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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Prop shaft removal

Hi,
I'm in the process of removing the propshaft on my 76 midget,(1500 rubber bumper model) I've released it at the rear, but not sure if it will now just ease out or if the flange near the gearbox needs undoing (hope not, it's really difficult to get to the nuts!!) I've marked the casings so I can line it up correctly on refitting, so where do i go from here?
Thanks in advance

Grahame
G Rawson

Grahame, The front flange on the prop shaft is bolted on as well, 4 bolts, same as at the back. You can access these through the square cutaway under the car, directly under the gearstick. I found it easier to remove the trim and gear gaiter to get some light in there so I could see what I was doing.
D Tetley

Thanks, I thought so, but I'm having real difficulty getting a socket or ring on them, daft question I suppose, but there isn't a special tool for this is there?
G Rawson

I took two ring spanners, open ended and some of the angled ring spanners under the car, I may have even used a socket at one side, and just used what ever would work for me. I can’t remember exactly.

It is extremely dirty and awkward job though, you have to be in the mood just to lay under the car only moving the bolts a flat at a time! I could just manage to get both my hands in the cutaway/hole but its very limited.

Get an assistant to turn the rear wheel to get your bolt in the right place to undo.


D Tetley

I took the gear lever out and attacked them from the top with 2 spanners - worked for me!
l snowdon

Thanks, the car's stripped down so I'll be able to try both ways, looks like an evening of swearing and skinned knuckles (again!!)LOL
G Rawson

I haven't tried propshaft removal on a 1500, but...
From the sound of it the newish ratcheting closed end wrenches (ring spanners) may be just the ticket.
I don't use mine for initially breaking well tightened nuts, but once broken free this tool is great.
HTH, Phil
Phil

i have cut the hole bigger in the bottomplate under the prop/gearbox towards the crosmember, this makes it very easy accesable.
I was cutting anyway because of the 5speed box and it seemed a good idea at the moment and never regretted it.
its even possible for me now to hang in the engine-gearbox-propshaft as one unit at once while being alone.

At the moment no picture available.

Arie de Best

I've done this myself, and I don't recall it being particularly difficult. The hardest part was standing up again when I was finished. Gotta love middle age.

And yes, you can also access them from above.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Thanks guys, I've got it off, knuckles and shoulders notwithstanding!! Gryf, believe u me it was bloody difficult, and yes standing up again was almost as hard as getting the nuts off!!
G Rawson

One very useful thing to remember when undoing/doing up propshaft universals: access to the bolts/nuts changes with the angle the universal is at. This can be put to good use by (when removing) undoing the rear universal first while the car's body is supported on stands and the axle is at full drop, as the access to the lower bolts is opened up in this position.

Once the rear is released, raise the rear of the propshaft as far as possible and put a block between in and the bottom of the tunnel to keep it there. This opens up access to the lower bolts of the front universal, whereas if you leave the propshaft still engaged with the diff flange the front universal yoke-eyes get in the way of getting a spanner in.
Paul Walbran

Somehow, I don't think it will improve his spelling...
David "sorry, Prop, I could no longer resist!" Lieb
David Lieb

Oh its so easy:-)

"One very useful thing to remember when undoing/doing up prop"

but I dont need to mention this so I wont:-)
Bas Timmermans

This thread was discussed on 29/05/2009

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