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MG TD TF 1500 - Restoring Rebound Rubber?

Going through my spares, I found a set of original front rebound rubbers. They had surface cracks but still appeared to be functional. Squished it in a vice and it rebounds fine.

Any reason not to use it? (trying to stay original).

To address the cracks, I used a liquid rubber product. It brushes on and fills the cracks.

Bruce Cunha

I'll wait to see what you discover. I have a pair too. Probably the last two in existence. :-)
Christopher Couper

The new ones that I fitted cracked immediately. Whether they had been on the shelf for years or made from poor material I don't know.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Bruce are you sure they are originals. The top end looks like the standard faire for later TDs. The originals for our early cars had a taller top rubber snubber and they mounted directly to the chassis without the spacer block. If they are truly the early ones I’d shelve them for posterity and buy the reproduction pieces with the requisite spacers. No matter what you decide do not install them until the car is completely assembled and won’t be spending time in jackstands. The snubber won’t survive being in constant compression and will fail in short order.
W A Chasser

Thanks Bill.

They are the ones that do not need the spacer. That is one of the reasons I wanted to use them. I do note that the new ones (I have two sets of the newer type). are more pointed on the top. These are more rounded.

I have the newer version on the car now, and I note the angle on the upper suspension does not really touch much of the rubber.



Bruce Cunha

Here is another picture of the old one.

Chris. Does yours look rounded like this?

I put one more coat of liquid rubber on after this picture and am very happy with how they look.

One of the new version is in the background

Bruce Cunha

Bruce I have a set of NOS early style the Mike had installed on my dad’s car just prior to me acquiring it. One nearly broke off before the car made it home during the move. Save them off the car. There are few examples left in any condition. MG changed the design because they didn’t hold up well.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

I recall that it is the bottom cone that was longer on the originals. Same reason the spacer was added- shorter rubber as the long rubbers all broke. Slight chance I may have an original in my attic, will look at some point. Bill do you still have the originals that broke? Would like to see a picture.
George Butz III

George I believe I still do as I would not likely have tossed them even after being damaged. I had hoped at some point to try and have molds made and rebuild them. But at this time they are buried somewhere in mounds of parts inventory. I don’t know where exactly at the moment. I’m recovering from trauma that has me moving guardedly and I won’t be lifting anything anytime soon.

Bill Chasser
TD-4834
W A Chasser

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2019 and 11/03/2019

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