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 - loud rattle

My 1953 TD has a very prominent rattle that seems to come from low in the car. It appears with even the slightest bump in the road and sound like a wooden board bouncing around.
Any suggestions?

Bill
Ann Arbor, Michigan
W Chandler

I'd inspect the rear gearbox mount, sometimes it breaks.

Look for pictures on:
http://www.british-cars.org/mgtd-mgtf1500-bbs/rear-mount-for-d-sander-201011141618063555.htm
Willem vd Veer

Willem-
Thanks for your suggestion.
How would I test for this?
Can I get under the car and see the broken rear gearbox mount? Will it feel loose if I push on it?

I looked at the photos you linked to, but hard for me to picture exactly where this is on the car.

Thanks-
Bill
W Chandler

Bill, I had what sounds like exactly the same symptoms ("sounds like wood when going over bumps") after restoration this summer. It was a loose bolt on one rear shock where the "link" connects to the arm. I tightened it up and fixed it immediately and hasn't come back since! Others here had the same experience. My theory is that a lot of these shocks are rebuilt and that bolt is left loose to make installation easier. In my case I just forgot to tighten it. Check it out.
Ed
efh Haskell

I followed Ed's advice and checked my shock bolts, including the mounting bolts to the frame. Tightening one of the shocks' mounts solved the clunking noise... and yes it did sound like a wooden board hitting the chassis!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Bill,

I'd first inspect the bolts on the shock absorbers!

If that doesn't help I'll answer your question: you can see the mount from under the car at the rear of the gearbox. Correctly it is called the 'rear casing clevis pin holes'.

You probably have to lift the 'box with a jack to inspect any damage.
Willem vd Veer

Thank you all! I found a loose bolt that connects the rear shock on left to the frame of the car. I had to hold the inside nut and tighten the bolt with the wheel off. Quiet as mouse now....
Bill
W Chandler

Yay! Feels good to know you may have helped.
efh Haskell

well done Ed, chapeau !! greetings, huib
Huib Bruijstens

This thread was discussed between 14/11/2011 and 22/11/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

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