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MG MGB Technical - Axle bracket

Does anyone know if I can buy replacement rebound strap brackets (I think that's what they're called) for my rear axle.
I discovered that mine were not in good shape when I removed the axle as part of a restoration. I know you can buy the pin which holds the rebound strap, but it looks like I will need the whole bracket. Has anybody made one of these from scratch?

I also have some wear on the axle tube opposite the bracket. Any ideas on how to deal with that would be welcome.

Maybe I'm looking a a scrap axle.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Photos attached

D BARRON

I have attached another photo of the axle showing the wear.

D BARRON

The Roadster Factory has them,along with Moss,and Victoria British. needs to be welded on,Rich O
rich osterhout

Rich,

The only replacement part I can find is a repair kit for the Axle strap mounting. MGOC have the following part under Clutch/Prop/Axle - Axle Tube - Part No ARB101.

I had hoped to replace the flat plate and flanges welded to the axle as well.
D BARRON

I'd buy a second hand axle in better shape than that one. Yours looks like the casing has some serious issues with wear / corrosion that has reduces the thickness of the casing wall. There's not supposed to be a depression there at all.
dominic clancy


The axle is off a factory V8 and I've been told that second hand ones are as rare as hens teeth. A refurb is still going to be big bucks.

D Barron

The "depression" is the result of corrosion between the bump stop bracket and the casing. A point to note when you re-assemble. It does look pretty bad. However the casing is the same as a standard MGB, you can have all the V8 bits, CW&P (3.07 : 1)and input flange, re-installed into a better axle tube..
Allan Reeling

Also FWIW V8 conversion specialists supply the correct CW&P. The chap I use for my factory V8 parts keeps the old 4-cylinder items part-exchanged and I had one off him when refurbing a wire-wheel axle for my roadster. Rebound strap pins are available, but I've not heard of the whole bracket being so. Swapping the parts into a better casing seems the best route. I've still got the old steel wheel axle off my roadster, if you lived a bit closer ...
P Hunt

If the axle casing is the same for the 1.8 and 3.5 V8 MGB, then swopping over the internals is definately a possiblity. Is this a job your average amatuer could carry out?

I'll have a look around. One of the problems with being this far North is the lack of suppliers within driving distance. I occasionally get down to Mansfield and Reddich, and I always have a wee look on ebay and the MG forums before I travel to see if there's anything available in the area.
D Barron

Nope - setting up the crownwheel & pinion in the new casing is definitely a job for the specialist - apart from anything else the required shims are not available - specialists have stocks of used ones of varying thicknesses which they won't sell!
Chris at Octarine Services

If you come down to the Midlands contact Clive Wheatley,(Tele 01746 710810) he sometimes has re-built axles on the shelf, as well as the 3.07:1 CW&P
He also has a web site www.mgv8parts.com or e-mail; sales@mgv8parts.com
Allan Reeling

Hi,

In a DVD called "An MG is Born" they show how to repair that depression, by sand blasting to clean and filling with a metallic epoxy.

The DVD seems to have been a TV series of 8 episodes. Very informative and has saved me many headaches with the rear end. As it was a gift I can't tell you where to get it.

Herb
Herb Adler

Restoring a classic was one of the things on my bucket list and it was watching that DVD at a mate's house three years ago that gave me the kick to go do it. I now have a 1974 MGB GT V8 stripped to a bare shell, on a rotating spit in my garage, awaiting the final bits of welding, before heading to the paintshop in Spring.

I'm going to have a go at a repair to my own axle, and if that doesn't work out, then I'll just have to dip into the wife's handbag fund for a replacement.

Thanks for all your help.

Dave



D Barron

I recently bought a copy of An MG is Born from Amazon on the advice from some one on the forum. I paid about £6 for it. It is very good informative and entertaining DVD. It did have a piece in there about repairing the corrosion area you have on yours.
Trevor Harvey

Sorry Trev but that bodge wasn't a repair! Filling in the depression with plastic metal does nothing for the strength of the axle - only a proper welded patch using suitably thick metal will do that.
Chris at Octarine Services

Clive Wheatley was exactly the person I had in mind as a source of V8 CW&P. He also has access to a rebuilder, who did mine.
P Hunt

Does anyone know the wall thickness of the axle tube?

If the metal filler is only going to be a small percentage of the cross sectional area, then I might be tempted. What are the stresses on that area? Am I right in thinking that the only part which is dependant on that area is the bump stop pedestal?
D Barron

One very important stress in that area is produced under braking - the whole rotational force is taken through the brake backplate which is bolted to the axle tube.

A lesser force from acceleration also acts here, not to mention the whole weight of that corner of the car and shock loads from potholes and bumps in the road!

I believe the axle tube is approx 1/8 th inch thick and it is not unusual to find perforations of an inch or more in length.
Chris at Octarine Services

And you have to be very careful in welding, since the heat will cause the housing to be bent when you are done! One trick is to make dummy welds on the opposite side of the tube to equalize this.

FRM
FR Millmore

There are some repairs which might lend themslves to filler/plastic metal etc., but a part of the vehicle which is taking braking, acceleration and suspension loads is NOT one of them, don't entertain it!
Allan Reeling

Morning Gentlemen
Concerning the axle, may be you have already finished the project but to do the job properly is very simple but you do need a special tool to spread the axle casing to remove the diff, when this is done replace the pin on the planet gears and the bronze washers and then check the backlash with a DTI it should be the same as stamped on the crown wheel, it my say 8 or 9 thou.
We have spare axle casings both wire and steel in reasonable condition ready for blasting and powder coating. We can also rebuild your unit into another casing, ratio changes etc.
If you go to the MGC section then king pins or axles you will see Tims reply who you can contact for recommendation as we rebuilt lots of stuff for him.
If you get any more problems email me and i will talk you through the process it realy is not that difficult.

Hope this helps give me a call or email.
+44 (0)7810 856273
Racks Rebuilt, Axle Rebuild, Ratio Changes, Suspension Rebuilds

Regards Russell
Axle Solutions coming soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!
R N Hogg

This thread was discussed between 13/01/2010 and 07/02/2010

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