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MG TD TF 1500 - Correct Bolts for TF Bumpers

When I bought the TF, the bumper was bolted on to the fenders, not the capture nuts in the frame horns, which were stipped out (see photo). The PO used sockets for spacers.

Tyler Irwin

A box of parts included the bumper bolts (7/16 BSF) seen in the photo. The long ones are 2.5" long and will not fit into the rear bumper brackets. Only the short bolts will.

1. I assume the 2 short bolts are for the rear bumper and 2 of the long bolts are for the front bumper, correct? I wonder why the car came with 6 bumper bolts.

Thanks for any help.
Tyler

Tyler Irwin

You need the 4 longs ones for the bumpers front and rear. Could have been a kit for a TD. The TD takes two shorter ones to mount the rear valance. The TF doesn't use the two lower holes on the rear of the frame. I have no idea why they left them in the frame.

The bumpers have some solid spacers behind the bar mount and the TD rear valance does not.

Hopefully that's a Whitworth socket you got there.

MG LaVerne

There are two different bolts and two different spacers and there are also "packing Pieces" or curved washers on the bumpers.
Moss does not seem to show the parts. Abingdon does.

It appears from the Abingdon site that the TF and TD arraignment is the same.

The Front bumper to frame is Abingdon Part # 41-007.
The rear bumper to frame is 41-006 which is cross referenced to 23-405 which is listed as a 1/2-16 by 16 tpi bolt.
The front bumper spacer is larger than the rear and is part # 41-004.
the rear is 41-003.
I may have a set of rear ones.
Between the bumper brackets thst bolt to the frame and the bumper are, what Abingdon calls, "Packing Pieces".
These are rectangular washers with one side curved to fit the bumper.

The originals were cast Zinc. Abingdon's are extruded aluminum.

I did not use Abingdons, since I was concerned about Aluminum in contact with my expensive bumpers.
I made some.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

La Verne,
The brackets on the rear bumper are smaller than the brackets on the front. Those long bolts cannot be fitted into the smaller rear brackets to screw into the frame horns. How do you get the long ones to go through the bracket holes?

Tyler
Tyler Irwin

Tyler, I seem to remember I had to put them in before I assembled the bumper bar.

I think were talking different bolts Jim
MG LaVerne

Front spacers are steel rear one aluminium. Long bolts (2.5") to the rear, shorter ones (1.75") to the front. If you have a badge bar you will need long ones to the front, If the threaded holes in the chassis are stripped and have not been drilled out (unlikely since few people have a 1/2" plus hand held drill) you will be able to retap at M14 and bolts of this size are readilly available in all lengths. The spacers that fit into the bumper bar and prevent it crushing can be cast from lead or fibreglass reinforced putty.

Jan T
J Targosz

LaVerne and Jan,
The long bolts will not physically fit into the TF rear bumper brackets (photo). There is a lack of room between the bolt's hex head and the bumper side of the bracket. It presents a bit of a problem.
Tyler

Tyler Irwin

It should go in if you chamfer the holes where the bolt threads hit on each side. No change to the hole center and hidden under the bolt head. PJ
Paul S Jennings

We're missing something here. I wonder how the long bolts originally went in and came out of the bracket without the chamfer. Tyler
Tyler Irwin

Well, I found my old rear bumper brackets, and the mounting holes are elongated, just like Paul suggested. So, it's off to the machinist tomorrow for both brackets to elongate the holes (I don't have a good way to do it at home and make it look good).

I guess I shouldn't be suprised by now at Moss quality, but it sure isn't the first time it's happened and it sure gets frustrating.

Thanks for everyone's input. I always appreciate the help in getting the car put back together.

Tyler
Tyler Irwin

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised by now at Moss quality, but it sure isn't the first time it's happened and it sure gets frustrating".

I know how you feel Tyler. I used to have a full head of hair! I'll add it to the list. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2014 and 21/12/2014

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