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MG TD TF 1500 - Strange handling TD

Any thoughts??
On the throttle hard and there's a noticable lurch to the left. Off the throttle...a lurch to the right.
Nothing too dramatic, but noticable.
I thought maybe loose rear spring U-bolts so I tightened them but I'm scared of stripping their threads. After doing this I noticed an improvement, but its still there.
Is it a trait of this model?
Cheers
Colin
c caygill

Colin,
It sure sounds like that is your porblem!! Were the springs ever replaced,, were the U bolts ever offfor any reason?? You might want to check to see if the loosness of the bolts and the movement actually wore into you axle !!

Steve
Steve Wincze

One more thought,, are you U bolts fitted with double nuts to enable them lock to each other so they can't lossen??

Steve
Steve Wincze

Worn spring eye bushings
W. A. Chasserq

Yes, as W. A. noted above, warn bushings,, Also might be a broken leaf,, and tightening up the U bolt limited its movement. What ever the cause, its not safe to drive till it gets fixed,

Steve
Steve Wincze

Your u-bolts are still loose, causing the axle to shift when you accelerate and decelerate. U-bolts are very strong metal; I tighten the basic nut as far as I can, using the 1/2" socket wrench. I then try to tighten it more!

Finally, add the locknuts, and you should be OK. If you still feel the shift, tighten the u-bolts some more. If you have to replace the u-bolts, use the MGA axle buffer pads.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

I agree with Tom. If you check the top of the axle you will probably see shiny worn metal indicating that this is the problem. I repaired the grooves in my axle using magic metal which I then filed smooth before fitting the MGA axle buffer pads. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Tom wrote:

I tighten the basic nut as far as I can, using the 1/2" socket wrench. I then try to tighten it more!


If I'll do so the lower rubber pads will be pressed out. Is that still okay?
Bela

Jack the car up under the chassis near the front end of the rear spring.With the wheels of the ground get someone to lever the wheel up and down.Any movement at the front end of the spring means Bush renewal.If OK then lever the rear shackles back and for any movement is a broken spring.
Where are you in the UK?.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee raybar2(at) tiscalidotcodotuk

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
All the bushings and rubber pads are new.
I'm fairly sure I'm not tightening the u bolts up enough.
I'll go out and give them another grunt. (I have lock nuts on.)
I'll report back at the weekend. )Weather permitting!!!
c caygill

Make sure the upper nut is not bottoming out at the end of the threads. Usually not a problem with new pads however. Also may be worthwhile to jack up the front end and inspect to make sure no cracked shock arms or a-arms, etc. George
George Butz

Remove the nuts from the u-bolts and put some anti-seize on the threads. Usually makes a huge difference on older bolts when torquing them down.
Steve Simmons

Colin,
I have seen misunderstandings about the use of lock nuts (double nuts),, make sure that you tighten up the inside nut first, followed by the outer nut to lock both.

Steve
Steve Wincze

PETER is correct.
I would remove one U bolt and check the top of the tube for wear. If a groove is present fill it and then use MGA buffer pads. If there is not enough thread left on U bolt then use a washer before the first nut. This should solve your twitchiness
(if that's a word)
Sandy
st

This thread was discussed between 19/06/2016 and 21/06/2016

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