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MG TD TF 1500 - steering rack fittings

Hi,
On my RHD TD, there are two shims between the rack and the cross member brackets so as to change the heigth and the angle of the column. I can't see them on the Moss catalogue. Is it original ?
The thicker part is toward the front and they are made of aluminium.

Laurent.


LC Laurent31

I have never seen them before. They sorta look like a modified set of front shock bump stop spacers in this picture.
L E D LaVerne

No, they are not original - I have never seen them, either. I can't see any benefit, but someone clearly did!

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Laurent,

MGAs and MGBs steering racks require shimming to obtain smooth steering wheel movement but T types don't.
You need to investigate further as to why this was done. The only two reasons I can think of is:
1/ That there is some deformation in the chassis/tub.
2/ Non compatible parts were used on the front axle/steering gear.

John



J Scragg

Laurent, I had a similar Problem on my 53 TD. I ordered a new steering rack from Moss and this was labeled made in Argentina.
Since that time when I replace it I’m happy with the precise steering. Another goody is that I must not longer lubricate the unit. This was always a nightmare for me with the Oil in the Grease gun.
Good luck
Guenter
GK Guenter

I had some similar shims fitted to my MGB to reduce the castor angle in order to lighten the steering. May be a PO of Laurent's car did something
similar.
Lionel TD 3490.
L.F. Thorne

IF you fit an late MGB crossmember into a chrome bumper car and use the early steering rack the rack has to be shimmed with spacers like that to get the angle correct, but I can't see why a TD would have to have them
Unless someone has mistakingly thought they would change the castor angle,,which they don't
William Revit

Thanks for your answers.
Yes, the shims are probably made of the rebound stop.

Well , this made me remember of a previous question I Asked to the forum about strange welds on the chassis :
https://mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=8&subjectar=8&thread=2016040819302120799

The chassis is welded twice just before and after the cross member. As it if was changed...

The shims under the steering rack are probably to compensate for an incorrect position of the cross member after welding.

Incorrect or desired ? I'm wondering if a PO just wanted to decrease the castor angle this way. What for ?


Laurent.





LC Laurent31

I fitted R &P to my Daimler SP 250, including in the kit we’re packing shims,
They were fitted as required to adjust the height of the rack in order to get steering geometry correct in regard to “ Bump Steer”
This may be the reason they are fitted but to also align the steering column and R&P drive shaft.

Trevor A
T Andersen

This thread was discussed between 16/11/2019 and 17/11/2019

MG TD TF 1500 index

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