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MG TD TF 1500 - rattle after restoration

Hi all,
Now that my restoration is done and I'm driving it I've noticed a very annoying rattle coming from the rear somewhere. Only happens when you go over a bump. It's driving me nuts! Sounds like 2 pieces of wood or metal hitting each other, like side curtains bouncing around or something.
I've checked everything obvious. Shocks are new from Peter. Springs rebuilt by me. U-bolts are tight. I've removed all loose objects (tools, jack, side curtains, etc.) I personally installed every nut and bolt on the car and I know they are tight, yet something is obviously loose!
My question is has anyone had such a symptom after restoration? I know this is a pretty "general" question, but you never know till you ask so I've discovered. Any tips and ideas are appreciated!

Regards,
Ed
efh Haskell

Ed,
It always seems to be the nut or bolt that you knew was tight that was actually loose enough to make a noise! Go back and tighten everything in an orderly fashion to make sure,,, The shock links would be a prime suspect,,,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Ed, what's in your side curtain compartment? Bud
Bud Krueger

Ed,

I have the exact same noise lately. I've tightened my floorboards, and crawled underneath looking for something loose. In fact, I've even considered posting your exact post, but could not make it clear enough in my minds eye before posting.

Thanks for bringing this up. I hope we each find our answers!

I have not driven without my side curtains, as they jam in so tight I figure it can't be them... but who knows?

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Ed,
Your story sounds like very much like an experience I had.
For months, maybe a year I too chased sure a noise just like that!
I moved the frame up and down with an under hoist foot operated device while the car was on my lift to replicate driving over a speed bump.
I discovered while the rear shocks were tight to the frame, one bolt needed a bit more tightening.

Hope this helps,
Lee
L. B. Tyson

Ed

Couple things you could check, one is the shock link with the bushings...are they tight or can the shock arm contact the link? The other thing that can drive you crazy is the handcrank. If you have one clipped in the spring clips behind the seat, the clips are not so tight that they will hold the crank without movement and they will "tinkle" while going over bumps. Another thought is to check the drive shaft bolts (front and rear) to ensure they are tight.

Let us know how you make out.

Brian
Brian Smith (1950 TD3376)

Ed,

I had the same issue and found it to be the hubcap inserts which rattled while going over bumps.

Regards,
Jim
James Neel

Check the exhaust, make sure it is tight and that the axle isn't hitting it on bounce or something.
George Butz

BINGO! Brian Smith is the winner!

I pulled the right rear tire and checked every bolt. The bolt that holds the shock link to the bushing was indeeed loose! Don't ask me why. I haven't a clue unless it's always been this way. Just took a test ride and the banging seems to have gone! I'll try again later to make sure it's not just blind optomism though. I think they are probably shipped this way so the user can make final adjustments. I probably never made this one. Since I read at least 2 others above with the same results I'll bet that's it.

So, here goes. I'm actually going to be GIVING my advice to Dave Braun. (That's a good one, eh?) Dave, go check all the bolts on your rear shocks and let us know if that fixes it. We'll be waiting...

Thanks guys,
Ed


efh Haskell

...I had an annoying rattle sound only on bumps at low speeds.... had just adjusted the brakes and turned out to be the front left hub cap...turned it till it became tighter and the noise was gone....
Still have that MG rattle as I get to about 3500 rpm.... seem to remember it on my MGA....not sure?
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Gordon, we just had a big discussioin of the "MG Shake" over the weekend. lots of theorys from unbalanced tires to that is just the way they are. I think most of us have the rattle/shake. Mine comes at about 3300rpm and is gone by 3500 or so. Scuttle shakes and I know my tires are balanced. I have wire wheels on and others have steel rims and we all get the shake about the same RPM's. If anyone figures it out, let us know.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

I think it's the 1/2" socket that disappeared, somewhere in my garage....Don't know how it got into your car , though! (LOL).
E.B. Wesson

Tom...yes, I have the shake as well, same rpm, no this is a rattle coming from either below the driver or rear of engine compartment...almost like the temperture gauge cable/tube rattling on an engine stay...or a brake line hitting the frame....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

I'll add my $.02 to support the loose shock bolt. Had the exact same problem years ago. I had checked everything where wood was involved because that's what it sounded like...two pieces of wood slapping together every time I went over a bump. Someone finally suggested I check the rear shock attach bolts. Found one loose on each shock.
Kevin O Martin

Humm,, shock links would be a prime suspect!!

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Well, Ed, (and Steve, and Brian, and any one else who voted for shocks)... I tightened my shocks, and the 'floor board' rattle is gone!

I thought about doing so many times, but I kept talking myself into doing something else. So thanks to everyone for the great tip! And Ed... you can give me advice anytime. After all, you've restored an entire car, and so you are very qualified to do so! Thanks Ed!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Well, that is indeed interesting. At least 4 of us with the same "wood banging together" sounds with the same cause! Now the $64 question. What exactly was making this sound? Something has to be hitting something else to make a sound yet I saw no evidence of anything being impacted in the shock area. All my paint is new and would have seen a telltale mark I think?? The only thing I saw was that some of the black paint on the side of the shock link itself may have been rubbed off but I can't honestly say it hasn't always been that way. Was the shock arm/link hitting the floor above it? My tire is back on now but I remember thinking that to be impossible when I looked up there. I think we should know exactly what is going on here are we'll loose sleep (ok, maybe just me). What made that noise??
Ed
efh Haskell

Go ahead and lose sleep. hehhehehhh

No really, I think the back of the shock was banging on the chassis. The resulting bang was also transmitting through the wood, deadening the sound.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Ed

Just to add to this post, once I had my car on the road we went on a long trip with the Pre56 Group out of Vancouver BC and the road to our destination was extremelly bumpy. By the time we arrived I felt that the car seemen "soft" in the back end. Upon checking I found that the link and shock arm had parted company ( I know the link is not easy to get into the rubber). As this changes the handling of the car and ride, I have since made a modification that has worked wonderfully. I drilled a small hole in the link and installed a washer and a split pin on both sides of the car and have not had a problem since.....no matter how bumpy the road.

Hope that helps a bit.

Brian
Brian Smith (1950 TD3376)

Check that the MG Medallions are secure. They have a way of making that noise at times. I put putty on all of mine to stop then. Check closely

Ellis
Ellis Carlton

Looks like some of you missed the post in the middle of this thread I made last week (see about 1/2 way above). The problem was a loose bolt in the shock link. All fixed, noise gone! Thanks for all your inputs.
Ed
efh Haskell

Ed,
The mounting bolt was loose and impacting the mounting hole that it fits into. It would be almost impossible for you to duplicate the impact by manually moving the shock or link. The speed at which the link moves when the car hits a bump is very fast and very hard.

''
'
SPW
STEVE WINCZE

This thread was discussed between 01/09/2011 and 07/09/2011

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