Category Archives: Garage

Keeping my cars together

MG TF Update 10 – New disks and pads all round

: Fitting the front disk

: A pic of the front disk with caliper tied up behind

: Drilling out screws

: A closer look at the disk with wheel on

: Disk on show with wheel back on

: Rear disk in place with new pads on show

: Shiny new disk

So, this came as an advisory on the service. Things needed replacing so I decided to do the full lot and be done with it.

I bought Pagid (OEM to Merc etc) pads and disks from Euro Car Parts for around £172. I was also going to give it a go at fitting myself.

I followed a very handy tutorial written by CJJ off the MG Rover .org Forums.

Tutorial for changing front AP Disks and Pads – http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=197579

Tutorial for changing rear Disks and Pads – http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=199027

With a little help from my Dad, I managed to do the work in a weeekend (front one day, back the next)… luckily the weather held off.

I saved myself money on getting them fitted, and by doing so, learnt a little more about car mechanics. The back set I more or less did myself 🙂

Result – a better braking experience and no more unhealthy sounding noises making for a better ride all in all.

For all other related MG posts please click here: link

MG TF Update 9 – Windscreen Washer feeder joint cracked [FIXED]

Cracked elbow joint

Cracked elbow joint

So, as can be seen, the elbow joint had cracked in the cold.

I’d initially thought that the nozzle was blocked, so took a needle to it but on opening the bonnet soon came to realise the issue when washer fluid had coated everything.

Luckily, after taking a quick look at the .org Forum, I found I didn’t need this elbow joint anyway and having removed it, found there was no longer an issue.

One can add heated washer jets (as fitted to later TF’s; read here: http://www.grumpy-monkeh.co.uk/guides.php?selection=Fitting%20heated%20washer%20jets) but I found these to be too expensive.

It has been noted that fitting Citroen jets give a better washer fluid distribution. These aren’t too expensive: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-MG-MGTF-ZR-ZS-ZT-400-45-25-Xsara-Mist-Washer-Jets-/320591172815?clk_rvr_id=324930292787&afsrc=1

For now I shall see how long this ‘free’ mod will last.

For all other related MG posts please click here: link

MG TF Update 8 – HGF at 56,000 miles!

: Gasket, with oil and coolant residue

: Head cleaned

: Head off

So as is common with TF’s prior to 2007 – mine was prone to Head Gasket Failure. First signs of warning were coolant loss, but no apparent leaking. This occured a few times but I’d been keeping an eye on the oil and it wasn’t frothy/milky/emulsified as is common when this occurs.

Luckily I know a mechanic who was able to fix this for me for a better-than-garage price…

For all other related MG posts please click here: link