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MG TD TF 1500 - Tubular dampers

Hi,
I am working on a friends car that was fitted with tube shockers (Moss E), They had been assembled incorrectly, The top mount was upside down so the shocks were angled at 20 deg and fouling the brake cable.
Should the bottom bracket be between the spring and the axle mount or below the bottom plate.
When below the plate the if the bracket has the shock mount on top it jams against the spring, if down the shock is on full extension and will act as an axle stop (it stops the axle sitting on the strap).
If anybody has a picture it would be appreciated.
It is an early 50 chassis in the low 1100's
and the original shocks are long gone.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Just did a set on an MGA
The top mount went in the high position(might be different bracket for a TF) and the bottom plate gets swapped over from side to side on the car to get the shock mount in the lower position
As you say, the shocks get fully extended before they reach the straps
The shocks get compressed around 2" when the car is on the ground, -anything over around 1 1/2" compression at normal ride height would be fine

willy
William Revit

If it were my car, I’d toss the aftermarket shock kit and put a rebuilt set of Armstrong’s back in place. (JMHO) I was not impressed when driving a friends TD that had one of these setups installed. It may have been better than his tired dampers but a freshened set will out perform his current setup. Also the Armstrong’s can have the valving modified for a more spirited driving style if that is what your prefer. Talk to Peter at Worldwide Products. Their rebuilt dampers also carry a lifetime warranty.
W A Chasser

I had a similar kit on my MGB which I have since removed as the dampers were too stiff even on the lowest setting. William is correct, the the plates come off and need to be swapped to the opposite sides in order to install the tube shocks.

L E D LaVerne

the problem is that at full droop the shocks will bottom out and destroy themselves. I am going to make some 5/16" spacer plates and mount the bottom brackets with the shocker pin uppermost.
L E D,
the mount plates are different than your original type, they have a pin welded to them for the shock.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Most modern cars don't have check straps and the shocks bottom out on full extension-
But yeah, just do what you're happy with , if it works, it's good
William Revit

Moss still sells the kit and there are instructions on this page if that helps any.

https://mossmotors.com/mg-tc-td-tf/suspension-steering/shock-conversion-kit-koni
L E D LaVerne

Thanks L E D,
but no help, the instruction drawing is not for the kit that is shown in the picture in the header page???
William,
The other problem is that the shocker shroud is exposing the spindle, I know they are only
dust covers but it does not look good.
The spacers will cure every thing.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

All good Ray, You obviously have an eye for what's needed to make it right----have fun
willy
William Revit

the photo shows the problem. The lower plate will be turned over and swopped to the other side and a plate spacer fitted to stop it fouling the spring.
Ray

Ray Lee

If that's at full droop which going by the spring leaves it is, then I wouldn't think you have an issue there. As soon as the weight comes on that the cover will come down over the tube nicely
I'm a bit worried you might run out of upwards travel if the bracket's rolled over
Maybe measure between the axle tube and the top bump stop and compare with the available travel of the shock

You'll never see that shockie shaft with the car at normal ride height, only when it's lifted right up like it is there, if the shock manufacturer thought it was a problem they would have had longer dust tubes on them

I'd be more interested to know where it sits at normal ride height(how much shock compression) There are many many tele shocks about that don't have dust covers at all

Even the excellent Monroe dirt track racing units we use don't have covers (exposed shafts)as you need to be able to access the shaft for tuning purpouses
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 24/01/2020 and 25/01/2020

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