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MG TD TF 1500 - Are hood (bonnet) latches reversible ?

My TD has the stock style hood latches. One side opens up, the other down. On the latter side, the paint is getting scraped by the latches. This can't be right. I noticed that in the Moss catalogue, the latches are ordered left or right, which probably then has both sides opening up.

Can I take apart the ones I have and reverse the way they open/lock ? Often parts are made reversible.
Larry Ayres

The handles themselves are L/R (so the MG logo goes the right way).... believe the latch part is the same. The handle should face the rear with the logo right way up...opening should be up/over and forward.
gordon lawson

On my car the logos seem to read correctly, but the left side opens up/over rearward. The right side (passenger side on LHD car) opens down and forward, I believe. This is from memory, I will check at lunchtime.

Which way are the pointed handles supposed to face, towards the front of the car or rear ?

Someone put things together wrong, I think.
larry Ayres

The handles and logo's should be as Gordon said above. Same with the opening....

Good luck,
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

Larry - You should be able to reverse the handles on the one side that is opening down, so that they open in the correct manner, but the MG logo will be upside down. If you can live with that, then search the swap meets and e-bay for a set that are correct. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Larry
Mine have the long part of the handle pointing toward the rear of the car and the MG logos upright on both sides when they are secured. I think this correct.

Tom
T.L. Manion

Larry,
Last year I had the same problem which this forum solved (check archives). The handles have to be handed because of the MG logo. Now the mechanisms cand be put together sorta round about as to be wrong. But if you play with them you can get them to come about right, as I did. Handles point rearwards when closed and go up-and-over to unlock and point forwards when released. Good luck.
Greg & Grimm
G.J. Cenzer

C.J has it correct. The latches come apart and they can be put together incorrectly. It has to do with where the spring goes. It is a bit like a puzzel to get them correct.

Your handle that has MG right side up and the handle opens up is the correct one. Use it as an example of how the spring should be on the others.
Bruce Cunha

It reminds me of an old microwave oven which we received from my wife's parents, when it gave up the ghost. It was an expensive carrasol model, and I traced the problem to a faulty microswitch in the door closing assembly. I gently pried apart the switch (I swear I did!) and immediatly had 15 little bits of metal and springs scattered on the dining room table. 90 minutes later, I had the switch repaired, assembled, and glued together. The microwave oven still offers great service to my son in Michigan, so that qualifies it as a three generation unit!

I'm still not certain how I ever reassembled that switch... but the latches on the TD are much simpler!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave

Must be one of the reasons we like old MG's. I will always try to fix something rather than buy new or call a repairman. My philosophy is " It ain't really broke unless after I take it apart, I can't get it working"

Bruce Cunha

Or, Bruce,

"It ain't really broke, unless I broke it trying to fix it."

I think there are several areas of my restoration which I have done three times, each time getting quicker, and better results. Good thing no one is paying me for my mistakes!

dave
Dave Braun

When I first started to restore my TD back in 1974 (I say first started, because as everyone knows, you really never finish, all I had was a moss motors catalogue and the shop manual. In taking the car apart and putting it back together I learned the rule of three, That is, if I have not taken it apart and put it back together at least three times, it is probably not correct.

This is how I know you can put the hood latches together incorrectly.

Tought to learn your mistakes if you pay someone to make them for you.
Bruce Cunha

"Good thing no one is paying me for my mistakes!"
If I could get somebody to pay me for my mistakes I would be driving my Veyron whilst a crew of paid mechanics effected repairs to the TF!
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

David, your car model is probably a HUBLEY. They made an MGTD with mgtf headlights. The front grille angle and wing sweep are definately TD where as the headlights are sorta TF. Cute though.
GReg & Grimm
G.J. Cenzer

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2005 and 13/10/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.