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MG TD TF 1500 - Gearbox Remote Spring & Ball

Checked the archive on this question & looked at the myriad posts on the gearbox remote but could find little info on these items. I did learn that a ball & spring bear onto the ball fixed to the bottom of the chrome gear shift lever & that they are held in place by a split pin. (Anglo illustration numbers 123 & 119). When I purchased my car in 1969 these items weren't fitted. I only just now discovered that they existed. I always found it difficult to select second & third. Third in particular on the way up & second on the way down. Within a day or two of driving the car way back when, I resorted to double de-clutching for all gear changes. The stick did chatter so I'm hoping that the addition of the missing ball & spring may help if not totally eliminate this issue. I've recently replaced all the bearings & needle rollers, layshaft & thrust washers as recommended by Schach & peened the balls on the 3/4 hub & dog assembly.

The really surprising thing is that both the syncros were completely unworn given the difficulty in engaging gears. They were in as new condition. So my questions are: What is the effect on chatter & gear selection with the missing rear ball & spring? What size is the ball & what is the tension of the spring? (I'd like to get these from the local hardware. Takes forever to get parts sent to OZ & with shipping the total cost is always hard to justify). Is it likely that the (presumed) wear due to the missing rear ball may mean that the remote should be overhauled? Is it also likely that the left & right pins (135 on the Anglo parts list) will need replacing? Are there components from later M.G.'s that can be used here? Comments from Declan would be especially appreciated. Cheers
Peter TD 58
P Hehir

Peter,
I believe the purpose of the ball and spring is to help in stopping the gear stick from rattling as well as to take out any possible slack in the gear shifting.
Although my ball and spring is functional the hole is full of crud no doubt having been there for over 60 years.
John...Sydney
John Walton

Peter,

The ball and spring you are concerned about,is only a small part
of the anti rattle rebuild re the remote control system on the TD/TF gearbox.

I guess you have already looked up my comments in the Archives under the heading Gear Selector Rattle( 2008) and Gear Lever Remote Washer (2010).

In addition to those previous comments,I would also now add that fitting a nitrile rubber gasket instead of the Factory thin paper gasket
to the remote control unit to the rear gearbox mount flange can also
assist in eliminating gear lever chatter.

Of course,we have all also known for some time that having the ignition too far advanced may also give rise to gear lever chatter.

If your gear lever does rattle,hope this helps to stop the gear lever 'chatting' back to you !!

Cheers.
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Peter

Bruce at Sportsparts has these components, I replaced mine because the springs had collapsed and had been packed with washers.

Graeme
G Evans

As I was over at the car this morning I had a poke about in the tube where the spring & ball should be. I found that the shank of a 1/4" drill bit fitted into the tube comfortably. 17/64" was too large & 15/64" was a little loose. When pressing the bit in I encountered a spring which when pushed on, firmed up the gear stick considerably. Clearly a PO had inserted a spring that was too short & didn't bother to replace it with one of the correct length. Either that or he used the correct spring but without the ball. The tension on the spring seemed fine so I plan to insert a short length of 1/4" rod to compress the spring somewhat, replace the missing split pin to hold it in position & then see how things go. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

The solution I proposed on the 19th worked a treat. The gear change is now much more positive. Cheers
Peter TD 5801.
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2016 and 12/05/2016

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