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MG TD TF 1500 - Material between fender well and frame

Was there originally a felt like material between the rear fender well and the metal frame? (see attached photo) I found some black felt like material there but it seems like it would trap moisture.

Tim
TD12524

TW Burchfield

Yes I found black felt on mine. I also decided it would hold moisture. Opinions seem to differ on what to replace it with, but I used thin rubber.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I can't speak for the area you are referring to, but I have found felting material under the floorboards, I suspect it is the same stuff, used to dampen noise and vibration, and definitely capable of soaking up water. Some have suggested it is important not to replace it with materials that don't breathe, as they believed the idea was to not trap water.
I live in Tucson, so I wasn't worried about excessive water. I replaced it with strips of neoprene rubber, which compresses better and should last longer.
Geoffrey M Baker

Yep. The wheel well was covered in black felt as padding.

Check out the pictures on #129 and #130. Not it was also on the sides of the wheel too but in these pictures it does not show.

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgtd/Pictures/TD11272/Thumbnails/mgtd_gallery_thm_TD11272.htm
Christopher Couper

Chris, I'm talking about the space between the metal frame and the fender well side walls, in the gap the arrow is pointing to in my picture. Do you know if that felt material was placed in between the metal frame and the fender well? I suppose it might be there to prevent rattles but it seems to me that it would trap moisture.

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield


Tim, all of my TDs had a strip if 1/8" felt in that space to keep the wheel well liner from rattling on the metal sub-frame. I used rubber strips on my body tubs when I put them back together. I didn't want water staying there with wet felt.
Richard Cameron

Richard, thanks. I agree with the rubber solution. That's what I'll do.

Regards

Tim
TW Burchfield

Yes felt. It has been said many times before but I will repeat it again. Felt was used in various places in the car and yes it gets wet. But it drains and dries out. When you 'improve' the sealing of these places with modern adhesives, compounds and gaskets, you run the risk of trapping the water in the joint, thus promoting rust and corrosion.

So be very careful what you fix or make better. It may come back to haunt you later. These cars are over 60 years old now and if they have lasted this long, there is a good chance whatever the factory did worked pretty well.
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 27/04/2016 and 01/05/2016

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