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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - New Style Tie Rod Ends

When I had my tie rod ends off I noticed that they were difficult to swivel by hand. Of course Moss Motors suggested I replace them.
The new ones are slightly different in that they have no zerk and seem to be sealed with no option to remove the rubbers or to lubricate.
Also they are extremely difficult to swivel. Sales at Moss said they will loosen up over time.
Anyone have any experience with this new style?


Mort TD 1851

Possibly they are lifetime sealed as they are on modern cars? I would expect new to be a lot stiffer. I would check the length from the middle/center to the end of the threaded housing. Some in replacemets in the past are too long, which won't allow correct toe adjustment. Could be the angle, but they look a lot longer than your originals. George
George Butz

I ran into the problem that George B. mentioned i.e. ends being so long I ran out of threads before I was able to set toe in and have steering wheel properly centered.
Could a TD owner with proper length tie rod ends please measure the distance from the center of the grease fitting to the end of the rod.
Thanks,
George Metz
GF Metz

On mine from the center of the ftg to the end (not including the jam nut) it looks to be 2.75". Picture is at a slight angle.
Mike


Mike Hart (52 TD 16378)

Mort, I have the new style on the TF. They are actually too long and won't adjust properly. They don't even look right without the grease fitting. I'm going to replace them as soon as I can find ones that closely match the originals. I would imagine that Moss would know this by now and make some corrections with their manufacturer. Actually, I think they should replace them at no charge! It's very obvious that their longer and don't even look right, just put the new and the old together. Why didn't they pick up on this? PJ

Paul J

I guess Moss got the message. Both parts measure 2-13/16" center of joint to end of rod.
A quick look at the TRW site shows other tie rod ends that are sealed and I assume it is a lifetime seal. I have not found the details yet on their site.
I will try these out and save my old ones. Perhaps with a new boot and clip they will be serviceable.
Mort


Mort TD 1851

I have a set of tie rods that were apparently purchased when Little-T was someone elses project. They were made in Brittain but are a little different, the rubber covers have already disintegrated, so hopefully the Moss replacements will fit, but the originals had metal covers which these do not. My question is are the metal covers part of the old design and not needed with the new.
Here is a pic of the old originals.


Richard Taylor TD3983

Here is a picture of the not so new tie rod ends. Is a new rubber boot all they need?

Regards,
Rich


Richard Taylor TD3983

Richard,
Page 21 of the Moss catalog shows an early and late type of tie rod ends. Your older ones might be the early type since your car is pre 25976.
The not so new ones look like they have a groove for a boot and the picture on the package shows one. Moss part 262-220 & 262-210 might fit. Worth a try. You can always return them if they don't fit.
Mort
Mort TD 1851

A long time ago a Mercedes mechanic showed me that although the new style of tie rod ends etc are sealed units he drilled them and installed a Zerk simply because given time the grease will harden and congeal and this gives you a way of refreshing the grease!
Regards
Rod
Rod Murray 54TF 3006

Rod,
Doesn't the replenishment grease need to be able to push the old grease out? The sealed new ones don't seem to have that feature even with a zerk set in the top.
Mort
Mort TD 1851

I forgot to mention the new/old tie rods both have the same part number on them. Would this be correct or are they suppose to have a right and left?
Richard Taylor TD3983

Richard,
They are the same.
Mort
Mort TD 1851

Thanks Mort
Richard Taylor TD3983

Good day Chaps:

Regarding the current, ball socket assembly--outer(or tie-rod end) thread:

From replies on this subject, am I now given to understand that the assemblies, Part # ACA 6005 or 7H3682(supersession number), listed for TD3191 may be upgraded to the later styled assemblies, Part # 8G8408, by simply replacing the units ?

For some forgotten reason I was under the impression that the tie rods, Part # AAA 1337, were threaded differently and would have to be replaced in order to accommodate the newer socket assemblies ?

Kindly enlighten this "ungifted amateur" in this matter, thank you.

Respectfully:
Jack Emdall, TD3191, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada



kernow

Jack,
I am not familiar with the part numbers you mentioned. I did get a new set of tie rod ends from Moss and they fit the existing tie rods on my car. Both sides are right hand threads.
Mort
Mort TD 1851

The original ends on early TDs had pretty minimal sealing- just a rubber washer type thing. The later ones had more of a boot seal. The rod threads are the same for all, not sure about the nut. George
George Butz

Good day lads:

Thank you regarding clearing up the Ball socket (tie-rod end) assembly query, The originals are still on my car and I shall set about obtaining a set of the newer type seeing as how they are interchangeable.

Mort: The part numbers I wrote, were hand written supersession numbers (many of which appear throughout my copy) noted besides the printed part descriptions in my original: Series "TD" Service Parts List, June 1958, # AKD 834. This was acquired from a now defunct, but then, BMC/BL Service firm which was located in Victoria, B.C.

I thought I had sent a similarily worded reply earlier today but it has not shown up as part of this thread. I did, however, get a conformation that the first try had been received. So, once more-----

Cheers then; respectfully:
Jack Emdall, TD3191, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
kernow

Mort: The Benz mechanic showed me that the older grease that was congealing was lossing its' moisture content creating "available" space inside the sealed unit enabling you to "add" some more. The trick was NOT to pressurize the cavity by adding too much new grease. Stop when you get added resistance feedback.
He was more concerned to make sure that no swarf got into the sealing from the drilling... he took a tiny magnet and put it inside the drilled hole to make sure no particles were left.
Regards
Rod
Rod Murray 54TF 3006

Thank you Rod.
Mort TD 1851

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2011 and 28/06/2011

MG TD TF 1500 index

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