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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Transmission Problem

Driving my TF, and went to release the clutch and heard a loud "THUNK" coming from the transmission tunnel. Now, I can feel the clutch work, and can put the car into gear...but after that, nothing happens! Sounds like something is trying to catch, but nothing does. Any ideas? Please write to jamesh@sintelligent.com
James Hawkins

Hi James,

Might be just a broken axle. You better hope so anyway.

Jack up one side of the car at the back wheel, put the car in gear with the engine running and let out the clutch. If the wheel that is off the groung is spinning try to stop it with your hands wearing gloves.

Now look to see whether the tailshaft is spinning.

If it is you have a broken axle, if not you have probably broken a gear in the gearbox.

Do this test first and get back to the forum.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

I agree-sounds like a broken axle half-shaft. They tend to break off at the outbourd splines. Does the speedometer register when you are in gear with the clutch let out? If so, the output shaft is turning and indicates a probable broken axle.
steve tobias

Sorry, I meant that they break at the inboard end-a pain to get out, but better then a broken tranny!
steve tobias

Yep, broken axle.

Put the car in 1st gear with engine off... can you push it?
Will

Okay...

Sorry for the delay..going to try and lift the car up and see what happens. I can put it in gear, and the car does move.

Ug. How tough is it to repair this issue? Do I need a welder to do it?

Thanks all!
James Hawkins

Oh...and yes, the car still rolls while the transmission is in gear. So...it's the axle, eh? Anyone know a good procedure for removal and replacement?
James Hawkins

James

Had an axle break the first run up the driveway. The group on this BBS helped me get mine up and running again. In my case the right axle broke at the inner spline. After jacking up the right side of the car and pulling the axle I was unable to remove the stub that was left in the carrier. I then jacked up the other side and removed that axle as well and using a long piece of rod (with a slightly spooned end) I was able to knock the axle stub out of the carrier. I located a spare axle and had the bearing pressed on and then it was a simple job of putting it all back together.

I was fortunate that no pieces ended up in the carrier housing so it was a simple replacement. In all it took about one hour and that included "spooning" the end of the rod.

Check the archive for information sent me, I think that it was in September of 2004.

Brian
Brian Smith

Brian,

Thanks for your input. I'll look for the thread. Can you let me know which wheel I should take off? I'm a neophyte when it comes to MG's, but a fast learner.
James Hawkins

So are you in Colorado or California ? If in Colorado, where bouts?

LaVerne
LaVerne

James

I should have mentioned earlier that when I jacked up the rear of the TD (putting it on jack stands) and slowly turned the wheels I could tell which one was broken by feel and sound. The left wheel had some resistance and I could hear/feel the gears but the right wheel spun with no resistance and no gear sounds. As the right wheel is the driving wheel it is probably this one if you were going forward.

As for the help, go to the archive and look for the phrase "one more setback" and you will see the various responses.

Brian
Brian Smith

James:- it don't matter which wheel to try, as I'm sure you'll be taking both rear ones off.

If you've broken one side, it makes great sense to remove the unbroken one too to check. Even if a visual look at the splines show no stressing, a microscopic crack test is highly recommended.
Will

How difficult is it to remove? And, where do you recommend I get a new part? Moss?

I wish there were detailed instructions somewhere before I take the wheels off my classic MG! :-)

James
James Hawkins

Hi James, maybe you should invest in a workshop manual.

Cheers,

Paul.
Paul van Gool

Yep, workshop manual is the next best investment - after buying the car. I got the manual even before I drove for the first time.

BMC's effort is great; wish Gregorys/Haynes would do a modern one. :-)

Will

Okay..dug out the copy of the original BMC handbook on the MG midget.

Now...should I try and locate the Axle Shaft Extractor to make sure I do the job right? Or is there another tool I can use?

Thanks!
James Hawkins

Remove the drum, shoes, brake line, parking brake cable, the four back plate to axle bolts. Use a hammer and a screwdriver and tap the outer bearing housing outward, then gently pry, moving side to side. Do this at a corner (next to a bolt hole). You can even use a sharp screwdriver or chisel to start out. These usually come out very easily. Search the archives as this has been covered before somewhere in detail. I personally think it is very important to remove the axle, disassemble, and totally flush and clean everything to remove metal fragments from the breakage unless an emergency roadside deal.
George Butz

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2005 and 25/05/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.