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MG MGA - Pressing half shafts into new splined hubs

I am replacing the splined hubs (for wire wheels) on the rear axle with new splined hubs.

The mechanic who is going to press the half shafts out of the old splined hubs asked: “How far should the half shafts be pushed into the new splined hubs?”

What answer should I give to the mechanic?

Thanks in advance for your response.

Hansueli Ryser

The end needs to sit just under the shoulder that the sealing disc sits in. I sent you some photos of how to remove the disc, there you can see how far to press back in.

I guess he will have to press the shaft out of the old hub, so he just needs to do the new hub to the same level
dominic clancy

Prior to removing the old hubs, I measured the length from the inner end of the axle, to the flange of the splined hub where it mates with the inner hub. Then I pressed the axle into the new hub to the same dimension.

-Del
D Rawlins

Many thanks Dominic and Del. Your advice is very much appreciated.

Thank you Don and Jim. Your advice certainly makes sense.

Perhaps one other basic question about how to push the half shafts out of the splined hubs. Am I correct that the half shafts have to be pushed out of the splined hubs from the side were the welch plug was sitting, right? In other words the half shaft has to come out the inside of the splined hub. See attached picture

Hansueli Ryser

If you are reusing the shaft yes, so this should be enough for the workshop to see where the shaft has to be pressed to allow the welch plug to be installed.
dominic clancy

I think they can be pretty tight in the hub. I believe the press needs to be around 10 tonnes if not higher!
Did you resolve the half shaft length compared with the type of axle? I recall that was an issue a post or two back?
Graeme Williams

Thanks again guys.
@Dominic: Yes, I want to reuse the shafts. I just wanted to make sure that the mechanic pushes the shaft out of the splined hub from the side the welch plug is.
@Graeme: Yes, I've learned that the PO must have installed the longer half shafts. Thus, the shafts enter the differential spline by about one inch (2.5cm).
Hansueli Ryser

I did this about 3 months ago and the new hubs were pretty tight on the shafts. Just bear in mind that the shafts will not bend, they will just shatter if put under too much pressure, and they are more expensive than the hubs to replace. Suggest you get your mechanic to press it as long as it feels ok, but if it seems to jamb back off the pressure. As long as its pretty close to the right length it will be ok as there is some leeway at the pinion end.
Regards
Alan
AR Terry

Great advice Alan. I sure will tell the mechanic. Do you think it would help to heat the splined hubs in order to press the shafts out?
Hansueli Ryser

Hi Hansueli,
It cant hurt as they are scrap anyway. I cut mine off with an angle grinder as I had discovered just how tight they are with repeated blows from a bfh. One other piece of advice, when you put the core plug back in hub, put the hub back on the axle housing and drop that side of the car so that the dif oil drains towards it and leave it overnight to see if it leaks. That will save you some grief later on.
Regards
Alan
AR Terry

This thread was discussed between 02/06/2015 and 05/06/2015

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