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MG TD TF 1500 - Brake Anti Rattle Springs

Do I need the "acorn" antirattle springs on the brake shoes? I was having problems pushing my partly completed car in a forwards direction but no issue rearwards. I found the rear brakes were binding, even when slackened off. After removing the drums I noted the antirattle springs were preventing the shoes self centring. After a temporary refit of the drums, sans springs, all appears free. I also note that the manual shows no springs. I have ordered new ones in case my old ones were distorted but wonder if I should do without them.

Cheers

Jan T
J Targosz

Jan, I would have a good look at the back plates. They are handed and if they were taken off the axle and assembled on the wrong side then you would have the symptoms you describe. Been there ,done that.

MG LaVerne

i don't use the AR springs in the back, and haven't experienced any problems as you state,,

Make sure that you read the MOSS modification requirements about cutting these to fit! (if you ordered from Moss)

Steve
Steve Wincze

One query and another (big) mystery. First how can I tell which is the right and left back plate? I need to dismantle the cylinders since I have just noted the handbrake lever rubber boot has split. This was brand new and the car hasn't been used since it was fitted. Maybe due to the wrong sided backplates? Now for the mystery. Page M6 Fig M7 of the workshop manual shows the rear brakes being adjusted. It is clearly the rear since you can see the handbrake cable. However the brake drum isn't integral with the splined hub and looks to be the same as a front hub but with a smaller central hole. My rear drums have been cast with the female spline as part of the drum. Are there different types of drum? Are mine correct for a TF? Or is the manual wrong?


Jan
J Targosz

Hi Jan,
also check the spring tang has gone in the slot and is not hung on the outside of the receiver. As Steve says, you may have to shorten the tang on the spring.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Hi again Jan,
try archives "Rear brake backing plates" March 2011 this should help.
Ray
Ray Lee

The plates are stamped...find it the markings behind the shoes. They will have the number with either LH or RH. Easy enough to mix them up going back on the axle and put everything back together. If that happens the opening in the shoe won't be in line with the spring retainer, but close enough you can get it together and then have the problems you described.
MG LaVerne

This thread was discussed on 29/01/2015

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