MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 - Which part to carry

Which part should you carry with you for a long travel? Apart the usual points, fan belt, etc... are there any components which are know to be weak, and can let you stuck in the middle of nowhere if you have not the replacement part with you? I have heard about the half shafts, can anyone confirm or suggest other parts?
Jean-Marc Thély

Jean-Marc - Unfortunately, it is very possible to get completely carried away with carrying spare parts. I have seen list of parts that should be carried that would require having a parts truck following. If someone is that paranoid about breakdowns, they should perhaps travel in something other than an MG. I carry points, condenser, set of pre-gapped spark plugs, fan belt (although there is very little chance of a fan belt breaking) a spare set of hoses and a fuel pump. We have taken two trips in excess of 5000 miles through the Western United States in the TD and have never had to use any of the spares. The secret, as far as I am concerned, is to start the trip with a well maintained car. Regarding the half shaft, I am just always very carefull to make sure that I never let the car roll backward when I am letting the clutch out as this is the one thing that will break a half shaft very quickly. I always hold the car with the hand brake on any kind of a hill. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

Jean-Marc
I have an excell spread sheet which lists all of my spares and where in the car they are kept,, I will E-Mail it to you,,, As far as Half shafts are concerned ,, I have seen them snap by just letting the clutch out normaly ... I usually carry one (with nut to make sure it fits) for use either in my car or to lend to another unfortunate T owner on the trip... At the G.O.F. in Reading PA a few years ago. there were three cars that had to replace half shafts.
SPW
Steve

A good adjustable wrench/spanner, a couple of pliers and screw drivers, some duct tape, a few wire ties, a spare SU fuel pump, some loose wire and a credit card. Unless you are doing the trans-Sahara, have faith in your prep/maint. work. They are robust cars which do not need fussing. Put the windscreen down and enjoy the ride.
Safety Fast
Paul
Paul

For a long trips away from the local area, I too used to carry an axle half shaft. On one trip, I was very happy I did! I was also lucky to have installed the bearing on the spare shaft. With no press or way to swap the bearing from the broken half shaft to the new one on the road, you are in bad shape.
Jim Merz

Jean-Marc, I would definitely have replacement points, plugs and condenser and fan belt. I would also take a spare set of carb cork seals (in a small jar, soaked in light oil), a tube of gasket sealer such as Hylomar and a spare half shaft complete with bearing (this can be placed in a polythene bag and strapped to the chassis so it doesn't take up luggage space). On a long trip I would think about either taking a apare fuel pump or fitting a second pump like the TD Mk2. Other than that, the technology is simple enough for any competent mechanic to understand. Enjoy the trip. AB
Adrian Bennett

Some extra lengths of electrical wire and a pair of vice grips is one of the other things I include. Don't know why, but most of the things I have had break while on the road are usually things I don't have the exact tool for and the vice grips will usually work on these.

Last thing I had a problem with was a leak from the rear water jacket plate on the head. Of course I did not have a angled screwdriver, but the vice grips were able to get to the old round head screws.

Oh yes, some emery paper. for those sticky fuel pump points.
Bruce Cunha

Thank you all for your replies and Steve of his impressive list (I did not realize that there is so much room in a T type to carry all that bits).

It confirms that the most likely faults come, as usual, from the wearing parts and the electrical parts, and that just some common tools are needed to cope with them. My turn for a suggestion, take with you a small piece of emeri paper. It saved my life when the engine died by the fault of a rotor which had a tracking to ground. It can serve also to clean points, contact, etc

It confirms also that the shafts are a sensible part of the car. Most of you take care of them. Three shafts repaired at GOF, it is a lot to me, I would not expect any.

All your replies are interresting, however it would be interresting to have some statistics of the real breakdowns.
Jean-Marc Thély

Thanks for helping me make up a list of items to watch for on e-bay.

Dave - can you explain what exactly is a half-shaft?

Steve Markman
50TD
Steve Markman

Hi Steve, a half shaft is another term for a rear axle.

Don't even think of buying a second hand one. Buy new ones if you happen to break one.

In all my years of T Type ownership I have only ever seen these broken through rough treatment. The break may not occur immediately but it will be triggered by abuse in the past, maybe by a previous owner. Remember that these cars were used for all sorts of motorsport in a previous life.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

Paul,

I figured it probably was something that simple.

Regards from the 'states.

Steve Markman
50 TD
Steve Markman

This thread was discussed between 02/06/2003 and 12/06/2003

MG TD TF 1500 index

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