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MG MGB Technical - Quick opinions needed

I'm running a vintage rally (tour) type event on September 6th-8th and i have a dilemma. My axle ('69 MGB GT wire wheel axle) has had a pretty loud clunk on first touch of the accelerator, and if you get off the gas hard. Its had it for some time now but its a pretty pronounced clank. There is no up and down, side to side or in and out play in the pinion. There is about 5 or 10 degrees of free play when rotating the pinion. I did the thrust washers and it still clanked. I found a shop that will do a full overhaul for a decent price. They said it will be close but they think they can make the deadline for my event.

So my question is do I go for it now, risking that they won't get it done in time for my favorite event of the year? Or do I take it on the rally and just baby it hoping that it will hold up, which might not be as fun but at least I'm there.

I should also note that I've had pinion bearings fail on me in MGB rearends before and it was no fun at all.

-Bill
Bill Mertz

I vote for....
do the ralley.

It will add a level of excitement.

Don
don g

Bill,

Are you sure that it is the differential and not the wire wheel splines that causes the clunking?

Charley
C R Huff

There is quite a difference in sound from centre-lock wheel click to axle clonk, the former obviously coming from the sides of the car. Axle clonk isn't an issue, just cosmetic, although I suppose in the fullness of time something may break. Centre-lock wheel clicking is more of an issu, potentially at the front, as the splines could shear and you would lose your brakes. This is likely to happen long before you strip the ones at the rear (age for age).

A tour-type event on tarmac roads is unlikely to cause you any problems, a balls-out competitive event on forest and mountain tracks would be a different thing.
Paul Hunt

Are you sure it is not the UJs in the driveshaft?
dominic clancy

Don,
I'm with you. The spirit of this event is to go for it and fix your issues as you go. That, and I talked to the guy who would actually be doing the work late yesterday and he said with the long weekend here in the states it would be a real squeeze.

And just to clarify, it is a wire wheel rear end with four bolt hubs (did it to fit the wide wheels). So I'm sure its not the wheels, and I literally just did the u-joints. Its definitely coming from the diff. After having one diff go out on me in the past I'm a little nervous, and I've seen another B seize a rear end on this same event in the past, but I'm just going to go for it.
While it is a "tour" type event (non-competitive) I have a habit of really ringing the thing out on some of the remote back roads, but it might be time to tone that down a bit.

On a side note, any California residents should think about checking it out next year. It's called the California Melee (not Milee) and is a nice, affordable antithesis to many of the posh/snobby classic car runs out there. We stay in cheap motels and drive our cars on a range of roads from nice and smooth to dirt. All sports and touring cars pre-1975 from concours level to complete beater are encouraged to apply.

Bill Mertz

Bill,

if it would be 'my' weekend, i would try the heaviest EP oil in the axle for this event. There are also aditives availble and your shop will be able to help you with this 'liquid tune up's' for the weekend.

Have the axle overhauled when you are back.

Enjoy & Safety Fast!

Ralph
Ralph

If you have a problem, drive round it. The abilty to do this seperates us on this BBS from the great motoring unwashed.
Stan Best

The rally pic I wanted to attach above was too big, but you get the idea :-)


Stan Best

Bill,
as stated above, i'd just be sure there's oil in the diff. these things are supposed to be pretty hearty. just have your AAA card ready!

let us know how you make out.

Don
don g

Hi Bill,
I had my differential go out on my 71 B on my way home from the HMSA MG Vintage race event at Laguna Seca in March. (I live in Southern California) it started making very loud noises on Highway 46 and there was nothing to do- I put in earplugs and drove home. You would think that after only 300,000+ miles it would still be OK.... just kidding. You are probably OK if it is not too loud but it is better to fix it before it fails if you are able. By the way, the event was great!
Matt
M. H. Dabney

Bill

Sunday, Aug. 30th is the annual picnic for the Northern California MG Club in Tilden Park, Berkeley. This is in your backyard. Why don't you bring your B and join us. There will be quite a few of us that might be able to help you with your problem.
Lee

Lee,
Thanks for the invitation. Unfortunately I'm in Seattle for wedding using wedding cars tonbridge this weekend, but if any of you have a spare wire wheel rear end kicking around that I can "borrow" I'll gladly take you up. Should be fantastic weather for a picnic though. I love Tilden and grizzly peak. Now I'm disappointed I can't make it.

I will certainly let you all know how I fair.


Here's a picture from a few years back when I took the Elan. As you can see it's a really hands on event.

-Bill


Bill Mertz

Bill,

Sorry you can't join us. As for the wire wheel, access www.mgoc.org and open the local club newsletter, The Octagon. There are some phone numbers of people who would probably have the wheel. There is even an add for four 14" MGB wheels. I have included my email if you want to contact me directly.

For anyone else close by, the picnic is Saturday (not Sunday) at Tilden Park in Berkeley. You can't miss us - just look for a whole bunch of MG's.
Lee

This thread was discussed between 27/08/2008 and 29/08/2008

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