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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TF Wiper Spindle

Hi
Question to you TF owners. I have posted a photo of the windscreen wiper flange/spindle that came with my car. Is this correct? The set screw/bolt sticks out quite far, even when tight on the shaft. Has someone replaced the original set screws with these on my car?
It seems that a gub screw would be a better solution. Can one of you post a photo of your wiper shaft/spindle if you believe it to be correct?
Thanks

Tom
'54 TF


T Norby

No, and yes. The wiper arm simply clamps on to the shaft, where your collar clamps on. The catalogues have good illustrations of these parts.
David
D. Sander

Thanks. The illustration in the Moss catalog is tiny.
Could you please take a photo of your assembly as it connects to the wiper shaft??

Tom
T Norby

Hi Tom,

Attached photo may be of help

Jan


J Targosz

Tom, They are the same that came off my car. I was told that they came new with that locking bolt sticking out like yours, mine was the same. I believe they were an aftermarket item to convert to the slip on wiper arms that we all know, my old arms even have swivel heads. I put the ones on Moss sells with the jam nut on them, cleaner looking. PJ
Paul S Jennings

The problem is that they are almost useless and the wiper motor has barely enough power to move them. LaVerne came up with a solution by changing to a more powerful Sprite 2-speed wiper motor hidden from view. This makes a lot of sense to me, even though for a RHD car hiding the new motor under the scuttle is more of a challenge. It needs to go under the LHS. Or use Rain-X.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Thank you for posting the photo Jan.
Dave Hill, I agree that the wipers are of little help. Given that I avoid driving in the rain, I think I'll keep the setup I have, save the $60 I would spend on new arms, and just shorten those setscrews. If they were not so overly long, I think they would look better.

Tom
T Norby

I think you would have issues with the new arms Tom. It appears that the spindle has been ground flat on one side for the set screw...actually a good idea for the setup you have...but not so with the stock clamp collar arangement. And yes the Spridget motor has proven most useful around here in the last month. I feel like I have moved to Seattle.
MG LaVerne

Tom, You might find a set screw the right size with a hex recess for an Allen wrench. Since they weren't an original item, you could re tap it for a set screw with different threads. Who's to know. The pair I have look like new, but I'm setting those aside with the 4 extra arms I have, you never know. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Thanks guys
I have shortened the screws a few millimeters. Painted the collars and screws silver and it all looks much better. It's good to know what I have on my TF.

Tom
T Norby

Does anybody know of a source for the rubber seal that sleeves over the wheelbox - I have not found a part listing in any catalogue?
Thanks
A G Gillies

A. G. Gillen

I think it is Item 12 on page 42 "TF Rubber" MGT 143 Jan 2015 Moss US

Grommet Set, Wiper Shaft 281-168 $10.65 for 2

Hope This Helps

Don H
Don Harmer

Don H
Thanks very much - I missed that in the catalogue and I talked to Moss and they did not identify it either.
Much appreciated. Tony
A G Gillies

LaVerne, as you know I DO live in the greater Seattle area and the two-speed wiper conversion system that you suggested is one of the best improvement I've made to the TF. A consistently reliable, two-speed system that actually keeps the window clear of water.

John
John Brickell

Do we have a specific part number for the two speed wiper motor? What mods must be made, if any? Will it mount in the original holes? Will the original cable housing and cable fit the 2 speed motor assembly? PJ
Paul S Jennings

Laverne's idea is to keep everything looking original and hide the two speed wiper underneath the scuttle. I won't say anymore as he is bound to give you a proper reply. I want to make a similar upgrade on my RHD car but am currently thinking that the new two-speed motor needs to go under the LHS to avoid the steering column. Doesn't look too difficult as it just means extending the cable cover on the LHS and inserting the cable rack from that end (the most difficult part should be getting it through the wheelboxes - I know because I already inserted a new cable rack from the original wiper motor in the hope it would improve things - it didn't).
Dave H
Dave Hill

Paul, I used a Spridget two speed wiper motor. It's much more robust motor. Many British cars use the same wiper motor..in fact my brother inlaws kit Cobra came with a reproduction one. The magnets were broken in his and I fixed him up with some parts to make it servicable. They can be had for not a lot of money used...around 50 bucks. The key if you don't know what the motor came off of is to open it up and have a look at the degree marking on the gear wheel. Different cars used a different degree of sweep. I had one here that 120* I think ...and it was too much sweep. The midget has 105 which is just about perfect. I think John wound up using one that had 110 or 115 but I don't recall exactly.

It will not mount in the original holes. It's not for the purist and if you don't see yourself driving in the rain when you get done with the car, I wouldn't consider it. My TF is a driver and the stock system just didn't cut it for me.

Dave, I see no reason why you couldn't fit one to the LHS ..but yes it's a PITA to get at the wheel boxes.

Here is a before demonstration.... Well I thought I had one...what you can't see is I usually got a single swipe or maybe two..very low speed....and yes I serviced the motor before I started driving the car. The motor is just too tired to be useful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utwmmfqoh7I
MG LaVerne

After completely striping the cable assembly, soaking everything in a cleaning solution and lubricating in a thin white grease, my system works very well for a one speed system. I would prefer a two speed system though, as long as no cutting or drilling is involved. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Here is the result..at low speed about a month ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k30XqvCZX4c&feature=youtu.be

To do the two speed motor Paul you have to use a toggle switch instead of the stock PIA switch arrangement. I thought mine worked well too...until the time came to put it to the test. If I open the bonnet, this is what you see... stock motor but it's no longer connected..electrically or mechanically.


MG LaVerne

Here is a dry demonstration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k30XqvCZX4c&feature=youtu.be
MG LaVerne

I found this to be another useful modification.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTouWowzLXU
MG LaVerne

Here is a link to John's blog on his two speed wiper motor Paul.

http://mgtf54.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-02-07T17:38:00-08:00&max-results=7
MG LaVerne

Thanks LaVerne, I'll look for a Spriget wiper motor. I'm not changing it now, as I want to get this thing on the road first. Still waiting on Moss for my side curtain kit. PJ
Paul S Jennings

This thread was discussed between 24/05/2015 and 04/06/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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