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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear axle oil query

Hi all,
As a newbie- a few quick queries if I may.
I was going to top up the oil in the rear axle of my Mk III midget - but none of my tools- sockets, real allen keys etc fit- what do you use to unscrew the oil " screws" - is there a washer / gasket behind the screw?
Is it a good idea to drop all the old oil first?, last question -I have some Halfords EP80W/90 GL-4 gearbox oil in hgarage - is this suitable?
thanks all,
cheers colin
colin frowen

The square drive is about 7/16". However, on nearly all I have encountered a 3/8" square drive on a ratchet handle would engage well and do the job (though without salt being used on the road external corrosion is unknown here so that might make a difference).
For those which won't undo this way I made a simple tool: grind a suitable size bolt head down to 7/16" square and weld a sutable bit of flat bar onto it as a handle.
Paul Walbran

Hi Colin, welcome aboard!!!

There is no washer/gasket on the fill/drain plugs.

There is a multi ended wrench that will fit (similar to the pic in the link) but I can't think of the proper name of it.

http://www.bikepartsplace.com/discount/park-mt-1c-multi-tool-9-functions/

I would see if you can get the fill plug out first because it will be sods law that the drain plug comes out nice and easy and the fill plug will be seized solid and you won't be able to use the car then!!!

The oil you have will be fine I think its what I used in mine.

Good luck

Mark
Mark Whitmore

You can get a sump plug spanner like this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRAPER-DRAIN-PLUG-SUMP-SPANNER-CAR-TOOL-KIT-/390418528529

or you may find that you can get away with a socket wrench, without a socket.

The plugs are tapered, so no washer or gasket, but it also means that they are normally very tight.

It's always a good idea to see if you can remove the filler plug BEFORE removing the drain plug, for obvious reasons.

Recommended oil is EP90 hypoy or hypoid.
Dave O'Neill2

Colin
The "screws" as you call them need a square drive tool.
If you can improvise and get them out - perhaps a piece of suitable square steel held in "Mole" grips you will find the threads are BSP - a british standard pipe thread. You can replace the "screws" with plumbing fitting either with a raised square drive or a hexagon in either steel or brass.
A bit of plumbers tape around the drain plug will ensure no annoying drips.
The oil you have is what is required
Alan
A Anstead

Colin,
the fill and drain plugs should be either 3/8" square female socket or a 3/8" hex female socket - or one of each

they don't have a washer

to get them out clean all around them and apply a good releasing/penertrating fluid and leave to soak as long as possible, then very slightly tighten to break crud seal before undoing

personally I found the Draper multitool Dave put up to be almost useless especially on a worn and spladed square socket - you can buy individual size drain plug tools, you'll need a tool to keep for the fill plug at least for servicing

as Paul has put a 3/8" extention bar from a socket set should fit the 3/8" square socket plug

if you're going to completely drain the rear axle which I think is a great idea then check you have enough EP80/90, the axle takes 0.9l (from totally dry)

if you haven't got enough personally I'd suggest you buy a litre of this stuff and use it instead - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150800174047?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

also I get the old oil in the axle hot before draining so that as much of the old oil as possible comes out to be replaced by as much of the new oil as possible

my plugs only go in the axle a few threads

if you have one plug in better condition than the other use it as the fill plug as you'll be using the fill plug when servicing

don't start the job until you have the right tools, plugs and amount of oil
Nigel Atkins

blimey I was a bit harsh on the Draper multitool there, to be fair if the drain plug socket had been in better condition it wouldn't have been that bad

but I still didn't like it, not a nice tool to use which is probably why I got rid of the last one I had

if you lived nearer tou could have the one I have now to keep for yourself

I bought and use one of these, the short handle also means you're less likely to over tighten too much

even if you're not interested in buying if you enlarge the photos off the links you'll see the socket types

3/8" square - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Franklin-3-8-Inch-Square-Male-Drain-Plug-Key-307TB-/260926433803?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cc06d6a0b

3/8" hex - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Franklin-Tools-3-8-Inch-Male-Drain-Plug-Hex-Key-301TB-/250964500166?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a6ea65ec6

you can also use a 19mm spanner or socket over them for extra leverage for over tight plugs
Nigel Atkins

Hi All
Success!! - Thanks all for the excellent advice
cheers colin
colin frowen

Hi colin,I bought a cheap 1/2 inch extension bar off ebay and ground it down to make a tapered key.It seems to work really well and it was really easy to do with an angle grinder
Mark
M Teal

This thread was discussed between 17/05/2012 and 19/05/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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