Thread: 51 MG restoration.

Well, this particular seller won’t ship to Canada, grrrr.
Either need a UK chum to help, or need to find another seller. Guy hasn’t even confirmed it’ll fit. Just replied about the shipping.
Still hopeful I can save what I got as it ain’t broke,,, yet..it just won’t work yet either..

What is the rack and pinion out of, Mike?

A mix and match may be possible with other old English stuff.
They come apart.....

Rack is OEM 51 TD Tom. And no play in the knuckle. Car does only have 85k total miles on her.
I’m looking at options as really all I need is a 9/16 16 shaft with the right knuckle joint, length is irrelevant as you said. Mix and match.
Seems they did change rack designs in 52 or 3 so I’ll have to check close on the threads. That’s how you can tell, or so I read.

I sure hope you can solve this issue Mike! You are so close!

You beat me to it, Tom. There has to be another vehicle that uses that tierod. Even if it's a little long or even a little short it can be made to work. Mike, I had no idea you were actually working with a real Rack-n-pinion. I had no clue they were used that long ago. Learn something new today fo-show.
I did a lot of front-end work in my younger days for a couple exhaust/brake/front-end shops (including Midas). Cut my teeth in those places learning a lot about automotive. I still drove truck on my days off but wrench turning was employment that was on the books. SHHHHH....

So what knuckles are you using?

The TD was the first car to employ rack and pinion steering Jer! Was also the first to go independent front suspension as well, believe it or not.
And as far as knuckles Tom, they are original and I don’t know what thread they are yet. Going to take the rack in to work tomorrow and use the bench vice to hold things true while I pop the locking tab and take that side off. Have a Facebook TD friend checking, he may have an extra inner rack arm still.
Fingers crossed.

Spent the weekend fixing up a piece I overlooked. It’s the side screen storage box that goes at the back of the car to hold the windows when not installed.
Never even knew it was there till I tore her down as it wasn’t a noticeable feature. Box itself was filled with felt bits and junk. All rusted along the bottom. So save what I can and cut out the rest.



Lots of extra to weld to, then trim it all pretty later.

I was just wondering if the (Steering) knuckles or steering arms are from something else. Hence the need to shorten inner tie rods?

Nope but the originals need to be shortened to work with the mgb disks and steering arms.
That’s why I’m forced to do this, cause of the disk brake upgrade.