Differential Help!

[MgKid1974]

Driving home to Vallejo from San Luis Obispo, car lurched forward while doing 70 on the 101. The smell of rubbing metal (i know the smell from when one of my crank bearings went out 2 years ago) fills the air, so I pull off at the next exit. The car drives sort of ok going forward with only a wierd sound coming from the differential, and it doesnt like reverse one bit. It goes "clunk, clunk". I get out and there is smoke coming from the rear. It was little wisps of white smoke possibly from high friction. I get towed home (141 miles) and as the car is backed off the flatbed, I can hear the "clunk" noise coming from the rear end of the car assuring my assumption that its the differential. I am pretty sure something went screwy with one of the gears back there...but thats probably as in depth that I can get. I plan on opening up the plug on the housing, and seeing if there is oil in there. Any help or broad diagnosis would be great just to steer me in the right direction. I hae a haynes manual which has a detailed description of the layout. By the way, its a '74 MGB.

Thanks guys,

Greg

 

[tony barnhill]

I'm betting thrust washer or pinion bearing

Try this (after you ascertain it has oil)....drive forward & see if the "clunking" noise stops as the car is up to speed (about 30mph)...then, at that speed, depress the clutch & see if the "clunk" comes back....that's one way to check pinion