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MG MG Y Type - Awkward Jobs

Is there a more awkward routine job on a Y type than changing the oil in the rear axle on a YA?

The rear seat cushion has to come out, the access panel over the axle has to come off, needing the arm rest to be partly moved to get at the two screws. Once thats off, then getting a (big) hand with a socket spanner through the (small) hole to undo the filler. Then, a long stiff plastic tube with a tundish jammed into the end has to be fed into the hole. Then a measured quantity of oil has to be decanted several times into a smaller container to be poured into the tundish without spilling because the arm rest is in the way, all the time keeping the oil warm so the 140 grade oil flows freely. When all thats done, re-assemble in the reverse order to dismantling A relatively simple job that can take well over an hour. If it's difficult on a YA it must be even more so on a YT as the seat back partly obscures the access panel.
D P Jones

I find it easier to remove the seat back as well. It's only one nut to unscrew and the access is much easier,
John Y4895
J Foster

Warning! this is not for the purist! This modification was done to my Y Type by a previous owner. I don't think I would have done it as I don't like to molest a perfect body. Having said that, I do find it useful and am quite happy to live with it. It does make it a fair bit easier and it is out of sight.
If anyone decides to go with the idea I suggest that the cutout could be made even a little bit larger than mine to give even better access.

Terry Y2866

T J Ciantar

I jack the back of the car up and drop the back axle with the chassis on axle stands, you can then drain the old oil, measure the correct oil for axle capacity and pour into the axle from the top, makes it far easier than removal of seats and less hassle involved in my view.
R E Knight

So much easier with a hoist :)

Paul
Paul Barrow

Puts me in mind when not long after I purchased my YA in 1960 I tried one very cold November day to change the diff summer grade oil to winter grade, that was before multi grade oil was available. I had a devil of a job not only trying to fill the diff with frozen almost grease like oil but trying first to drain the old oil out. I'm not sure how many kettles of boiling water it took. Winters were very cold in those days
Happy days Bryan
B Mellem

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2017 and 15/07/2017

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