MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 Midget and Sprite Technical - Diff. nose seal

Yet another question to the knowledge center, I apollogise for not being able to make it shorter....:
Last winter, I gave the rear axles and differential a complete inspection and overhaul and replaced all seals and gaskets.
When I fitted the seal at the differential nose, I noticed that it was very easy to push in. During the cleaning, I also noticed that the old seal probably had been fitted together with some liquid gasket.
As said, I pressed the new seal so it was aligned with the differential nose and crossed my fingers that it would be oil tight.
During the past season, however, there was a few drips from the differential nose every time I had been out driving, not much, really.
I assumed it was between diff. housing and seal that oil siped out.
Yesterday I disassembled the shaft and placed it overnight on the workshop bench with the nose pointing down. Today, I noticed no oil spill whatsoever. Therefore, I am now in doubt if it is at all between the diff. housing and the seal, or whether it is in fact between the seal and the shaft, where the oil can work it's way through when the shaft rotates. On the picture you can see that the flange has, if not a groove, then a darker and more rough worn area and maybe that's where the oil is pouring out during rotation. If I press the new seal in and squeeze it 2mm down under the edge of the nose, the new seal lip can be placed aligned to the glossy and smooth surface of the flange and there is still 4mm between the seal and the bearing.
What do you think about that solution? And what do you think about liquid gasket in combination with the seal?
I hope you understand it.
Jan



Jan Kruber

How tight is the fit between the seal lip and the flange?

Are you sure there is no movement in the bearing, allowing the flange to wobble within the seal?
Dave O'Neill 2

IIRC when I was doing this job about 5 years ago, I became aware that if the seal is pushed to far into the diff body, when the boss of the input flange is pushed into place the lip of the seal can sit on the bevelled edge rather than on the main body of the component. THat could cause a leak. It needs to be kept flush.
Graeme Williams

Dave,
Good point, I will check movement. Hmmm, how tight, well, it was very easy pressed in with the fingers, it went to far in actually and I moved it out again very easy so it was flush with the diff. nose edge.
Graeme,
The new seal I fitted last winther was flush. I have measured that seal can be placed 2mm lower down from the edge of the diff. nose and still have the lip in contact with the boss approx. 2mm from the bevelled edge, and approx. 4mm free space towards the bearing.
Jan Kruber

The seal seems to be quite a loose fit if you can press it in and out with your fingers. I would put a smear of sealer round the outside of it. If the rotating shaft is grooved, a Speedi-Sleeve makes an effective repair. I used one on a leaking Lotus Elan diff.
http://www.skf.com/uk/products/seals/industrial-seals/power-transmission-seals/wear-sleeves/skf-speedi-sleeve/index.html
Mike Howlett

Dave,
I do not feel any movement in the bearing
Jan Kruber

As well as the glue/cement idea to locate the seal it should be possible to put a few 'pock' marks into the alloy seal seating with a punch to raise a few local high spots that will also tighten up the fit.
richard b

Mike, I bought a SKF 90150 Speedi Sleve today locally, half the price compared to our well known mg spares suppliers, thanks for the advice :-)
Jan Kruber

Sleve on!
Indeed a genious invention


Jan Kruber

Could you check the number on the Speedi Sleeve packaging? I did a search and couldn't find that number anywhere. Could it be a typo?
J Bubela

This thread was discussed between 07/01/2018 and 17/01/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.