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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - strange noise from rear end (the car's)

I noticed while at very slow speed, I can hear a "scraping" sound, it matches the revolutions of the drive train, coming from the rear. I jacked it up, nothing seems amiss, wheels spin fine no noise. I pumped in some more oil in the differential. I had kept it a tad on the low side (as advised) to help reduce leaks. Both rear hubs were rebuilt last year, new bearings. Not that one isn't going south already.
I don't know. Maybe it was always there and I'm just noticing it. Weird.
J Van Dyke

Check shoes/springs inside drum aren't contacting/rubbing.

Check tyre clearance with leaf-spring.

A
Anthony Cutler

I realize now I probably overfilled the pumpkin, as it was jacked up high in the rear. Probably should go back and pump some out again. What would a bent half shaft sound like? Seems like the wheels must be loaded to make this noise. I'll try to roll it around the driveway and see what's what.
J Van Dyke

>>> strange noise from rear end (the car's) <<<

Thanks for clarifying, although sometimes I wonder if old cars, like pets, come to resemble their owners in some ways. My wife thinks so, as the midget and I have both been known to backfire on occasion.

That said, I'd lean toward brake noise.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

I'm now thinking brakes as well. Sounds like a shoe making contact, one, the noise swells and recedes with each revolution. I'll roll it around the driveway, see if light brake pressure effects it. Easy enough to pull a wheel and drum and eyeball everything.
J Van Dyke

Don't forget the possibility of u-joints. Could be rust on the edges of the drums, too.
David "it's just drowning out the expensive noises for you" Lieb
David Lieb

I'm not sure what to look for in a bad u-joint. With a jack under the pumpkin, everything seemed to spin fine when turning the rear wheels by hand (no load on wheels at that point though obviously). Brakes were all redone last year so I doubt it's rust buildup but I'm planning on pulling the right rear (where the sound seems to come from) and taking the drum off and see what there is to see.
J Van Dyke

The usual test for U-joints is to reach underneath, rotate the propshaft manually, and see if you can see and/or feel any play at the joints.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

U-joint test: jack the car up, and please use jack stands! Grab the flange that mates to the transmission with one hand and grab the drive shaft with the other...twist back and forth. Do the same with the differential end of the shaft, one hand on flange, one hand on shaft and twist. If there is ANY play in the shaft, this indicates considerable wear. I always replace joints in pairs.
DL Rhine

This thread was discussed between 03/07/2009 and 05/07/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.