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MG MGA - Differential Bearings

I am trying to rebuild my 1600 MKII differential. Unfortunately, one of the carrier bearings was broken. The bronze ball carrier in the bearing was in three pieces. I tried to pull the bearing off the carrier with a two finger gear puller. However, all that came off was the outer race, the broken ball carrier, and the balls. The inner race stayed firmly on ther carrier (see photo).

Because of the round shape and the close fit to the carrier there is no way I can get a puller on the inner race. The factory manual shows a special puller for removing these bearings.

Does anyone have a method to get these bearings off in one piece? Or, any ideas on how to get this inner race off? I have considered heat and cutting it off with a cut off wheel.


H Speer

I've never replaced this bearing before. You could try cutting it 95% thru using a die grinder and giving the last 5% a wack with a BF cold chisel & hammer. Or you could try the blue wrench (aka torch). My preference is the former.

Another alternative is to weld on some tabs or a plate to the inner race that a gear puller could work with.
Chuck Schaefer

I remember removing a similar half bearing (not MG) years ago just using a hammer and chisel to crack it and then it slips off easily. But wear goggles! Mike
m.j. moore

Bolt a u-bolt or small muffler clamp around it to give you something to grip with your puller.
Ed Bell

Thanks guys. I tried Ed Bell's idea to use a muffler clamp. Worked great, sort of. I was able to get the gear puller to take a firm grip and pull. But, with the biggest wrench I have and pulling with all my might, the damn thing would not budge.

Tomorrow out comes the die grinder!
H Speer

Put it in the freezer for the night, then use a propane torch on the race and give the puller another try.
Ed Bell

This thread was discussed between 23/06/2009 and 24/06/2009

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