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 MGB Technical - Hub Bearing Cap Gasket

My rear R brakes are soaked with either rear axle fluid or brake fluid. The almost new brake cylinder does not appear to be leaking. I also noted there was no gasket between the hub bearing cap (moss #90)and the hub. I'm replacing the oil seal(#89)...is it recommended to make a "paper" gasket for it too. I assume the only thing holding the oil in the axle is the oil seal in the hub bearing cap...correct?
Joe Walck

"I assume the only thing holding the oil in the axle is the oil seal in the hub bearing cap...correct?"

I have seen the question of paper gaskets raised before - and its not uncommon to use a sealing compound between the axle and the brake backplate but its only the rubber seal keeps the axle lubricant out of the drum. -- and small leaks are not uncommon.

HTH
R Walker

The surface the seal rides on is equally as important as the seal itself. Over time these become scored and can quickly destroy a new seal, putting you back to square one. Moss part #91 (the hollow cone type thing) might be a worthwhile purchase too, if yours looks poor (scored, rusty, pitted, etc). These just slide onto the shaft and are easy to change while you're doing the rest.
RoadWarrior

The Salisbury/tube axle doesn't need a cap gasket as the bearing outer is an interference fit in the axle casing *and* the cap (for a shorter distance) and that is all that is needed as a seal. The oil seal collar RoadWarrior mentions is valid, it may look like it is part of the half-shaft, and may need a knife-blade between the back of the collar and the spacer, but will come off. Make sure you replace the spacer, the right way round i.e. with the concave side facing the shoulder on the half-shaft, or it will upset the positioning of the hub and you may not be able to clamp the hub tight with the nut - 150ft lb then tighten to the next split-pin hole (there are two), 1 5/16"AF (33mm may fit). Put the wheel on the hub and the tyre on the ground taking some of the weight, Rostyle centre-cap removed or wire-wheel without the spinner, to undo/replace the half-shaft nut. If you have wire-wheels a 3/4" drive and/or impact socket may not fit in the hub which is about 1.86" ID, my off-the-shelf 1/2" drive standard socket is 1.73" OD so fits easily.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 08/10/2011 and 09/10/2011

MG MGB Technical index

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