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MG TD TF 1500 - Knocking Noise

After a winter of various repairs I have Mobius back on the streets.
I have developed a knocking noise when going over the slightest bump. I can feel it in the steering wheel and floor boards and it sounds like the front or mid section rather then the rear.
I've been tightening most bolts that I can reach. Anyone have a suggestion on how to reach the 2 inner bolts that hold the Griling front shocks to the car? I tightened them when I reinstalled the rebuilt shocks but at that point I had the wheels, radiator and hood off. I tightened the two outside bolts on each shock and also the motor mounts.
It's a substantial knock and worries me.
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
TIA,
Mort
Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

I suggest checking the transmission mount Mort. Also have a look at the steering shaft. It runs very close to the motor mount bracket and doesn't take much to make contact if the motor is pushed to far in that direction.
LaVerne

MORT,
A loose rear shock link can transmit a noise down the frame so it seems like it is in the mid section,,,,,but you probably won't feel it in the steering wheel....

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

LaVerne, I just got a few turns out of the bolts on the transmission mount. I also put some fresh paint on the steering shaft in the area just above the fuel pump. I was also able to get to 7 of the 8 front shock bolts. Got a quarter of a turn out of one of them. Just got back from a test run and there is no change. No paint scratches on the steering shaft. Still banging away.

Steve, I double checked on my last test run and I really don't feel it in the steering wheel. I will check the rear end. It would be just like Mobius to have the noise in the front and the problem in the rear.

I did have the rear drums and brake plates off to fix the leaks from the rear flanges. Perhaps I did not tighten something up back there?????

More later.

Let's see where did I put that floor jack?
Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

Exhausts are often the cause. Wiggle and bang on the pipes to see if anything is loose or hits somewhere.
George Butz

Can you isolate it left or right? Bad shock/suspension bushing?

Tom Lange
t lange

I'll bet on the REAR shock link(s) as well. Been there, done that!!! The bolt that connects the 2 pieces of the link together as I remember. Instant fix!
efh Haskell

loose rear shock mounts can do that Mort, check to make sure the bolts that hold the shock to the side rail are tight.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

mORT,,,, NOW YOU HAVE ME REALLY CONFUSED!!!!
You said>>> "I also put some fresh paint on the steering shaft in the area just above the fuel pump"


UUmmm What car is it that has the noise?????????


SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve,
My TD steering shaft is close to the oil pump. In the past with a PO there was chipped paint on the shaft right in the vicinity of the oil pump.
I recently leveled the engine and that brought the engine a little closer to the steering shaft. I have made lots of structural improvements and now there is maybe 1/4 -3/8" clearance.
On the theory that there might be enough movement of the engine, while driving over bumps,to cause it to hit the steering shaft, I repainted the shaft. Then I drove it to see if there would be any marks in the paint that would indicate an interference and hence a knocking noise.
The results were that the noise continues and there are no marks on the shaft.
Today I will focus on the rear end and exhaust.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Mort
Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

Problem solved.
To appreciate what happened you have to have a TD with a bent frame and a Skyhook 5 speed conversion. I guess that eliminates about 99.53% of the BBS members.

The bent frame precipitated my shimming the right side of the motor mounts and adjusting the stabilizer to right the engine. In doing so I moved the transmission a little to close to the rear conversion bracket. It was just about touching and any bump would cause it to vibrate and gave me the noise.

Fortunately Steve Neal at Skyhook provided slotted holes in his mount. I slid everything over and re-tightened and my test run was noise free.

Thank you all for the help but this was a unique one.

Good old Mobius has done it again.

Mort




Mort 50TD (1851) Mobius

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2012 and 21/03/2012

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