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MG TD TF 1500 - rear spring

During the winter inspection of TD 29276, I found the 3 lower spring leaves that moved and rotated around the center screw. Number 3 (from below) already touches the rear tire. The upper leaves are properly clamped together and can not move.
For some years I use the polyurethane pads between the spring leaves.
Did you know this phenomenon and what should be done?
Sorry, I'm forgetting to take some pictures.
Many Thanks,
Guenter
GK Guenter

shouldnt there be clips on the spring leaves that keep them in line??
SPW Wincze

spring clip might be the wrong name, but here it is

SPW Wincze

As I said, the upper leaves are clamped or hold together by the clamp as SPW marked at the drawing, but 3 of the lower leaves doesn’t have such a clip.
GK Guenter

The clips do not hold the 3 bottom leaves, but the bottom plate should. (items 85 and 86) in Mr. Wincze's diagram)
Lew Palmer

the Rubber pad (89 in SPW's post) and the metal plate (90 in the above post) should fit around a spacer on the bolt running from the top. (Not shown in the diagram above) Moss calls it a "Peg" https://mossmotors.com/mg-tc-td-tf/suspension-steering/rear-suspension/td-tf-rear-suspension

When the plate is in place and the shock plate is on, the U bolts over the axle should hold the springs from moving.
Bruce Cunha

....the U bolts over the axle SHOULD hold the springs from moving.
If not? what's to do?
GK Guenter

Something must be wrong or missing in the assembly. I think this is the second time this issue has come up on this forum in recent months, so its worth looking in the archives. If you are tempted to resolve it temporarily by fitting an additional means to keep things in line, make sure it does not interfere with flexing of the spring.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Pictures would make it easier to see if something is missing
Bruce Cunha

Just checked on mine that I rebuilt 3 years ago, all original parts, but with new nylatron pads.
The 3rd leaf from the bottom is clearly out of line, similarly but less the 2nd from the bottom. So it seems the U-bolts are too wide to hold them straight. This is the left side, right is out of reach at the moment.
See photos - first one from the top
Something to look after before I get going next year.
It might require another wrap (sheet metal or hose clamp band) to keep the lower leafs lined up.
Or could the U-bolts be too loose so that there is insufficient friction to hold them in place ?

Happy new year to everyone
Mike


Mike Fritsch

2nd photo - from the rear, where you can also see a bit of the 2nd leaf pointing outwards.

Mike Fritsch

Mike

there seems to be a plenty of room between the springs and the bolts.

Are the u-bolts right?
W_Mueller

The bolts and plates were in the car before I rebuilt the axle. While all the rubbers are new, the metal bits are unchanged except for the axle protector on the top.
The U-bolts cannot make a difference to the distance anyway, since they run parallel to the spring leaves. It may also be a question of perspective in the picture.
The car is hemmed in at the moment, so I cannot really look under it. Will do that in spring.

Rgds, Mike
Mike Fritsch

The conclusion I can think of is that Nylotron or
PU don't offer enough friction, unlike the original rubber pads or metal to metal contact when the rubber has gone!
Dave H
Dave Hill

That´s another option to think of. The PU pads at least are a similarity between Guenter´s and my TD and they are definitely harder and more slippery than rubber.
I´m sure that other people have used the Nylatron pads, esp. in the UK, since they came from John James.
Would be interesting to hear some related experiences

Rgds, Mike
Mike Fritsch

I used the big rectangular pads that John James sells, but between the individual spring layerr I made my own circular rubber pads.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Just installed the PU disks. They are harder than the old rubber ones. I could see that they could be slipperier
Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 02/01/2019 and 05/01/2019

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