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MG TD TF 1500 - Taking off the front shocks

I am going to take the front shocks off of my '52 TD. It looks like the bolts on the back side are going to be hard to get to. It looks like I might have to fire up the old torch and bend a wrench into some sort of pretzel shape to get this done. Am I over-reacting? Has anyone here done this before and did you have trouble getting those back bolts out?
P.W. Lester

Take the fender off, then it's a straight shot with a normal extension.
You should have the fender off in any case to get room to work on the front suspension.

Don Harmer

i agree with don..not that he needs me to agree..but with the fender off it is very straight forward. regards, tom
tom peterson

I have a Tf.
The answer to almost any work around the engine and front end is:

First: Remove the front fender, then the engine side panel... etc.
Don Harmer

On a TD, I have changed shocks without fender removal, using a socket universal joint, etc. I may have had to loosen a fender a little, but never had to remove. Removing sure makes it easy however. George
George Butz

Thanks for the input. I suppose I will have to remove the fender after all. I have wondered how difficult that would be when I got around to painting the car. I am about to find out. Paul.
P.W. Lester

Hi Paul,
I've removed the Armstrong shocks from my TD twice in the last year, in fact the LHS shock is off at the moment and back at the repairers having failed spectacularly 4 weeks after refurbishment, (oil everywhere).
Clarify something for me first; fender = wing, not bumper?

I use a 3/8" ratchet wrench onto a 2&3/4" long tommy bar and then a 16mm socket. With this combination all of the bolts are accessable.
The RHS is a bit more fiddly because of the engine steady.

Mike.
Mike Christie

paul, the fender comes off easily. regards, tom
tom peterson

Yes Mike, out here in the colonies fender is what we call wings. Now I admit the term "Wings" is far more poetic. Whats not to like about "Wings on my wheels" And Using the term "Fender" instead of "Bumper" makes a lot of sense as in "I shall use that chrome bar in front of the auto to fend off beggers and street urchins as I speed down the strand"(forgive me, I love Victorian Novels). Anyway as Tom Peterson says it was suprisingly easy to just remove the fender(wing). The down side is that it is really greasy and nasty under there so while I wait for Peter Caldwell to rebuild my shocks I will have several nights of scrapeing and painting to do under there. Thanks to all, Paul.
P.W. Lester

Mike,
The Colonies have corrupted the English language, not only:
Fender = Wing
Hood = Bonnet
Top = Hood
Trunk = Boot
Left and Right Side = near and Far side
transmission = gearbox
tachometer = Rev counter
etc.
so on ad finitum

and elevator = lift

Don Harmer

"Take off the fender" sounds easily but seams for me a tremendous work, isn’t it ?

Not only the number of bolds to the body but also the food board connection and the headlight beam must be removed. In addition the cable to the side lights needs removal.
Any idea how long das it takes ?
Cheers,
Guenter
GK Guenter

GK Guenter

On the TF I can do it in under 30 minutes, A TD might take a little longer because of the headlamp bar.

It does help to have a "helper" that can assist by holding the "wing" when the last bolts are removed.

If you have a TF, you have to get good at this since for almost anything you have to remove the engine side panels to do any serious work on the engine or carbs. On the TC/TD the side panels are attached th the top hood panels and are removed when you open the hood. Lots of room!
Don Harmer

There are two reasons I love my TD in lieu of a TF. The bonnet and the height of the instrument panel. At 6'3" my thighs simply won't comfortably clear the lower edge of the panel on a TF or an MGA (and I am for my height, a relatively slim 212 pounds). For some reason, on a TD it works. I do love the lines of the TF though...

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

G.K., I did the first one in less than an hour as I was learning how. The second one probably took about 15 minutes but my car had disconnects installed in the wiring by some previous owner. It was easy enough that if I had to do any engine work I would definitly take them off again to gain easier access. On the other hand I am not dealing with a 1st class paint job either. If I scratched it doing this I would probably not notice. There are some advantages to having an unrestored car to play with. Paul.
P.W. Lester

Dave,

A fat man can't get in a TF under the steering wheel
Don Harmer

Just a final word on my front shock replacement. I sent them to Peter Caldwell who came highly recommended on this site. He called me the same morning he received them and since I agreed to an exchange, sent them out the same day. Great service! If you decide to use Peter's services e-mail him for proper shipping instructions and any questions. He replied immediately to my e-mail inquiries and always reminded me I could also call anytime. They gave me the tracking info so I would know what day the package would arrive so I could have someone home as the UPS guys just leave stuff on the front porch in plain site. All in all a very positive experience that deserves recognition. Paul.
P.W. Lester

Don, Are you saying I'm fat? LOL.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

"Left and Right Side = near and Far side" That only applies in the UK. In the US it would be just the opposite (I always have to stop and think about that). Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Don. I must be VERTICALLY CHALLENGED,but I can and do sit in a TF without knees hitting instrument panel.
Sandy
Sandy Sanders

This thread was discussed between 14/03/2008 and 27/03/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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