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MG TD TF 1500 - Anyone seen this kind of TD rear shock conversion?

At some point a PO appears to have done a rear shock conversion on my '53 TD. Was this a common conversion?

I believe I would like to return it back to stock and it seems like Moss has rear shocks and links available.

I think I have to do these as 4 separate posts...

Pic 1 shows the lower shock mount on the right side. A piece of angle iron is bolted on the bottom of the leaf spring u-bolt.

Pic 2 shows the upper shock mount plate. A piece of flat steel is attached between the chassis frame sides with angle iron (see pic 3)

Pic 4 shows the side of the chassis rail with the 5 bolt holes.

I am not sure which holes (there appear to be 5 holes, see pic 4)to use to mount the shocks in the frame, but I guess that will become evident once I have the shocks. I haven't found the mounting bolts in the Moss catalog, but can probably find those somewhere.

To be honest, looks like the geometry is off as the shock is mounted at something like 45 deg.

Any reason not to convert back to normal?




Bill G

Pic 2


Bill G

pic 3


Bill G

pic 4


Bill G

Where does the air? line end up. Is it on both units?
Sandy
DARNOC31

That's a new one on me! Moss sells (used to sell?) a Koni conversion kit, but nothing like what you have. It looks completely wrong in terms of geometry.

I would not bother buying new shocks from Moss, but would find a pair of used ones and have them rebuilt by Peter Caldwell at Worldwide. Guaranteed for life, and worth the effort.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

That's a new one on me! Moss sells (used to sell?) a Koni conversion kit, but nothing like what you have. I say if it works, don't mess with it unless you are doing a careful restoration.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

You might check with Peter Caldwell (http://www.nosimport.com/)to see if he has some restored shocks on hand. If so, they will be better than any you can purchase new. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

When I had Peter rebuild the shocks for the TF, I was asked if I needed them right away, as he had a set on the shelf he already rebuilt. I didn't need them that soon, so he rebuilt mine, but the offer was there. His price was way cheaper than a set of repos and they are better than new. He'll even paint them as you wish! The Moss repo shocks, for the front anyway, are styled after the later shock like on the MGB with the hump on the top, plus = $$$$. To me, not putting the car in a racing configuration, you can't beat the factory shocks. JMHO. PJ
Paul sr

Sandy - The air filler fittings are behind the seat back. Have to remove it to get to them or at least lift it up some.

Thanks everyone for your input. I will contact Peter Caldwell regarding the original shocks. Glad to get a alternative to Moss if you guys think it better.

...Bill
Bill G

Bill,
Your system is unique,,, and unless you are going for originality,,, it would probably be a lot less expensive to replace those shocks with manual adjustable Koni's. (not air as you have now)

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve,

The shocks that are there, while old, do seem to work. If I were to spend money I would prefer to go back to stock as I do like originality. I think my bigger concern is that geometry of motion doesn't seem exactly right. The axle movement doesn't go in the direction of the shock.

It does seem though to be a pretty creative way to fit standard shocks.

...Bill
Bill G

Bill - I probably have a pair of rear shocks if you need them.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Tom...Thanks. emailed you for details

Bill
Bill G

Air shocks on a MG? Does it drop lower if you let the air out, or go up when you add air?

Does not look like anything was modified so that you cannot put in lever action shocks.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce,
One air line is broken (I could fix it) so haven't tried putting air in. Its the "right" height without air. Doesn't ride too bad, but I know the shocks need to be pivoting around the lower mount bolt the way the geometry is set up.

The way it was done looks very easy to return to stock. Maybe it has a couple extra bolt holes in the frame, but thats really it.

The car didn't have much wrong with it. This was probably the only major departure from stock other than the wiper wiring and the wiring for the addition of fog lights.

Bill
Bill G

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2013 and 29/09/2013

MG TD TF 1500 index

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