• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

MGB 73 MGB rear axle seal

Share this page

K

keith k

Freshman Member
Offline
Hi guys, I've got an issue with a rear axle seal that has me puzzled. Last fall it didn't leak at all, over the winter I had drained and refilled the diff, 1.8 pints of fluid, and on this springs first outing the left seal leaked. I replaced both sides, figuring if one went the other couldn't be too far behind. I was quite careful to tap it in as straight as possible, not letting one area get too far ahead of the rest. The left side is still leaking a little, and I'm 99.9% sure that the seal didn't get damaged in any way in the installation process. Did I just get a bad seal or is there another possibility? I know that overfilling the axle can cause excessive pressure, but I used the specified amount, 1.8 pints. Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts.
keith
 
I had this problem many years ago. I replaced mine and was like you, being very careful and still got leaks. I found that the originals were not seated all the way to the bottom of the housing they go in. Look at the wear area of you axles. The area where the seals have been in contact are shiny. On mine the new seals could be driven in passed that. So the last time I just tapped them in until they got to that area of the axel and there was no more leakage.
I was in your town last August and rode the train to Silverton and back. Nice country up there. My first trip to the Rockies.
Bob

[ 05-11-2004: Message edited by: mrbassman ]</p>
 
I'm always a day late. Just did seals yesterday and felt as though something was not just right.
Ordered from Moss today and could have ordered two more if Id known.
 
Thanks Bob, I'll take a close look and see if that is indeed the issue. If you ever get back out this way, especially if you are in your LBC, give me a little advance notice and I'll be happy to take you on some beautiful drives in the area (hopefully with a well sealed axle!). The 200 mile trip from Durango through Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Delores, Cortez and back to Durango is gorgeous, and in a British roadster it's an experience to treasure. Thanks again for the tip on the seal.
keith
 
OK, thanks for the invite Keith,
I didn't say this before because it has been so many years since I did mine but I think I also took some fine wet or dry sandpaper to that part of the axle maybe around 400 grit -- not sure surely no rougher than 220.
Bob
 
Can you tell if it's leaking from the seal or around the seal housing?

When I replaced mine one side leaked from the seal housing. I used some hi-tack and it took care of it.

I still use 3 drip pans, so I should be the last person giving advice about oil leaks.

Paul
 
drip pans, heck....I have a "drip board" covered with oil absorbing material stapled to 3 x 5 plywood.
 
I keep a continuous flow of cardboard going through here. Any one that can come up with a commercial use for oil soaked cardboard, let me know.
I forgot to mention that you should be sure to lubricate the part of the oil seal that touches the axcle to avoid wear due to the dry seal friction. A little dab of grease'l due you.
Bob
 
Back
Top