MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Rumbling Sound

Having just got my TD on the road I notice a rumbling noise coming from the back axle area.
The rear axle was bought years ago as 'rebuilt' but what that means is anybody's guess of course.
If I jack the rear end up and turn a rear wheel in turn the noise is the same both sides?
CJ Harvey

CJ,

If you turn one wheel, the other wheel is going to rotate in the opposite direction...doubt that you can replicate the noise that way but it's worth a try.

When you say you bought a "rebuilt" rear axle, are you actually saying you bought a rebuilt rear end, i.e., the entire system (axles, differential, etc.)? If so, you're right...it's hard to say what their idea of "rebuilt" would mean. It could simply mean new axle shafts, or it could mean new bearings, or it could mean a new ring/pinion gear, or it could mean adjusted the lash, or a hundred and one other things.

Make sure you're using the correct differential fluid, make sure your u-joints are greased and try it again.
Gene Gillam

Also check the diff pinion nut is tight and torqued correctly. You will have to remove the prop shaft end to do that - but it's worth the look - at least you will know it is right.
Rod
R D Jones

Could also be a rear wheel bearing . I would lift it up and see if you have sideways play. should be zero. Also lift one rear wheel up and try running it in gear. check each wheel and listen for the difference. the noisy one will need replacing. Only the lifted wheel will turn.
Sandy
ss sanders

I like Sandys answer. But then I've bought a lot of "rebuilt" items that were Krylon Rebuilds" ( a spray can brand on this side of the pond)

Dave
the rear end guy
Dave Clark Arizona

DAVE.
I have also heard SCRUB AND SQUIRT restorations.
FAST FREDDIE was famouse in these parts.
Sandy
ss sanders

The terminology we used in the RAAF was a "rag spanner".
G Evans

Wheel bearing play typically produces noise that changes when swaying left to right. That should be easily identifyable. If it changes with load vs coasting, it might be ring/pinion adjustment.

Rgds Mike
Mike Fritsch

If you were to drop the driveshaft to check the torque on the pinion flange you should first check the pinion bearing pre-load. With oiled bearings it should be 8-10 lbs /ft without the seal and a little more (1-2 lbs) with the seal. This is enough to make it somewhat hard to turn by hand. If you don't have that and it is looser you might need to pull the axle apart and rework it. Looser will eventually allow the gears to have too much slop and will gall the ring and pinion. I see it all the time with MGA pumpkins I buy for the gears. Tighter can make for very short bearing life.

Dave
Dave Clark Arizona

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2014 and 27/04/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join this live forum now