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MG TD TF 1500 - TF rear spring question

Question...should there be any noticeable arc in the rear springs as the car sits static?

Mine appear pretty darn straight from front to rear. I'm experiencing some bottoming out over bumps at speed. I had refurbished them 20 years ago with new rubber pads (that was all). There is no excessive bouncing when I press down on the rear quarters, so I think the shocks are good.

Off the car they did have an arc but can't recall the measurements. Maybe time to replace as they are some 57 years old?

When I reinstalled, the car was raised with the weight of the rear-end/tire & wheels bearing down on the springs (shock was disconnected) then torqued them and lowered the car to the ground.

Something's not right and I'm thinking perhaps fatigued springs?

Jim
Jim Rice

The TF rear spring is flat when loaded and this can lead to bottoming. I fitted TD springs many years ago, this stopped the bottoming (I tow a trailer),I also noticed that it seemed to reduce roll oversteer.
Also check your shocker movement.
Ray TF2884
Ray Lee

As Ray says...they are flat when the car is sitting on the pavement. Mine bottoms out on rough bumps and I have been thinking about finding some TD springs to replace them with to correct that.
L E D LaVerne

LaVerne, do you think re-arching them would be advisable? I've read where TD springs ad too much height to the back end on a TF, but I've never seen one that was done. PJ
PJ Jennings

Either way it will raise the back end of the car Paul. Whether it is objectionable or not is a matter of personal taste I would suppose. I had a friends TF at my place I worked on for a few months and it had both TD rear springs and MGB rubber bumper front springs on it and I could see the difference right off. Most wouldn't notice I suppose but it does take away from the "low slung look" of the TF.

Maybe you can see the difference between the two in these pictures.





L E D LaVerne

Rides slightly high but nobody has ever commented on it. Been like this for 20+ years.
You could possibly get used TD springs that some one is changing if you don't like the new ride height.
I know the tonneau is the wrong colour but it was a gift and is waterproof vinyl.
Ray TF 2884





Ray Lee

So, the bottoming out is kinda normal then....humm.

I have a couple ideas...not sure they are valid or not but here goes..

Lower tire pressures to absorb the bumps better...I'm running at 32PSI. Shortening the rear bump stops to allow more suspension travel before bottoming out. And finally...doing the 60's trick and replacing the rear shackles with some fabricated about an inch or so longer to provide more clearance/travel. That likely has the same effect as putting on TD springs. Potential downside to this approach might be screwing up the suspension geometry and handling.

If going the TD spring route, is there any issue with those spanning the attached points on a TF? Are they the same length and just bolt in?

Feel free to shoot holes in any/all of those ideas!!

Jim
Jim Rice

Most owners I know run at 28 psi.
The TD and TF chassis are the same except for the fuel pump mount on the TF being at the back.
Putting on longer shackles will change the handling. As the axle is deflected up one side and down the other the wheels move back and forward giving some rear wheel steering. Think about skateboard trucks.
Changing shackles can improve or totally wreck your handling
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 22/01/2022 and 24/01/2022

MG TD TF 1500 index

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