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MG MGB Technical - Thrust washers

The rear axle on my 69 GT is clunking and I'm suspecting the thrust washers. I checked the pinion and it has a fair amount of backlash but no in/out or up/down play so I think it will hang on for awhile.

My question is which thrust washers do I order? Moss shows about 3 sets for use in different parts of the diff.

Sorry for the dumb question

-Bill
Bill Mertz

You will want to replace the two fiber washers on the main gears (Moss part # 267-140) and two metal ones on the spider gears (Moss part # 267-130). The single front one is much more difficult to replace and unless you know what you're doing, it's best left to a skilled professional.

Don't forget to order a new rear plate gasket, and if your front seal is leaking then this is the time to replace it as well while the oil is all out. Same goes for axle seals, but these require the removal of the brake assemblies and backplates.

And by the way, that was NOT a dumb question!
Steve Simmons

Salisbury Rear Axle Anti-Clonk Cure
There is an html document with this text as it's heading on the MGOC web site. I have a copy saved here and have e-mailed it to you Bill. The method described works well, getting the pin out was a pig and if the car had not been on a lift at a freinds workshop impossible. Dave Pymme actaully got it out by clamping it with a big pair of sidecutters then hitting them with a hammer, he also put it back in which was very fiddly. I know some people do this job on axle stands but they are better fitters than I am.
Stan Best

Bill, call Gordon at the BHive.

He sells a kit with all the thrust washers and the gasket you need. Here's his web site:

http://bhive.tierranet.com/accessindx.htm

The kit's not listed on the site, but if you call him he'll know what you're talking about.
.

Er's a good article on replacing the washers, with lots of pictures.

http://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/b_clunk/
tom

Just so I feel good, I am posting this link in here as well. It is for a ford 8.8 rear, but it is almost identical to the MGB rear. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144780
So, now the entire rearend has documentation in this thread.
Richard Morris

Good info guys. I ordered up the parts from B Hive, and it looks like a job I can handle at home (knock on wood).
Next post will either be a success story or a horror story.
Cheers
-Bill
Bill Mertz

Just make sure you VERY CAREFULLY bang the pin back and forth to get it out. If you go too far, the pin will lock up the diff and I have no idea how to fix that, short of finding another one.

Paul K

Been there, done that. I had to loosen the main bearing caps and pull the diff back a bit. If I had pushed it any farther, I would have been force to remove the entire unit from the axle to get the pin out. That is not a DIY job unless you happen to have an axle spreader.
Steve Simmons

Actually it IS a DIY job as the vast majority of axles have lost any pinch on the diff assembly over the last 30 to 40 years and all you need to remove the unit is to undo the bearing caps and ease it out with a pry bar. The fact you were able to move the diff against the loosened caps proves that!
Chris at Octarine Services

I thought it wasn't a matter of "pinch", but one of clearance to get the unit past the axle housing. I defer to your expertise!
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2007 and 12/03/2007

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