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MG TD TF 1500 - MG TD/C Race Suspension

Hi All, I'm new to the members area. I have a 1952 MG TD/C. She has been layed up for a few years - and I have a desire to enter her in a few circuit races. However, I cannot find any information on suspension setup. My car is factory in every way - but I would like to lower the center of gravity (but with no permanent mods). I came across a picture (attached) of a race TD and its suspension is well over 2 inches lower than my one (g-d knows how). I know you can use a 1 inch lowering block for the rear - but what about the front? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
N Ross

480 lb coil spring for a MGB is supposed to lower the front of a TD an inch or so. Moss carries them. I think that is what Len Fanelli uses. TF rear springs will also lower the rear as well. Probably not allowed for vintage racing but another way to go up front is an adjustable coil over conversion set up offered for MGB. Moss carries one style but I’ve seen others as well.


Bill Chasser

TD-4834
TD/c-8151
TD/c-16920
TD-19408
TD-24060
W A Chasser

Thanks Bill :)
N Ross

Search the archives on the MG cars.org TD-TF board. Lots in there somewhere regarding springs, and especially adding a front sway bar. George
George Butz III

A front sway bar will make a tremendous difference in handling to the good.

Jim
James Neel

A front sway bar would be far superior to the Andrex dampers but cannot be used in conjunction with them The Andrex dampers occupy the area where the sway bar links would be attached to the lower control arms. Different sized MGB bars will offer different rates of yaw. I have found that the 5/8” bar is still a bit soft controlling aggressive cornering but works well for normal street use. I plan to try the next larger bar next Spring

Also some sanctioning bodies won’t allow sway bars as they weren’t part of the original equipment on TD/TFs or were otherwise unavailable during the time period. However, sway bars were original equipment on Y types and are a period correct item that was available over the counter and it can be argued that sway bars could be adapted.as the suspension systems were similar. You’ll need to plead your case to the sanctioning organization if they question it. I used all MGB components on my car. Another conversion is to use a bar adapted from an Austin Healey

Be very careful should you decide to try and stiffen the Andrex dampers. They are weak and it is quite easy to fracture the cover plates or strip the splines on the shafts if not properly adjusted. There are no new parts available as replacements and spares are difficult and costly to come by. Many have elected to gut the dampers and have them on their cars strictly as a “show item”. Although there are replacement wood discs to mate with the friction plates internally they are not made of the same material and they are thicker than the originals which will lead to problems with suitability. A friend of mine sent a set of Andrex to Apple Hydraulics many years ago as they claimed to rebuild them. Instead of using the correct material, unknown to the owner of the dampers, the vender used some sort of composite material. The dampers were ruined in a very short time and upon further inspection it was found that a “plastic” had been substituted between the friction plates. I believe Worldwide Products can rebuild them properly but it is not a service they list on their website. You would need to contact them directly.

There isn’t a great deal of information out there as how to set up Andrex dampers correctly. Cranking down on the adjustment bolt in an attempt to get better performance from the damper will result in failure of the unit. More is not better when it comes to there adjustability!

Bill Chasser
W A Chasser

All is not (yet) lost:

http://www.vintageandclassicshockabsorbers.co.uk/luvax/4578272644
Ian Bowers

I think you will find that Luvax shocks are quite different in operation from Andrex units.

Oil-filled Andrex shocks have a series of fixed and movable metal plates and wooden discs, where clamping force effects the friction effect.

Early Luvax shocks have a vane that rotates in a viscous liquid.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2019 and 15/10/2019

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