MG TD TF 1500 How to Wrap Brake Line Straps? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.info

MG TD TF 1500 - How to Wrap Brake Line Straps?

I know that this has been discussed previously. I have read two ways to bend straps that secure brake lines to the diff. Which was used by Abingdon? Were both methods used at Abingdon? Is one method better with new brake line straps from Moss? The Moss straps are thicker/stiffer that the original ones that were on my TF. TOP PHOTO In one method documented by Bud Krueger, the tail of the strap wraps completely around the line, around the rear axle, through the opening in the head of the strap, then folded to hold tightly. Also folded again to make a smooth end. BOTTOM PHOTO In another method shown by Keith Meyer, the head of the strap is bent under the line to hold it, then the tail is wrapped around the axle, around the line, and folded to hold tightly. The tail is folded again to make a smooth end as in Bud's photo. A brake line strap on my TF (the only one remaining that appears to be original) is bent like the bottom photo. Built Sept 1954. Thanks for your help, Lonnie TF7211

LM Cook

The brake line strap in this photo of unrestored TF9052 appears to be bent similar to the bottom photo in the post above. The head of the strap appears to be bent more tightly against the line, perhaps by a jig. Lonnie TF7211

LM Cook

Here is Keith's description of the process of bending the brake line strap as shown in the bottom photo of my original post. Lonnie TF7211

LM Cook

Lonnie TD/c-16920 original lines, bourden tube and wiring wrapped identically Bill Chasser TD-4834 TD/c-8151 TD/c-16920 TD-19408 TD-24060

W A Chasser

Here is an example of how TF9052 uses the same strap for the wiring harness on the back tube.

Christopher Couper

Thanks for your answers. I bent my brake line straps as discussed. Happy with results. It wasn't difficult to get the "neat" look of TF9052. > I folded the head of the strap over an old brake line that I removed from my car. > Then I put the folded strap and brake line in my woodworkers' vice with a tall piece of wood on the short side of the fold, and a shorter piece of wood that butted against the long side of the strap. > Trap the strap and brake line at the top of the short piece of wood and against the long piece of wood. > Tighten the vice. Lonnie TF7211

LM Cook

> Remove the strap and brake line from the vice. The strap will be pressed against the line and the back side will remain straight. > Open the fold to remove the brake line. Pre-bend the strap around a pipe. A 1-1/2" PVC pipe is good. > Secure the strap as Keith Meyer described in an earlier post. A block of wood and a hammer will create a bend in the tail similar to the bend in the head. > I created the bend in the woodworkers' vice before I discovered that the strap is too short to secure on the outer edge of the diff near the wheel. So, I opened it up which made a pocket for the brake line. Then bent the tail over the opening in the head. Other forum members have noted that the straps are short and must be secured this way. Lonnie TF7211

LM Cook

Here's the final result. Chassis and diff painted with 2K gloss urethane. Brake lines painted with Rustoleum Satin Black to give a different sheen. (Unpainted lines would give more pizzazz.) Fittings and 3-way left natural brass just because I wanted it that way. Straps painted with Rustoleum Metallic Matt Nickel - they had a white coating when arrived. I filed off sharp edges and painted. Three of the four straps are surprisingly tight. One of the outer straps has a tiny amount of play in it because I could not reach it easily. A lift or jack stands would have made the job easier. Don't know if it could be done with the tank board, and rear upper and lower wood rails in place. Thanks again for your help, Lonnie TF7211

LM Cook

This thread was discussed between 03/06/2019 and 06/06/2019

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