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MG TD TF 1500 - Eary TD Rear Brake Drum Query

Recently I removed a rear brake drum and noticed something unusual. The five short flat head screws that attach the brake drum to the wheel hubs are missing. (I checked the other rear wheel and they are there). The workshop manual is very explicit about not removing these screws (Page H-4 in bold font). I have been driving this car around for 10 years apparently without these bolts. (It seems that the base of the lug nuts are tight enough to hold the brake drum on to the wheel hub.) Assuming I need these bolts, what is the size are these small counter-sunk bolts? They are not listed in the Moss catalog. Thanks.
Joe Holtslag

It does says some hubs and drums were all one piece?

You would think that with the 6 screws missing the hub would not dive on that side and also not brake.

Strange, they did not weld the hub to the drum did they - some time in the past?

Rod

R D Jones

It is my understanding that the earlier TD had a two piece drum (mine is '50 -#3157). It looks like I could simply tap on the lug nuts to free the drum but I didn't try--I put the wheel back on and tightened the lug nuts to keep the assembly together. It looks like about a 1/4 or 5/16 bolt but I can't find the right type of thread.
Joe Holtslag

Good day Mr. Holtslag:

I am not sure about the flat head machine screws but I think they are similar to those on the TC which are 5/16"-22 BSF. As for the length 5/8" or 3/4" might suffice.

Right then give the 5/16" BSF machine screws a go.

Cheers; respectfully:
Jack Emdall, TC6768/TD3191, Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Canada

kernow

Thanks Jack, that was just the info I was looking for. Even if I couldn't find flat heads, I think hex heads would only cause the wheel to protrude 1/4 of an inch more.
Joe Holtslag

Joe, if I understand you correctly, I would be careful bolting the wheels on the drums if hex heads are protruding and not flush. The steel isn't that thick on these rims and when you tighten them down it would more than likely warp the mounting surface.
Richard Taylor TD3983

Good point Richard,
If I can't find the correct bolts, perhaps I would be better served by using common SAE flat-head bolts with lock nuts on the inside (assuming they don't interfere with the brake shoe movement.)
Joe Holtslag

Good day again Mr. Holtslag:

Moss sells the BSF screws I wrote about for the TC but for some reason, I cannot recall what it is, there is a length difference regarding the front vs the rear hubs.

For that reasoning, they are sold under two separate part numbers containing four screws per set.

323-748 and 323-978

Now, for the life of me, I cannot recall which of the two are the longer.

Perhaps an enquiry would be in order.

Cheers then; respectfully:
Jack Emdall

kernow

Joe, just before the bold print, the WSM says, "...the inner ends of which are riveted over." I don't think there's any extra room. Bud
Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed between 15/10/2013 and 16/10/2013

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