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MG TD TF 1500 - Temporary Clutch Rod

In case anyone is interested, I thought I should share a temporary clutch rod idea. It is intended to be an easy "quick-fix" for a broken lower clutch rod (TF/Late TD). It should get you home and allow participation in events before proper repairs can be made.

It is intended to slide on to the remains of a broken rod and hook into the barrel pin in the clutch idler fork (side of sump). It should be pulled back tightly to stretch the return spring and then allowed to return just a few mm before the two bolts are tightened to fix it in place. That few mm should result in some pedal free play. This job should only take a couple of minutes.

I used heavy walled tubing, 1/2" I.D and 3/4" O.D. The large I.D. is to allow it to slide around the curves in the original rod and over lumpy welding of previous repairs. Tubing with a larger I.D. would be necessary if old repair welding is extra lumpy. The long hook is to keep the bolts away from behind the exhaust pipe.

I am aware that the cause of clutch rod breakage is often an alignment issue which can be fixed with an adjustable top rod. This is only intended as a temporary fix.





Bob Schapel

Nice idea, but if your going to carry it in the car where it would be needed, why not just carry a new rod, or replace the old one?
PJ Jennings



I used a twisted up wire clothes hanger and three
hose clips as a get you home some time ago. It got me home.
IW Martin

Hi PJ,
I thought someone would ask that.
A new rod is much more difficult to fit. It requires getting right under the car and removing pedal box plate, split pin, clevis pin. Access is quite difficult under the car, out on the road. My device should be much easier and quicker to fit while lying alongside the TF. Late TD might even be do-able via the driver's side bonnet (especially here in Australia with RHD cars). I reckon it could even be fitted by feel, in the dark.

Nice work IW. Yes, wire is very handy to have on board! A few hose clips would be a good addition in case the device won't slide over big daggy welding repairs. Just a hook of 1/4" rod and hose clips would be another way of doing it.

Bob
Bob Schapel

Hey Bob,

Those look wonderful. Wish I had the skills to make them, and a back that would allow me to install it.

4 years ago, I bought a set of DeClan Burns clutch rods. These are absolutely wonderful. Highly recommended..

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Back in 2012 on the first day I owned my TD I took a neighbor for a ride. We were about a mile from home when I came up to a stop sign. Touched the clutch pedal and it dropped to the floor. I pulled over and we discovered that the barrel pin (turns out it was actually and nut and small bolt the PO used to replace the missing barrel pin) were missing. We walked back down the road and, miraculously, found (1) the bolt, (2) the nut and (3) a 7/16 inch nut driver to fit the nut. Stuck it in, tightened it up and drove home.

I have the Declan Burns setup now but I still carry that nut driver as my good luck charm.

Jud
J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 30/07/2025 and 31/07/2025

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