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MG TD TF 1500 - Windscreen support stanchions

The support stanchions on my TF are bent backwards, causing the side screens to overlap the sides of the windscreen. I need to either straighten them or replace. Therefore two points for your advice please:-

1. Can these stanchions be straightened (the bend is in the vicinity of the lower of the 3 screw holes above the scuttle bracket), and if so how? I believe they might be cast Admiralty brass.

2. Does anyone have a spare set available for purchase (any condition so long as they are straight). Both TF and TD supports will fit.

Many thanks. Neil.
N D Wallace

Hello Neil Would this be what you are looking for. John

J .R.C Cavey

Hello Neil Or is it these what you are looking for. John

J .R.C Cavey

John. Yes, it is the items in your second image - the bits that bolt to the windscreen. Are they for sale? If yes, would appreciate further details and your estimate of postage cost. Many thanks. Neil.
N D Wallace

Hi guys -

Since you are talking about support stanchions, may butt in and ask a stupid "newbee" question? Couldn't find the answer in the owner's manual, in the shop manual, or in a search of this site.

I've owned my '55 TF for a few weeks. I loosened the wingnuts and tried to lower the windshield, but it will only move about an inch at the top. Then I loosened the cap nut at the pivot point and then I loosened the flat hex nut under the cap nut. Still only moves about an inch.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

LM Cook

There are cone shaped washers under the wing nuts, These fit in the cone shaped cutout at each end of the slot to lock the windscreen in the UP or Down position. You have to loosen the wing nut enough so the cone will not interfere with the slot. pulling the cones clear (out) helps.
Don Harmer

If the screen has not been down for some time then the cones will have stuck in place.You tend to get a bit of oxide build up gumming them. Warm water and gentle rocking after undoing wing nut approx 3/16".
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Hello Neil Yes they are for sale. Do you have an E-mail address so we can further our mutual interest. Thank -you John My e-mail address is attached
J .R.C Cavey

Once again, sorry for hijacking the tread. I'll try not to interupt again.

I had previously removed the wingnuts and cone washers. Squirted some oil between the support and windshield frame. And used anti-seize on the threaded studs.

Wanted to make sure that there wasn't some "secrete" about lowering the windshield that I didn't know.

I didn't use much force when I tried to move the windshield. I'll play with it some more. Either to work it free or to determine if there is a problem or a bind between the support and the windsheild frame.

Thanks,

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Hello Neil In the interim , based on your purchase inquiry I'll put these two units aside for you . This is the only set I have remaining . If you are not interested , please advise . John
J .R.C Cavey

Lonnie: As long as there is space between the cones and the slot you are OK. The windshields bind when you try and move them. Its normal. Once you get a few inches its should go smoother.

Just make sure that the cones are always loose when moving it up and down.
Christopher Couper

Hi Neil,

Isn't it worth trying to straighten the brackets as a first resort? If it's successful you have won a gold watch, if they snap you will have to source replacements but nothinh is lost.

Jan T
J Targosz

Neil, the TD and TF atantions are NOT the same. The ones for a TF are angled back more than those on a TD.
The casting numbers for TF stantions are: X1749 and X1750.
For the TD - X1516 and X1517.
It is possible to straighten the stantion using a large vice or press with soft jaws. The brass used in the stantions is amazingly flexible.

Cheers, Hugh Pite

H.D. Pite

Lonnie;
I had exactly the same problem and I found the stanchions have been reversed (most likely by me).
If the left stanchion is on the right and the right stanchion is on the left (and they will fit that way) the windscreen will not come down and bind after just a bit.

Casting number 1513 should be on the left side,
.

Neil, I did straighten mine. I used a 6" vise with a soft jaw on one side and a spacer (round rod) at the point of the bend. Slowly and carefully increasing pressure.

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Neil, ignore my previous message. I was referring to the wrong pieces. The stantions you inquired about are indeed the same for a TD and a TF.
Cheers, Hugh
H.D. Pite

Hi Hugh
it is the side bracket (Moss 408-230) not the cowl bracket.
Moss carry the same part number but I trust nobody and checked measurements on my TF against a TD for Neil.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Hugh,

Thanks for your observations.

Several of us with TD's and TF's in the local club have directly compared the TD and TF stanchions and found them to be the same in every respect. The casting number on mine is different, being X1514, so maybe exported cars were also different. As far as I can see it is the scuttle hinge piece - which bolts to the body of the car - that is different between a TD and TF and this also determines the windscreen angle I think.

There are different views about how to straighten the stanchion, but the problem with mine is that it is bent in the vicinity of the screw hole just above the wider twin bolt part and is therefore already rather weak at that point. It might well straighten, or not, and if it breaks it can also be repaired by brazing, etc. But I would prefer to experiment with a spare, especially as I have to rely on others to do this work.

Regards, Neil.
N D Wallace

Neil, I also have pair from my TD. The chrome is good but the pivit stud is mucked up. Removing and replacing it will probably irreparably damage the chrome but they are for sale. Contact me at jchapin3 at aol dot com.

Jud

J K Chapin

Here's one of the pivot stud.

Jud

J K Chapin

Neil, here are the casting mumbers.

Jud

J K Chapin


Niel X1514 goes on the right side. The left side, as mentioned is X1513

Jim B.
JA Benjamin

Wallace,

Are you sure they are actually bent? If the part you say is bent the glass would likely be broken. My screen pivots are very worn and if I don't have the top up to hold the screen in place, the side curtains will interfere at the top.

You may want to check this before you go through the process of changing the uprights.

Alex
Alex Waugh

Hi everybody.

Thanks for all the helpful comments, much appreciated. I have now sourced a pair of stanchions from Canada and they are in the post. Both existing stanchions are, without question, bent, RHS more so than LHS and, indeed, the windscreen frame is slightly twisted but not enough to break the glass. Hopefully, the replacements will solve the problem, but if not I'll be in contact again.

Cheers, Guys.

Neil.
N D Wallace

This thread was discussed between 11/01/2014 and 16/01/2014

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