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MG MGB Technical - Leaking axel seal

I've replaced the axel seal on my 74B several times now and it seams like lessthan a year later it leaks enough to compromise the brake shoes again. I assume the diferential fluid is what I'm getting. TRUE? If so can this fluid thin out over time to the point it is so thin seals just won't work? Q2 Can the bearing although working ok develope so much play that fluid gets past the seal in spurts anyway? Q3 Can the axel wear in the area of the seal to the point it no longer seals? If anyone has had this recurring problem and solved it I'd appreciate a word on how you did it. Thanks Bob
Bob Ekstrand

Q1, Gear oil will not thin out enough to cause a leak. Have you determined the brake cylinder isn't leaking? Q2, I suppose it's possible but if a bearing is worn enough to cause damage to the seal it should make enough noise hear it a block away. Q3, The seal does not contact the axle, it rides on the oil seal collar Moss #266-030. It can wear enough to cause a seal to leak. You may be able to clean up the worn area with some emery cloth or drive the seal in a little past the existing wear area and get a good seal. Good luck, Clifton
Clifton Gordon

Do not know if they are available in MGB size, but if you can cross-referrence the bearing to a sealed bearing type, the oil seal should be redundant. Clifton is correct in that it is probably wear on the axle housing itself; the seal will not work on a worn surface. Repairing the axle housing is no fun.

Pete
Pete

Have you checked the breather on top of the axle? If this gets blocked the pressure builds in the axle when driving and forces diff oil past the seal. You can usually tell diff fluid from the smell; it stinks like crude oil. Also best check the diff is not overfilled.
Steve Postins

If you have a mg53 2004 Victoria British Ltd. catalog look this up.Page 141---------item #(28) oil seal collar. I had the same problem on my 80 "B" for a few years and finally figured out there was a small rough spot on the collar.Put in a new collar and have not had a problem since. Of course, I had to replace the seal and the brake shoes at the same time.
Dale
Dale & Barb Mast

Lucky you. It appears that a replaceable part will solve your problem (oil seal collar Moss # 266-030).

Those of us with banjo style axles must get the housing sleeved to fix the same problem.
I have this issue with my banjo axle and it drives me nuts. In my case, I did the backyard mechanic stuff and chiseled off the 8pt nut to replace bearings. Replacement was the reverse of removal and the burr from the chisel prevented me from getting the hub fully seated. The resulting (minor) wobble killed the running surface on the housing and I have not been able to get a seal to work (in 3 iterations) since.

Also, ensure the itty bitty weep hole beneath the hub in the backing plate is actually open so any minor goo can escape instead of building up and wetting the linings.

Mike!
mike!

Thanks all! I'll make it a point to replace the collar as well as the seal this time. The breather was fine and wheel cylinder almost new.
Bob Ekstrand

This thread was discussed between 28/06/2004 and 30/06/2004

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