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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Heavy steering TF

Recently had my TF repainted, after reassembling the beast have noticed the steering a bit heavy intermitantly. The tub was painted on the car so the steering rack was not disturbed. The problem lessens once motoring for a while and it improves when the steering wheel is telescoped back and forth a bit. Could the problem be with the bushings? The steering was fine before the repaint so Im at a loss to figure what causes the occasssional heaviness in the steering.
jeff payne

Jeff, I would be suspicious of the king pins. You can isolate them by disconnecting the tie rod ends.
Steve Tobias

Two further possiblities that both occured on my TD.
There is a thrust washer at the base of the pinion. This split on my TD, allowing the pinion to push down too far onto the rack. The clearance is critical.
At the top of the pinion shaft, just below the universal joint, there is a short piece of the shaft which is the "wrong" side of the O ring oil seal. Corrosion on this short piece of shaft can cause binding.
With the front wheels off the ground, you should be able to grasp a tyre and move the wheels from lock to lock by hand. The only resistance should be the mass of the wheels and steering gear.
John Dutton

This thread was discussed between 09/10/2001 and 11/10/2001

MG TD TF 1500 index

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