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MG TD TF 1500 - Remote Brake Servo Unit Installation.

When I bought my 54 TF, in the boxes of other stuff, was a Brake Servo Unit. Is there anywhere that would show me how and where these things might have been added into a standard system?
Many thanks.
Rod Murray
Rod Murray 54TF 3006

Never heard of a brake servo in a T type. The healeys added them in the later 3000's, first as an option, then standard on the BJ-8. It required a larger bore master cylinder and not sure if you can get one for a TF. Is it a girling or lockheed unit? Bob
R.AF. Robert Finucane

Have heard of using Austin Mini's servos in T cars (did mini's have servos????)
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Servos were available as an add on through the 60s & 70s, can't imagine why really - the brakes either work fine or there is something wrong with them. Maybe to satisfy people who were used to driving overboosted American cars. But, if you insist, mount it anywhere you can fit it. Assuming it is a standardish Girling or Lockheed unit, and probably also Bendix or ATE, The line from the MC goes in the side of the cylinder, and a line comes out the end of the cylinder and goes to the 3 or 4 way splitter block. Vacuum line to the inlet manifold.

FRM
FR Millmore

I seem to recall the VictoriaBritish used to have a remote servo setup available in their catalog. It was intended for MGBs, but I'll bet that it could be adapted to a TD. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Rod,

I have fitted a remote servo brake unit to my 53 TD. It is quite a common practice to fit these units on classic cars in the UK to improve the braking system and reduce stopping distances. My TD now stops as quick as most modern cars and I am glad I fitted the unit, it may one day stop me from rear ending another car when driving in our congested traffic system.

FR Millmore's description of the circuit is correct, I fitted the servo unit to a bracket fastened to the tubular part of the chassis directly behind the dashboard you can see the position on the photo I have attached.

Once the under dash shield is fitted it is totally invisible and the only tell tale is the rubber vacuum on the inlet manifold.

Hope this helps Chris


Chris Pick

Chris Pick Would you take some more pictures and write an explaination for the archives? In the future this may be a very desirable upgrade!! Although my brakes are working well I do notice a big difference between my daily driver and my MG's.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Jeffers

HI Bob,

Moss Europe supply a Lockheed servo for single circuit brake system. (cost £157)The servo unit is supplied with all parts (including bracket) and complete instructions for fitting.

I made my own brake pipes, the correct length for my installation. I modified and drilled new holes in the bracket to use 2 U bolts(exhaust clamps) to fasten the bracket to the chassis tube to mount the servo in the correct position,as instructed in the supplied instructions. I removed the inlet manifold and drilled and tapped it to fit the vacuum tube.

Below is the link to moss europe, I would have though moss USA would also supply the servo. I will have look to see if I have any more pictures .
http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=15767&SortOrder=1

regards Chris
Chris Pick

Bob, see http://www.victoriabritish.com/icatalog/mg/t.aspx?Page=134
It's been awhile since I thought about it, but I think this could be implemented. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Let me ask this. With the T-series being a single circuit system, in the event of failure, does this servo help or if the MC fails are you still crash and burn?
vping

yep, its still crash and burn if the MC fails or you have a brake pipe failure! you would need a duel circuit system to prevent that from happening.
Chris Pick

Had anyone put a dual circuit into a TD?
vping

Chris :

I'm about to install a lockheed remote servo in my '53 TD. Did you tap the intake manifold or the air cleaner pipe? Do you pull sufficient vacuum or should I consider an electric pump?

Thanks
Mdk Kowolenko

Hi Everyone,

I fitted a remote servo to my 51 TD over 10 years ago and have been very please with it. The servo is fitted on the L/H side of the car in the space above the rear axle. The manifold is tapped at the centre and piped with 1/2" copper pipe along the chassis but with vacuum hose at each end for flexability. I will post some pics in the next few days should anybody be interested.

Cheers,

David.
David Tinker

I had a servo on my TF when I got it. I found the brakes were quite harsh and tended to lock up the wheels if I wasn't careful as they felt as though they were grabbing. I'm currently restoring the car and have taken it off as most people seem to think the brakes are adequate without the servo. I think I'd rather press the pedal harder than have the wheels lock up. I've been told that if you fit a servo then you need to consider reducing the size of the master cylinder or you'll create too much pressure which is why I guess my wheels tend to lock up. We'll see when I get it running again.

My servo was located behind the passenger seat main cross member. The hose came off a hole drilled in the inlet manifold, along the drivers main rail and was threaded through the round cross member under the main member to get across to the other side of the car.

From the details on the servo I believe it's from an MGB.

If you need any more info let me know

Regards

AJ


A R Jones

Hi MDK,

I drilled and tapped the inlet manifold, and run 1/4 bore rubber pipe through the bulkhead to the servo which I fitted behind the dashboard as per my previous post.

I am very pleased with the brakes, I don't find them harsh like AJ, but yes you can lock them up if you hit the pedal hard enough. I actually find them very similar,(same pressure on the pedal required) as my 2009 Audi Q5 admittedly the Q5 has anti lock brakes. Personally I prefer to have the knowledge that I can stop the car as quick as a modern car.

Regards Chris
Chris Pick

The one thing here that's not being said is that a servo doesn't make the car stop any faster (shorter distance), it only allows one to apply less pedal pressure to achieve the same braking force.

I've found on my TF, that I was able to lock up all four wheels with very little problem. If you can do that with foot pressure, then (in my oppinion) there is little need for a servo.

The place a servo comes in handy is when you have a larger car with a LOT more weight and much stronger brakes. In that case, the pedal pressure required to stop the car is MUCH greater and thus having the servo DOES make a lot of sense.

That's just my two cents.

Alex
ABW Waugh

Thanks Chris. I'll follow your lead.

Mike
Mdk Kowolenko

I should have David Tinker's images, and more, on Ttalk within a couple of days. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Bud,
I'll look for that as I'm considering the Victoria British servo...happy with the stopping power of the TD but I've found due to some back issues it is uncomfortable to push hard on the brakes...less pressure on the brakes means less trouble with the back...which means driving the car more!!
Bob Doc
Bob Dougherty

See http://www.ttalk.info/TinkerServo.htm for a look at David Tinker's images - Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2010 and 22/12/2010

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.