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MG TD TF 1500 MGB swaybars on TDs??? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG TD TF 1500 - MGB swaybars on TDs???
| Anybody out there doing/done this? Unless there is a length problem, it seems to be an easy mod. John |
| John Redman |
| John, check the archives for various postings by Jim Merz on this topic. He's done it to his 53. Or, contact Jim directly at mgcarnut@sbcglobal.net. |
| Bud Krueger |
| John, I used a sway bar for an MGA that I got from J.C.Whitney. Works real good and was not a problem to install. I would just think based on that experience that an MGB bar would work real good. The links to the 'A' arms might be different but should be able to be hooked up with only minor difficulty. Good Luck, Bob |
| Bob Jeffers |
| As Bud commented, I have added a front sway bar from an MGB to my TD. I had to change the front bushings anyway so the rest was easy. I used the B spring pans and front arms to bolt the lower end of the links. The sway bar attach fittings were mounted on the "dumb irons" and it all fit together with no cutting or chopping. I have photos of the whole installation. I used new rubber parts where possible and V-8 bushings. It really eliminated the roll on turns and gives the front end a solid feel. |
| Jim Merz |
| Jim, Can you post or send me those pictures? I really appreciate this BBS and its members. John |
| John Redman |
| Jim - If you are going to sen pictures, send a set my way also. Thanks - Dave |
| David DuBois |
| Dave, can do. John, i need an email address. |
| Jim Merz |
| Jim, how about sending a set to me and I'll post them on Ttalk? |
| Bud Krueger |
| Jim, I really appreciate this. John |
| John Redman |
| I just did this for my TF. I shorten the end links and had to modify the horn mounting plates. It is tight for a TF because of the horns but dooable. I welded in a 1/4" thick reinforcement plate for the end links to the existing spring pan arms. Not difficult at all. John |
| John Progess |
| Didn't know that it was possible to install an anti-sway bar on the TD's front suspension! I thought I read somewhere that you put too great strain on the chassis suspension members if you do so. This because of the fact that the chassis is more or less designed to flex a bit, and by installing an anti sway bar you make the whole construction a lot more stiff which brings a far greater strain on the scuttle area than were it was originally designed for ???!!! Please correct me when I'm wrong. Is it by the way, really an improvement to fit an anti sway bar on a TD ? I've never driven a TD but what I do know is that on my MGA I never felt the need to make the suspension even more stiff !! Nick, 52TD/63midget. |
| D.G.J. Herwegh |
| Jim, could you send me the photos also. I just bought my sway bar and when I went to install it, it looks like I would have to cut some on the front pan. Know of others that have installed this and everyone says there is no cutting so I must be looking at something wrong. Any help would be appreciated. |
| Tom Maine |
| Tom, I dont know what kind of sway bar you have but mine was salvaged from a donor MGB. I cleaned and painted them and used all new rubber parts except for the links which were OK to use. The B parts fit on my TD like they were made for it. I used the B spring pans and front arms which have the beef up provision for the link. All the parts fit with the reused TD parts. I'll send the photos four photos. |
| Jim Merz |
| John Go fot the MGB 3/4" diameter anti-roll bar rather than the standard 9/16" version. The cornering on my TF was transformed. I have emailed 3 photos. |
| John James |
| Jim, Your control links are long and pass behind and over the steering rack. John, Yours are shorter and go under. So far I cannot tell if I have room because mine is MkII but now I know where TFs have their horns located. John |
| John Redman |
| John James' images are at http://www.ttalk.info/picture_this.htm I see what you TF folks mean when you talk about the horns being in harm's way. I expect to get some from Jim Merz shortly. I've asked Jim to add a bit of text so that maybe a complete page can be made up. Perhaps John might do so also. |
| Bud Krueger |
| I'm wondering 'what if' as in "What if one were to attach the sway bar to the REAR A-Arms and mount it to the really much heavier steel CROSS-MEMBER?" That way my little andrex shocks wont be crowded. Any MkII speakers on this subject? John |
| John Redman |
| Bud, I can take some photos of my TF and a little narrative. Do you want them on the BB or just available for email to anyone? John |
| John Progess |
| John, I'd be happy to post the narrative and images. If there's enough I'll do a Tech page with them. Just send them directly to me. |
| Bud Krueger |
| ... talk about timing. I'm in Florida, and just a few minutes ago returned from Venice with a MGB sway bar in my boot. I have a set of pans and arms on the way from a chap in Winnipeg, and have only to order the drop links, big end bushings and new rubbers. The sway bar I got for my TF is ½-inch, but I understand that 9/16" is available as is a 5/8". Should I stick with the half-inch? Or what?? Gord Clark Rockburn, Qué. |
| Gordo A. Clark |
| Gord, the stiffer the better! |
| John James |
| John, We're talking about sway bars, here! Gord Clark |
| Gordon A. Clark |
| I was Gord, honest I was! I fitted a 5/8 bar, the same diameter as the one that replaced the 9/16" bar on my MGB. Judging by the improvement gained with only a 1/16" increase in diameter I think a 3/4" bar would be even better. |
| John James |
| Can I re-direct to my question which I will update and restate. Can I put a swaybar on a MkII? Is it overkill? John |
| John Redman |
| John If the MkII front suspension is standard TD/TF, a swaybar can only improve the handling/steering. Without windhorns to move, fitting a swaybar on a TD should be an easy job. |
| John James |
| I now have images from Jim Merz for his TD conversion and from John James for the TF. I'm expecting another set from John Progess for a TF system. Later today I'll try to get a Tech page posted with the info on it. |
| Bud Krueger |
| MGB 5/8 inch bar W/ 480# MGB rubber bumper high performance springs works GREAT. Len |
| Len Fanelli |
| Here are the images and instructions regarding anti roll bars for TDs and TFs that I've received from Jim Merz, John James and John Progess: http://www.ttalk.info/ARB_systems.htm |
| Bud Krueger |
| The use of an Austin Healey anti-sawy bar makes the job a lot easier, since the fixing holes are horizontal and fit in an Austin Healey bolt that attaches to the front suspension with no modification to the TD. Denis |
| Denis L. Baggi |
| Any photos of the Healey swap...? |
| gordon lawson - TD 27667 |
This thread was discussed between 29/03/2005 and 18/04/2005
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