bushing closely. It looks like one of the poor quality rubber ones that is cracking already. George
George Butz III

Lonnie,

The gap tends to vary slightly between cars I suspect.

I have observed, on the majority of TFs, that the left hand rear guard(wing)
gap is greater compared to the right hand wing. This includes those cars ex Factory that have not been restored ! Perhaps there seems to be a deeper concave curving on the area in question with regard to the wire edging of the rear left hand guard.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
Rob Grantham

The left hand gap on my LHD 55 is slightly wider than the right side. I originally thought it was caused by a twist in my chassis, which I took out during restoration, but it sounds like a normal head scratcher on our cars. I guess it's something in the overall design causing it. Standing behind my car it's not noticable, unless YOU know it's there. PJ
PJ Jennings

Thanks guys

After everything is bolted together, I guess it can’t move much so a close fit is OK.

George - yep, they look bad. I didn’t see the cracks until I took the photo. The outer edge split from a couple of them. I thought that it was caused by over tightening before the car is completed (per WSM). They fit too tightly to use the fiber washers. Looks like I need to cough up the cash and buy urethane.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

This thread was discussed on 19/12/2019

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