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MG TD TF 1500 - runningboardstrips TD

Hello all,
I want to remove the treadstrips from my runnigboards to restore them, but cannot find anything where I can put on a spanner or screwdriver. Under the runnigboard I find small, round metal plugs. Any advise, how to remove the strips without damage?
regards
Frank
F.P. van Geldern

If you are talking about the rubber part then pry them out of the aluminium with a screw driver.

If you want the metal off to polish etc. then you will have to drill the rivets out (from the top just drill the flat head off). To replace get some aluminium flat head rivets. You do this by placing the rivet in from the top. Set the running board upside down with a shaft in a vise with the rivet head sitting on the shaft. Pound on the bottom side of the rivet sticking through the bottom of the running board until the rivet flattens a bit and secures the strip. Repeat for all holes.

Look at another thread earlier to find a source for the running board strip rubber.

Chris
Chris Couper

Chris
thank you for Your advice,
Frank
F.P. van Geldern

Guys,
The hammer and rivet buck is one way but an arbor press, found in most machine shops, is better. Usually anyone with an arbor press also has accumulated a selection of rivet setting tools. Also, if you don't want to buy a box of 1,000 rivets try your local small airport using airport transfers tonbridge. They usually have aircraft structural repair facilities. That means a good selection of top quality aluminum rivets. When they find out you are working on an old MG they get interested because that makes you a brother to the guys restoring older aircraft. Make friends, give a few rides, these guys comprise some of the best engin and sheet metal mechanics you are likely to meet.

Jim H.
53TD
J. M. Haskins

Ordinary Pop or Clik rivets can be used and are very easilly obtainable. The trick though is not to use rivet pliers. Simply knock out the "nail" from the centre of the rivet, place the rivet in the hole and tap over the un flanged end using a small drift. I normally start off with a small centre punch which causes the rivet to bell out slightly and then I finish off with a flat drift. If you are careful you get a very neat job without the dreadful bulge in the rivet caused by using the pliers. I also made very small plastic washers out of a gallon oil container and placed these under the rivet heads to stop the paint chipping.

Oh - by the way I placed my rivets so the machine formed heads were under the running board and my swaged ends under the rubber strips.


Jan T
J Targosz

This thread was discussed between 13/10/2003 and 06/11/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

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