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MG TD TF 1500 - Rear Brake Line Routing Warning

Some time ago I heard a squeaking noise while driving the TD. I had my daughter check it out and found the rear right brake-line was rubbing the rear axle strap. (There is a warning in the WSM about this) I corrected this and ordered a new brake line BUT I did not get to install it. It is a difficult one to do since it wraps around the differential pot.

My brake-lines were original. But, the car was disassembled in 1969 and they were shipped from FL to MA to PA to WI to NJ over a period of 20 years and the original bends were somewhat distorted. The fitment was less than factory prefect.

I am installing a set of Toms's rear axles and I decided that I would change the rear wheel cylinders and that nasty brake-line.

Lucky I did!! The right rear line, where it wraps around the differential, had been rubbing against the side-curtain box. It was close to rupturing. That would have left me wit no brakes except the hand brake. Thank good that really works well.

There is not much room in the slot between the differential and the side-curtain box. If you can keep the brake-line higher on the differential Pot it will help.

Jim B.





JA Benjamin

Jim, I ran into the same thing a good while ago. Not sure what I called the thread. Took some clever routing of the brakeline to avoid the rub. Everyone should watch for that one. Bud
Bud Krueger

Same thing happened to me Jim in the mountains near Bulahdelah at speed in about 1970. Foot went flat to the floor and left a trail of brake fluid down the road as I approached a 20 mph corner at 3 times that speed. Found third but second was hiding. A rather sloppy 180 handbrake turn saved me and the car. Just damaged the left rear guard. The passenger's face was white. I posted about this one years ago. This HAS to be on everyone's check list. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

<<A rather sloppy 180 handbrake turn saved me and the car.The passenger's face was white.>>

Done that! Must have been 1984 or '85 with my friend. 180 and on two wheels.... freakin' scary.
Frank Cronin

Jim,
I noticed how close the brake line was to the side curtain box many years ago. I was able to route the brake line to give me a small clearance in that area.
Just for insurance I cleaned off that area of the side curtain box and applied some self adhesive felt padding in that general vicinity.
Mort
Mort Resnicoff

This is one of the things the New England MG ‘T’ Register inspects at our gatherings with our “safety fast” safety inspection. It is amazing how many cars we have found with the metal brake lines rubbing on the axle straps and the rubber hose rubbing on the side curtain box.
Be well
David
D. Sander

Good move Mort. I intend to do the same with a small piece of black felt glued to the adjacent area when the box is reinstalled; even though my test fit shows that the line is well clear of the side curtain box. It's the metal line at the very rear of the pumpkin that is the trouble spot. I think this situation is caused in part by having a passenger or a couple of kids behind the seat. Pretty rare noways due to seat belt regulations etc. but not that uncommon when I was a teenager. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Good idea Mort.
I will do that right after I paint the box to prevent rust.
JA Benjamin

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2020 and 15/05/2020

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