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MG TD TF 1500 - Windscreen Removal 55 TF

Gentlemen,

Another newbie question...

While I'm waiting for my front brakes to loosen up I began another project and that was to remove the windscreen. I am unable to see how I can remove the glass frame as a single piece without loosening the scuttle to frame brackets. It just seems it ought to be a rather simple task, but I've exhausted my ideas. I have searched this site and others without a single hit. Is it such a simple task that I'm just missing it?

Thank again, Dan
DHN Nordstrom

Dan - There should be two screws on the side of each bracket. Additionally, there is a third screw that is vertical through the leg that extends horizontally. You can see it unless the wind screen is tilted forward. Cheers - Dave
D W DuBois

Dave,

Bracket? I assume you mean the windscreen to cowl/scuttle supports? If this is correct, then I will have to loosen these screws you refer to in order to remove the glass and frame. Correct?

Thanks, dan
DHN Nordstrom

Dan - I didn't get the correct names, but yes, you will need to remove at least one of them in order to get the windshield off. Cheers - Dave
D W DuBois

If you discover an easier way let me know. On the TF the nuts for the cowl post can only be accessed after removing the kick panels...which require the removal of the dash (and disconnecting the assosciated wiring cables)...which requires dropping the steering column...which requires disconnecting the steering rack coupling...which is a real bear with the side panel in place.

MG LaVerne

you could dismantle the frame via the corner brackets.
remove the bottom ones, slide out the screen and dismantle the top.
when you reassemble leave out the lower screw on one upright and you can then take out the screen at will.
I did this many years ago and life is much simpler.
Leave the one out on your side as you will remember never to pull on it
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Again...if there is an easier way...I'd love to hear it. TD owners need not respond.... It has a lot more access room to the post nuts than a TF.

MG LaVerne

By upright I mean side support not cowl bracket.
Cant use moss part numbers as they vary UK/USA.
Ray
Ray Lee

Here ya go,Dan!

My bet is you will have to remove the assembly from the scuttle to disassemble the side, upper and lower rails. I found I had to use brute strength to separate the rails to extract the glass. Photo is of upper bracket. When reassembling the frame (with glass) slow tweaking of the corner screws is required to align all rails. Lots of cussin' involved!

K Simonsen

And another pic. The "insulation" wouldn't separate to let the glass slide out.

Kev S TF6288

K Simonsen

Ditch the seal and set the glass in black silicone sealant. If you wax the frame first removal of the glass at a later stage is easy. I have young grandchildren who play will balls and have been there! The sealant gives a nice rigid fixing. As an aside a new laminated screen cost me £16 at a local glass merchants and that included cutting to size using my template

Jan T
J Targosz

For what it's worth. I looked at removing the lower corner brackets at one time to replace just the glass. I didn't see the glass moving enough towards the rear of the car with the screen folded flat to allow it to be removed. As Jan says, I had the glass cut locally ..not as cheap as his. Cost me about 60 dollars.

MG LaVerne

I got my glass out with much effort! Put a little heat on the metal with a heat gun and it started to move. Seems like patience is your biggest helper. I might consider using Jans idea using black silicone sealant. After curing, I the edges could be trimmed with a razor knife. We'll see. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Did we ever resolve the question re captive nuts for the windscreen brackets? I have trial fitted the windscreen to my primed body prior to its trip to the paint shop and also fitted the dash to test the instruments and switches. I would like to leave the dash in the car but this would require some modification to the bracket fixings.


Jan T
J Targosz

Dan,

Just a small point re removal of the kick panels. I've just got one of mine out on a complete assembled TF. Undo two small wood screws, remove bolt that also holds the dash to the body side, lever under the front of the panel with a thin knife so it comes away with (most) of the pins, remove all of the pins so as to save your hands. Then carefully lift a little from the bottom, (having moved back the carpet)and carefully bend the panel down and away from the side -5-10 mins. work

Original mill board was quite flexible and not damaged by this carefull removal - perhaps stiffer aftermarket board can cause problems?

Cheers,

John
J C Mitchell

Jan: If you leave the one machine screw out of the frame that is covered by the side brackets you can disassemble the windshield in place and don't have to remove the scuttle brackets.
Christopher Couper

Hi Chris,

I need to remove all the windscreen bracketary so the scuttle can be painted properly.
My problem is the heater which is fitted, horizontally, under the dash. If I release the two strips that support the heater and run from the dash to the tool box the heater will fall. It was a devil of a job to get the pipes fitted and the system is full of expensive antifreeze. Having said that I was looking at a TF displayed at the Birmingham Classic Car Show last weekend and the wiper spindle ferrules had not been fully pushed into the oval holes in the scuttle. I suspect the rubber ferrules all have to be fitted first and the spindles then pushed into these.This will mean loosening the rack.

Cheers

Jan T
J Targosz

You are correct about the spindles Jan. I left my heater in tact when I did the cowl and windscreen repair but I still had to take a lot apart. I decided to repaint the dash as well do to the chips I put in it trying to save some steps. I thought about leaving out the hidden machine screws but decided against that. Also gave some thought to welding the nuts in place for the scuttle bracket but had no good ideas about the upper screw/ spacer/ nut/ combo so I pitched that idea as well.

MG LaVerne

You can install the spindle rubbers with the spindles in place if you apply some liquid soap to the rubber and apply patience to work the lip section into the hole .

Critical component is to ensure the spindles are located concentric in the scuttle oval holes when you are assemble the windscreen wiper design masterpiece. Some judicial bending of brackets seems to come to mind to achieve this.

Dont be surprised to find the rubbers are beginning to perish only 12 months after you fit them. Quality of rubber components is rubbish.


G Evans

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2014 and 20/11/2014

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