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MG TD TF 1500 - Rear End Bearings

Split the case for inspection, Stock 4.875 ring and pinion look like brand new. Axels look ok but I believe the drivers side was replaced at one time due to the black crud like paint on the shaft and the fact that all the bearings look original except the outside bearing on that side. Planing on replaceing the thrust washers on the spider cage and all bearings and and seals (pinion seal leaking). Any thing special about replacing these or is this just a straight foward put the new pieces in and everything back in the order it came out? Existing shims right back in without checking any measurements? No 4.55 or 4.3 suggestions as I think I will go for the 5 speed when I get to that point.
Thanks,

LaVerne
LED DOWNEY

Really carefully check the inside ends of the axles for twisting and/or have them magnafluxed as they often break. You can probably change the carrier bearings without a problem. Leave the pinion bearings alone as they are matched with the spacer. Do you know if the axle was quiet before? If so, leave the shim cups, etc. alone.
George Butz

I agree with George. If you must replace the pinion bearings you need to find a place in the case from where you can reference the pinion depth with the old bearings. Slight variations in the bearing must be compensated for with the pinion shim. You might also mess up the pinion bearing preload, which is adjusted by shimming or grinding the pinion bearing spacer. If you must change the diff bearings, you must check the backlash. The only way to do this is to hold the pinion still and reach into the case (minus the halfshaft) and rock the differential spider back and forth, measuring through the oil fill hole with a dial gauge. Carl Cederstrand, describes, in his ring and pinion interchange book, replacing a ring gear bolt with a small length of threaded rod, positioned 90 degrees opposed to the oil fill hole and reading the backlash with a long rod connected to the dial gauge.
If you have access to factory tools, you can accomplish this in a more direct and simpler fashion. If you do not have them, and you are rebuilding, you might as well consider changing the ratio-its almost the same amount of work!!
Steven Tobias

Thanks guys,
I have no idea how noisey it was as this a trailer it home, I always wanted one, undriveable, you paid how much for this, what have I got myself into project.
See no evidence of any problems except I thought it would be a good idea to change out at least the thrust washers in the spiders as I had done in my B to remove the clunk. Axels look ok but might might magniflux them while they are out. When I was younger and I thought my 63 Sprite was a hot rod I twisted off 2 trying to spin the tires( stupid me). Also had it stolen from school once and found it about 6 miles from school in the middle of a gravel road, looked ok but no go-- broken axel. Always the drivers side. was always amazed after driving the spline out of the rear end how it could be that twisted and the cog still straight. Don't plan on doing any doughnuts with the TF so I think it will be OK. I think I'll just change out the seals and thrust washers, leave the bearings for a later (hopefully never) time. Any idea what the pupose ot the small bolts at the outside end ot the housing are for?
I got all excited yesterday when I got invited to look at at a personel museum collection of midgets (about 20 I am told). Turns out that they were talking about sprint cars from the 30's and up. I will still be going next week and plan to take the camera. If any one wants to see the pics let me know.
Thanks,
LaVerne
LED DOWNEY

Lee,
This may be a good time to replace old half-shafts with newer ones in EN24T, 60-ton tensile steel for £25 (each). These are available from Mad Metrics (Roger Furneaux - Roger.46TC@virgin.net). He also makes the racer version of the same shaft with tapered fittings at £75 each, but this just may be overkill for the average Sunday T-er.

BTW, when I changed my 4.875 for the 4.33, the old 4.875 set looked like they'd never been used, even after 150,000 miles!

I wish I could afford a Skyhook 5-speed. Its undoubtedly a better way to go, but there are a few out there who have conbined the 5-speed with 4.33 and in one case reported last year here on the BB, a 5-speed with a 3.9.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

This thread was discussed on 24/11/2004

MG TD TF 1500 index

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