79 MG Midget rear end tragedy

[Randi]

My 1979 Midget's rear end went CLUNK and now it rolls freely but not under it's own steam. It has bolt on wheel & I have 2 parts cars varying years-but they have knock offs. I have another with bolt on wheels but it has been living in one spot so long I forgot I had it. I also believe the trouble is the right axle. Is this going to be a year cross only thing or......bolt up is bolt up- I know how stupid I sound, but before I start taking mine apart I figure I'd ask about the idiosyncrices now before my husband has a cow(he is not a British car person) Thank you to anyone that can help me!!!Randi /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[aeronca65t]

You have snapped an axle. This is pretty common in Spridgets, in fact I snapped one at a race last weekend.
Remove the appropriate rear wheel and brake drum. The axle can be slid out once the small phillips screw retaining it is removed. If the axle has snapped at the flange (the plate at the wheel side of the axle), the flange will come off and leave the axle inside the housing. You will have to try to grab the axle with a pliers or large needle-nose pliers and remove it. Then just install a new (or used) axle in its place. If the axle is broken at the inner side (where it fits into the differential), you'll have to remove the differential housing (which means the other axle must also be removed). A break at the flange is much easier to fix.
Wire wheel and steel wheel cars have different axles.
By the way, you may get more responses for a Spridget question at the "Spridgets" forum of BCF.

Here's a picture of the rear:

 

[Randi]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Randi P.S. can I use the car that has bolt on wheels even if it is not the same year? I would HATE to take the one in the junkyard away from it's tree for no good reason.......LOL

 

[aeronca65t]

can I use the car that has bolt on wheels even if it is not the same year?

Yes.
Newer ones (from 1275 cars and rubber bumper Midgets are slightly better in quality than the older axles (pre-67), but they are all the same size.

 

[Bruce74B]

Randi,

Consider yourself lucky...a simple problem and a Darth Vader answer! Ought to make your hubby happy too! I know I enjoyed the jokes the year I bought my wife a new "rear end" for Christmas LOL Except it was for the Surburban and it cost me $800 at a junkyard 100 miles away...which was about half of what my local "recycler" wanted for the one he had!

Are LBC's great to work on??? Good luck!

Bruce

 

[screenprinter]

Randi,

If you replace the axle it's probably worth going the extra yard or two and replacing the oil seal and the hub bearing along with the gasket between the axle flange and the hub - It's possible when the axle broke it buggered the seal , if that's the case you could wind up with greasey brake shoes down the road - no grabby - no stoppy -
You'll probably need some sort of a hub puller to replace the bearing and seal. You can rent an original Churchill puller from

www.britishtool.com

or you may be able to rig a cheap Gear puller available at most discount tool store to do the job. You'll also need a 1-3/4" socket to remove the big hub retaining nuts to be able to remove the hub.

If you decide to go this route I'd suggest doing both sides - You can then inspect the other axle for signs of fatigue and you'll know that the bearing and seals have been renewed and when.

It sounds intimidating, but it's really a simple procedure - The Brits built the cars so most repairs could be carried out by the owners.

 

[Randi]

Thank you!!!! Randi

 

[Randi]

I'm from Calif-living in La., and in my youth I worked in the Farmers Market in a open air market at a business called-ready(?) THE MAGIC NUT beyound that My name is Randi they made me prove I was a female when I turned 18 in 1968-not a draft dodger=rearend-what haven't I heard in thislife time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Randi]

That is terrific- I'm pretty fearless- and the hurricane went east!! I'm ging to see what shape my parts car is in first & then tackle this!!I've worked in a junkyard & we own one-but American Muscle is my husbands main interest though we have cars from the 30's to my little Midget 79. I still have my first car which I had to learn to do the adjustments on Maggie is a 1960 MGA twin cam.I paid $800.00 for in 1968!! I was British Bitten early!! NO CURE/don't want one either! Randi

 

[Bugeye58]

Randi, I just re-read this thread, and want to let you know that the size of the socket for the rear hub nut is 1 7/8", not 1 3/4". Buy an inexpensive one, like a "K" Tool or such, as the torque on the nut is only 50 ft lbs. And, the right side is a left hand thread. However, you don't have to pull the hub to change an axle.
Jeff

 

[Randi]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gifMy shaft was broken in the housing NOTHING SIMPLE about British Cars had to take the rearend down it was really "housed"beat the piece out, but have little faith in my parts car coming apart with any ease..........it's been sitting for years! Randi