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MG TD TF 1500 - Front Suspension Bushings

I want to replace part number 56 (all 4).
There are several options in the Moss catalog. Moss is pushing 280-485 the Polyurethane Lower A-Arm Bushings.

Opinions and suggestions appreciated.

Since I have never done this before, is there a write up on the proper sequence of steps to take?

Is there anything important to look for while I am at it?

Thanks,
Mort


Mort 50 TD

Mort,
You want the black Urathane bushings from Moss. Place a floor jack under the spring pan. With the weight of the car on the jack, carefully remove the lower trunion bolt. Place a jack stand under the frame and SLOWELY release the jack until the coil spring is no longer compressed. Carefully remove the cool spring. Undo the bolts from the spring pan and the two nuts from the inside of the a arms. There are large flat washers under the a arm nuts. Place a light film of grease on the new bushings and install them. Place the a arms and the spring pan bolts back, place the spring on the upper spring cup and carefully compress the spring with the floor jack.
I have used the. Moss bushings on a TD a TF an A and a B. I am very happy with them.
The black bushings look just like rubber, but last longer and perform much better. I would also place them on the rear spring shackles too.
D. Sander

Here is a picture of the Moss Urathane bushings installed.


D. Sander

Mort, replacing them is sort of a subset of installing an ARB See http://www.ttalk.info/ARB_systems.htm for info, including LaVerne's video. Bud
Bud Krueger

Dave,
I feel compelled to mention the value of the Safety Fast Inspections.
At the GoF, Rick pointed out this first sign of wear as one of the A Arms was starting to sit low on the bushing. For us backyard mechanics this type of experience and advice are invaluable.
Thanks to you, Rick, Paul and all those involved in these inspections. I will never pass one up.

I am now gathering info on replacing and will order parts as necessary and install as the car event schedule permits.

See you at the next GoF in PA in Sept.
Mort

Bud, Thanks, I will review the videos as time permits.
Mort 50 TD

Mort, the Safety Fast inspections are just one of the many benefits of belonging to the Register. I have to throw in a plug for you, as you have the only car that has not mearly passed the inspection three times in a row, but passed with a perfect score!
-David
D. Sander

Dave did not mention that you should leave the bushing nuts loose until the car is on the ground and bounced a bit, and then tighten the nuts. If you tighten the nuts with the car in the air, it can twist the bushings and put greater stress on them when on the ground.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Anybody know if the AS bushes are as good as or better than the ones David recommends? I rebuilt the rear shackles about 3 years ago & the rubber flanges are now splitting & looking pretty sad. Odd thing is the car has not yet been driven. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Yes, Tom is 100% right about tightening the nuts with the weight on the a arms. Good point.
No rubber bushing will last as long as the Urathane bushings. Moss has them for the rear shackles to.
David
D. Sander

I IMO the bushings Tom is referring to are only the MGB V8 bushings with the steel insert. I will not use them as the insert will seize onto the shaft.
I prefer the red bushings, the ride is a little stiffer. Moss also sells poly rear spring pads, under the midget part #, I have been told by Moss that they fit the TD /TF, I have some on order. I also like the MGB RB 480# front springs, yes a little stiffer, & lower.
Len Fanelli

Whoa!! There's confusion. The Moss 280-485 Urethane A-ARM-BUSHINGS are black. I installed a set when I installed my ARB last Spring. Also, if you watch LaVerne's video I think you'll see that he cautions the worker to hold off on tightening the nuts until the wheels are on the ground. Bud
Bud Krueger

As stated IMO. The bushings with the metal inserts (V8)have an inner metal sleeve bonded to the bushing, this sleeve locks up on the shaft when tightened, as such it must be tightened at ride height. all others do not have a metal insert bonded to the bushing.
Len Fanelli

Are the one piece V8 bushings easy to install or do they require a special tool and lots of Baldrian?
I have them lying around for next winter when I will do the front axle, but if it is a pain, I'll rather buy the PU ones instead.
On the back axle, installing new bushings in the front eye of the leaf springs went smoothly. But maybe that was luck ?

Rgds
Mike
Mike Fritsch

I installed the black urethane bushings on the TF , the red ones on the TD and originally the V8 bushings on my MGB. I just changed those out to urethane recently. The V8 Bushings need to be pressed into place ...a large vice works just fine and the need to be pressed out...see the video as that is what Ed had. Nothing wrong with them, they work well, except as Len states they have a tendency to bond with the shaft. A little grease or anti seize will usually address that depending on your climate conditions. The original rubber only type being sold today usually fail in short order.

Even though I had Ed tighten his when the car was settled, I don't find it is really needed with the urethane. The bushings and the shaft are given a good coating of silicone grease before the installation and will certainly position themselves even if tightened up with no load an the wheels. The rubber bushings do need to be tightened after the weight is on the tires as they should be assembled dry and the rubber will be twisted if done without the weight on the wheels
MG LaVerne

I have used the steel insert v8 MGB bushings in the past. They were the bushing of choice for me before the urethane bushings became available. As stated above, they are harder to install, and the steel insert does bond to the stud. This has been my experience too. I have been using the urethane bushings for years. They are easy to install, work very well, look just like stock, and will outlast everything else.
David
D. Sander

I second the V8 bushings. A set had been installed years before restoration with anti-seize and they came right off. I have had bad problems with red urethane anti-swaybar bushings creaking on my 280Z, not sure if relevant. George
George Butz

Sounds good, thx a lot. So I will give the V8 bushings a go next Winter, together with the ARB.

Rgds, Mike
Mike Fritsch

This thread was discussed between 09/06/2015 and 14/06/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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