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MG TD TF 1500 - Body tub shimming

I have been trying to adjust the door gap in my TD by adding shims to one of the tub mounting points (I want to widen the gap so I want to add a shim to the middle mounting point). I have removed the floor boards and removed the bolts from the mounting points. The problem I have is getting the tub to lift enough from the chassis to get a shim in. I have tried gently jacking up the tub close to the middle mounting point but it does not want to move and I don't want to be too brutal with it. Is anyone able to advise?
Thanks
Pete
P Willows

Make sure you remove (significantly extend) all the attachment points on the side you are going to adjust.

Since you want to open the door then lift the car so there is space under each pad point. Place your shim material under the door point. Then tighten that nut/bolt.

Now go to the forward and rearward points and slowly, and alternatively, tighten those bolts too and keep checking the opening. You may want to stop the process and not how much shim material you need to fill those gaps or alternatively reduce or increase the center pad. You will need at least some padding at each place.

Once you have the door opening where you want it then tighten down ALL the attachment points on that side of the car. Repeat for the other side.

This is a fairly simple but repetitive game. You might also find that one side effects the other slightly so be prepared to fine tune after you finish both sides.
Christopher Couper

You may need to remove the upper tire rack to run bolts to lift the side your working on. You should be able to use a pinch bar between the angle iron and chassis to pry up on the tub. Keep in mind that though you may widen the jamb gap at the front and bottom you will effectively narrow the gap at the top front where it meets the scuttle. Then you likely need to adjust the hinges It is tedious. I had a lengthy thread on building my dads tub and doors. But I’m sorry I don’t remember the titles to either at the moment.
W A Chasser

Is the tub new? Why do you want to widen the door gap? Is the door a tight fit?
Bob Marshall
R J Marshall

Thanks for those comments. The body tub is not new but the door is tight in its opening - catching on the top front edge. There's no gap below the door at the front - the door is just very slightly too big for the opening at this point. I was hoping to be able to make a very slight adjustment with the shims. The problem is that the body seems stuck fast to the chassis, so no prospect of adding shims at the moment. Maybe I'll try carefully with a pry bar as suggested. Failing that I'll try tweaking the door instead - certainly plenty of advice on the subject on the forum!
P Willows

I appreciate you may well have checked the obvious, but the hinges are in good order one assumes.
JK Mazgaj

Yes I re-bushed one hinge and replaced the other so they're good. It made a big improvement to the way the door hangs but can't get round the door too big for the opening problem.
P Willows

have you slacked off the firewall to chassis stanchion bolts? it all needs to be slack to adjust everything.
Also, check that there is not a wide gap between the hinge plates when the door is shut. If at any time the door flies open it tends to bend the hinge curve flatter which moves the door forward.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

If there are no shims in there at all then there is a good chance they have rusted together. There should be at least thin shims at all the frame mount points.

It sure would not hurt to find a flat chisel or such and tap it between the body and chassis rests just to break the bond loose.
Christopher Couper

Many thanks for the various suggestions. I will give them a try and report back!
P Willows

I tried the various suggestions but couldn't get the door gap to change - I just seemed to be bending the metal rails that sit on the shims. Since the only problem I have is with one of the doors catching I think I'll leave the tub alone and try a bit of minor surgery on the door. At least if I mess it up it's only the door that'll need replacing!
Cheers
Pete
P Willows

Maybe a picture of your body frame would help us help you.

Shimming the center area while the two outboard bolts are locked down should result in a pretty substantial opening at the top.
Christopher Couper

Thanks Christopher. I have managed to get a reasonable fit by making a small adjustment to the top of the door, so I think I'll leave the tub alone. I just need to get the latch to catch properly now - nearly there!
Pete
P Willows

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2021 and 04/04/2021

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