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MG TD TF 1500 - Toe -In/Out

I'm confused, which is nothing new.

Before I worked on the TF front end, the steering wheel was centered while driving straight. I didn't check the toe-in before I took everything apart.

If I set the toe-in correctly (nil according to the manual), does the steering "automatically" become centered?

Thanks, Greg
Greg Van Hook

Greg
It depends on the position of the Tie rod ends. Ideally there should be the same number of threads visible on each side. You can "fine tune" steering wheel alignment with the TRE's. If you have lost the settings completely it migh be best to take the car to garage with a wheel alignment bay.
John
John James

Greg - Ideally, when making the to in adjustments care must be taken to keep the tie rods at an equal length so the steering is the same side to side (ie. lock to lock being the same amount of turns from the centre position of the steering wheel. Just centering the steering wheel by rotating the steering shaft does not accomplish this. It has been my experience that the shops are not as careful about this adjustment as you and I might be. I always get my wheels adjusted as close as possible, while keeping the tie rods equal length and then take the car into a shop and have them refine the adjustment An alternative would be to make or buy a good trammel bar set up and do all the adjusting yourself.
Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

I just took the TF out for a drive. The steering wheel is in the exact same place as when I started. The paint trick worked for me. I have to check to see if the tie rods are equal length. I don't think so.

If not, then somebody in the past really faked it, right? The steering wheel has been centered but everything else isn't necessarily so.

The MGB V8 bushings are awesome, but I suppose compared to what I took off, anything would be. No shakes and rattles anymore. The ride feels nice and firm, too.

The oil gun worked great to fill the steering gearbox, and the new boots aren't leaking (yet?).

Greg
Greg Van Hook

Greg - If you have a problem with leaks aroung the rack housing where the seal seats on it, you may have to smooth the surface down with a small file to effect a good seal. But for the present - nothing succeds like success - good show! Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Greg - great.
If the number of visible tie rods threads differ too much you will get unequal lock and may even over tension a brake hose. The PO set up my MGB with 16 threads visible on the left TRE and 8 on the right and then over painted them black!. Full left steering lock caused the steering arm to touch the left ARB drop link and overstretched the left hose. The car could go round very tight left hand corners but almost failed it's annual MOT test because the left hose appeared to be too short! Are you going to fit an Anti Roll Bar Greg?
John
John James

David & John,

Success!

Well, there was only a small difference of threads on each side, and lock to lock was only slightly off. But, there was about an inch of toe-in.

I re-set the toe-in to zero using the little wooden jig I made for the TC, trying to get equal threads on each side.

When I did a road test, it was steering just a bit to the right with the wheel centered, so, just half a turn on each side to point the wheels a bit more left and it's all set perfectly!

Just for fun, I measured the track and I got 48 1/4" - the manual says 48 3/16". Not too shabby!

Thanks for your help, again.

Greg
TF 6846 XPAG 797
Greg Van Hook

This thread was discussed between 28/02/2004 and 29/02/2004

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