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MG MGB Technical - Rear Wheel Play

1978 mgb roadster

At the last MOT the tester said there was some play when holding the OSR wheel at the rim and rocking it.
I didn't have the chance to feel it as I was sitting in the car with it on the ramps up in the air!
I have since checked it and there is some movement and it feels like a loose wheel. There probably is about 1 to 1.5mm of play but it is noticeable to feel but difficult to see. The wheel nuts were tight ( play goes when handbrake is on ).
I took off the brake drum and pulled the hub off; checked the cones/hub and regreased and refitted everything but the play isn't there. The wheel bearing spins and feels ok and when the hub was off there was no detectable movement at all on the half shaft. There is also no in and out play on the shaft.
I am assuming the play is coming from wear at the diff end of the shaft.
The tester never failed the car ( sympathetic to the older vehicles) but suggested I investigate.
There is no excessive noise from the axle apart from the bit of play/backlash present.
Do I ignore it and keep an eye on it; do I take off the rear cover and see if I can see where the play is coming from?
Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers, Adrian
AdrianS

The differential plays no part in keeping the wheel hub secure, so if there is play at the wheel it won't be due to the diff or half shaft. You mention wheel nuts so I assume you don't have wire wheels, because that would be the first suspect if you had them. If the wheel can be rocked it has to be play in the hub and bearing assembly.
Mike Howlett

X2. RAY
rjm RAY

X3.
Plus, if only 1.5mm at the dia. of the wheel, ignore it until its much worse (at least 3mm ;0)
MGmike
M McAndrew

On Salisbury axle, disc or wire wheels, It is most commonly movement between the shaft and hub, despite the big nut being tight. Red oxide on the splines is a dead giveaway, but not necessary. I've posted the description and cure a bunch of times = Archives

FRM
FR Millmore

I disagree with Mike, the large, splined dif gear does stabilise the half shaft. Wear between that gear and the dif housing will give movement at the wheel. I've had this and proved the point by removing the dif cover and getting someone to rock the wheel. If really worn the drum will catch the back plate on cornering. Since new gears are not available there's not a great deal to be done except change the axle or dif if it gets too bad..
Al
Allan Reeling

I think Allan has probably explained where the play is coming from.
It is perceptable when holding the tyre but not really visible. Cannot be really felt by just holding the brake drum.
Searching the archive someone else had a similar problem a few years back and had new outside wheel bearings fitted by an MGOC 5 star centre and that didn't cure the problem - the thread did not reveal the final outcome!

AdrianS

Probably says more about the sympathetic tester! Few moderns have play of this type -usually it is simple bearing play. What you describe afflicts other classics with this type of axle. Jags etc. (Pass & Advise!)
Michael Beswick

This thread was discussed between 06/07/2012 and 08/07/2012

MG MGB Technical index

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