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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - A popping sound at the rear

Can anyone suggest a reason for a kind of popping sound coming from the passenger side rear wheel in warm weather or when the car has been driven a long distance, the popping happens when I change up the gears and accelerate or change down the gears and decelerate, also grease is deposited on the inside of the wheel rim & spokes?
My car is a Mk3 Gan 4 midget.

John
J Bond

Hub seal gone, thus diff starved of oil?
Oggers

I was thinking very worn splines slipping under load but then I expect that would be accompanied by a knock on lighter acceleration or braking. I had a spline fail on my first VW Passat resulting in sudden loss of drive, apparently not an uncommon fault on higher mileage cars.

Should be an easy thing to investigate by removing the wheel then maybe brake drum and possibly halfshaft.
David Billington

Blocked differential breather pipe ?
C MADGE

I'd say worn splines on wheel, halfshaft or both.
I had the same symptoms. The problem was eased when I bought a pair of S/H halfshafts which had new hubs fitted. I still get the occasional click because the wheels are a bit worn, but the new hubs have really made a difference.
b higginson

Thanks for your contribution.

When you experienced this problem did you notice any grease deposits on the rear wheel rims, especially in summer when temp is 20C plus?

I have wires on my car so the grease not only sticks to the rims but to the spokes as well.

I will have a closer look at the problem at weekend to access the cause based on your comments.

If its worn rear wheel splines causing the popping sound then its going to be expensive.,.
J Bond

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2019 and 16/05/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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