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MG MGB Technical - clunking rear axle

evening all have a more of a annoying problem rather than urgent if you know want i mean,
anyway my 69 b has a clunking rear axle it doesn't wine or anything and i haven't long changed the oil.
when changing gear or if i back off the throttle it makes a clunking noise even the wife can hear it!
so any ideas what's wrong or how to fix it.
s truman

Is it the rear axle or a U joint?
Bruce Mills

most likely the shims behind the spider gears. It is easy to replace them.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

I reduced my clunk by tightening the U bolts.

I wonder if it's possible to replace the 'padding' though? Anyone?
I F

when you mean u joint i guess you mean something to do with the prop shaft? that seems all ok the props new and there's no play in the joint


how do i go about checking/renewing the shims behind the spider gears
s truman

Have a look at this excellent guide to "declonking" the rear end:
http://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/b_clunk/
Regards,
David
David Overington

Wire wheels?
Paul Hunt

yes i do have wire wheels and there is a bit of movement in them on the splines about half inch
s truman

half an inch!!! Surely not, the wheel would be sslipping on the splines and you wouldnt go anywhere! or have I missunderstood

I have a 65 and had clunking, changed rear splined hubs and it went away, worth checking the spline condition on hubs and wheels.

Regards

CHris
C Briggs

Half an inch at the tyre tread, perhaps? Still indicates significant wear and the usual cause of any clunking that occurs a fraction after you have started moving. Axle clonk occurs as soon as there is any rotation of the prop-shaft i.e. before you start moving.
Paul Hunt

Half an inch at the tyre tread yes sorry thats what i ment.
i get the clunk when changing gears more noicable going from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.
s truman

Is the movement really the wheel on the splines, or is it play in the diff?
Dave O'Neill 2

Just been looking at mine as it happens, got an advisory saying the hub was loose on the half-shaft at the last MOT. I don't see how they would know that unless they have someway of clamping the half-shaft, if you put it into gear and chock the other wheel there is an awful lot of mechanical parts between hub and crankshaft that are going to give little bits of play. With the brakes on it's true I can turn the wheel a little bit, but the drum turns with it, so it is the shoes moving on the backplate that I'm seeing. Nevertheless I did remove the split pin and loosen and retighten the hub nut. That it put half a split-pin hole past where it was, so I tightened it to the next. We'll see.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 22/09/2009 and 26/09/2009

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