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MG MGA - Tip for installing new u-joints

If you get the hardy-spicer brand of universal joints available from some major suppliers, the very first step you should take is to remove the circlips from the bag and throw them in the trash. They are much too thick and will cause the u-joints to be much too stiff. The new circlips measure .060". I replaced them with clips that were .042" thick and after reseating the bearing caps against them found that they worked properly and the yokes were able to flop back and forth with only gravity. I had installed the tight version back in the car before I thought better of it, and now I'm glad I took the trouble to replace them.

Mark
Mark J Michalak

There should be NO lateral motion in the U-joint. If it wiggles at all in any direction it will vibrate in use (spinning at thousands of revs per minute, same as the engine when in 4th gear). It is okay to be a little stiff immediately after assembly. As long as you can get the circlips seated in the grooves it is fine. I hate to say it, but you should pull the thicker circlips out of the trash and put them back in the propshaft.
Barney Gaylord

Barney, there was no lateral motion in the U joint after the thinner circlips were installed. They were more than a little tight with the thick circlips, just as tight as the rusty ones I was removing, in fact. I had tried rapping the yokes with a hammer to seat the caps all the way against the clips but there was no freeing it. I put the thinner clips in, gave it a few raps with a hammer, and the joint then moved freely without me having to force it over.
Mark J Michalak

The Hardy-Spicer clips should fit, and I agree with Barney. I have found that if clips do not fit, it is because there is dirt/rust on the outboard side of the grooves, which needs to be cleaned out. This is not easy, especially if the parts are rusty, since it is the side you can't see. I use a small offset screwdriver as a scraper, and sharpen the edge as such. The other reason correct clips don't fit is if some heavy handed work has hammered the yokes closed a bit, which can be a problem. I've fitted thinner clips or sanded down one or two to suit in that case, but .018x2 is a bit much. The fact that you got the thicker ones in in the first place indicates that you did not have that much interference.

FRM
FR Millmore

I had the same issue as Mark..... The circlips being just a Tad to thick on the H.S U joints ...
k klay

Thing to do is check the circlip fit before you install the joint. It is interesting that all the forcing used in removing and installing the caps is in the direction of closing up the yoke.
Art Pearse

Well, I will trust Barney and refit new thick clips. FR brings up a good point about the yoke possibly being closed a bit. I hadn't thought of that. The thick clips did fit, but I had to use the vice and 17mm socket to "pop" into final position.
Mark J Michalak

This thread was discussed between 28/03/2011 and 30/03/2011

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.