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MG TD TF 1500 - Clutch Assembly Alignment

The clutch release graphite bearing creates a wear pattern on the release lever plate. The wear pattern on my release lever plate shows that the clutch bearing is not concentric with the release lever plate (i.e., the wear pattern on the plate is not centered). The wear pattern appears to be 1/4" off-center, and is smooth and free of any defects.

The clutch operated normally and I did not observe any vibration issues pre-disassembly. Is this a concern and can it be corrected by adjusting the clutch assembly? It did not find any reference in the Workshop Manual addressing concentricity of these parts.

Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

This is a new one to me....Since the release bearing is mounted on a parallel shaft-and-fork arrangement, that has no internal adjustment, I would have to say that either the bearing "ears" were not in the same plane,(defective), or the mounting "fork" is worn, or the bushings that the clutch shaft is mounted on, are worn...Since most of the force on the shaft is on the linkage side, I would look there first (where the shaft goes through the bell housing)...That should be a good sliding fit, but not have any slop in it...Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Hi Corey,
If the thrust carbon is worn, it will do this,check that the clutch release lever is at the 6-35 position (clockface) when the all play is taken up (presuming this is a LHD car).See fig E-10 WSM.
Also check that the clutch lever stop bolt is correctly
located,this stops overthrow.

Ray TF2884
Ray Lee

Edward, there is no wear in the clutch shaft, so that's not the problem.

Ray, I replaced the graphite bushing, but the one I removed was in good condition. The clutch operating lever is in the correct position.

What is the clutch lever stop bolt?

One possible solution - as I noted in a earlier posting, the PO removed the pedal cover box, so the car has no forward stop for the clutch pedal travel. I presume that would allow overthrow, and thus the reported wear pattern.
Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

Corey,
the clutch stop is a button bolted onto the floor of the pedal box in a slot allowing adjustment. As you don't have one you have a problem.It just stops the clutch release bearing going too far,If you don't fit a box maybe you could fit a removable/adjustable stop to the clutch pedal itself.Once the clutch releases very little movement is required,too much stresses the thrust bearing on crank.Triumph 1500 engines as fitted to last series midgets were prone to this.
Ray TF2884
Ray Lee

I'm afraid that this may explain something I've been observing but (head in the sand) hoping was not a problem/would go away.

Frequently when I sh*t from 3rd to 4th gear the car picks up a vibration. Double clutching and letting the clutch out very gently reduces the frequency of this occurrance but even then it still happens.

Could this be a loose/worn shaft or shaft hole?

Thanks.

Jud
J K Chapin

Ray, I had already welded two braces, one to act as a pedal back-stop and the other as an attachment for a brake return spring. I had not realized the need for a clutch travel limiter. I'll add that feature as well. Fortunately, the engine and gearbox are not installed, so I have room to work. Many thanks for helping me diagnose this problem.
Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

Does someone have a good image of the stop? I have one, but I don't think it's in the correct location.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Edward, is the stop the bolt assembly protruding from the rear of the box in this image?


Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

Corey
Thanks....
That is probably it, although that one looks like it would limit travel too much....
I would like to see one that is properly adjusted.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Good grieg!!!

"Frequently when I sh*t from 3rd to "

was supposed to be "Frequently when I shift from 3rd to" I sincerely apologize for the typo.

Jud
J K Chapin

The Workshop Manual does not show the adjustment of the stop shown in the image above. I assume that it should be adjusted to allow a 1 1/8" clearance as specified for dimension "H" shown on page E.4. Is that correct?
Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

I went out and looked at "Rocky's" pedal box...It is much too deep for an adjustment bolt in that position...Also, it would interfere with the linkage, as it comes through the box....
Maybe my pedal box (Jan.'52), is an older style.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Here is the clutch pedal stop on my TD24953.


Kirk Trigg TD24953

2nd Image with the clutch all the way out, at rest.


Kirk Trigg TD24953

Kirk, very helpful. I've fabricated a stop assemblly, and I will be welding it in the same location. Would you be able to measure the distance from the lever to the stop as shown in your second image?
Thanks.
Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

Hi Corey,
the stop has to be adjustable to take account of the wear in the system.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Ray, my stop arrangement is adjustable. I do need to know how to set it, and I have not found the necessary instructions in the Workshop Manual.
Corey Pedersen 1951 TD #7169

Corey,
In section E, page E8 it mentions a stop but on the flywheel housing I think this is a TC fitting not TD/TFPlus another setting for cable clutches.
Top of E8 says 5/16" movement of carbon from point of contact,this means about 9/16" at lever end (the one at bell housing not pedal box).
That is where I set mine for the last 38 years and nothing nasty has happened
Ray


Ray Lee

That is not the picture I meant to send but it does not matter as the description should do.
Ray
Ray Lee

I had made a stop in the same location as Kirk's, when I rebuilt the pedal box...Then found that my pedal lever doesn't go back that far before the back of the pedal arm reaches the top edge of the box, anyway...
Edward




Edward Wesson 52TD

This thread was discussed between 31/03/2013 and 02/04/2013

MG TD TF 1500 index

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