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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Prop-shaft to Gearbox re-fitting

Finally got the engine and gearbox back in the car and the last major mechanical job was to re-fit the prop-shaft. So I'm underneath the car and my charming assistant is in the car with a loop of wire through the gear lever aperture to guide the prop-shaft onto the splines. Got it all lined up but it wouldn't engage with the splines. Took it out and realised that in its travel up the prop-shaft tunnel, it had picked up dirt which was causing it to jam on the splines. Well, after a lot of head scratching , I came up with a satisfactory solution and here's a picture of it !
Malc


M J Chapman

Treat the cause not the symptom! You should only be inserting the shaft into a clean tunnel...
David Smith

Malc,

Last time I did the clutch I packed a bit of newspaper into the front u-joint to keep the splines inline with the prop shaft (and out of the oil in the tunnel). The paper doesn't last long with the first drive.

Hope that helps,

Lazza
LC

Lazza

You could be fined for littering, though!
Dave O'Neill 2

Best to be safe than sorry, always wear a condom when inserting your prop shaft.
C MADGE

Is that the extra large size?
J Bubela

Dave,

Never worried about any of that paper littering, or even making it's way out of fifty years of oil and grease in that tunnel ;-)

Malc,

Let us know when you get things sorted. Curious to hear what worked?

Regards,

Lazza
LC

It's perfectly possible to lie under the car, hold the prop shaft front yoke with one hand and to reach in from the rear of the tunnel with a straight arm, guiding the shaft into the gearbox. Put the gearbox into gear and the output shaft will stay still allowing you to mesh the splines more easily.
GuyW

Is it possible to attach the prop shaft as the engine and box are being installed i.e. with the output shaft beneath the gearlever cutout so you can grab the shaft from above?
Bill Bretherton

Lazza - As you know, condoms do provide very good protection, so I can confirm that this method worked a treat although I have to admit, sliding the condom off before insertion was a bit risky.

Malc
M J Chapman

yes Bill, just grab hold of the prop through the remote cut out and push it into the gearbox tail before you push the gear box all the way home.
S G Macfarlane

I have now done this procedure twice. It isn't so bad when the windshield/windscreen is out, makes it easy to hold the motor and trans while inserting the prop shaft.
Steven Conant

This thread was discussed between 19/08/2018 and 21/08/2018

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