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MG TD TF 1500 - U joints, a necessary evil

Guess what I did today?

MAndrus

I got the newly shortened drive shaft back (1 day turn-around) and after a quick test fit dug into changing the U-joints. The shaft was shortened 1/2".

The next picture shows something that gave me a bit of pause. It clearly shows that the needle bearing had frozen and the bearing cap was turning in the casting. The tell-tale sign is slight, but is easy to spot if you know to look for it. The casting isn't made to take this type of wear, failure is always the result. (Look for the wear under the lock ring. Under normal operation the cap and ring don't move)

So..... While I was going to change the U joints while installing the high-speed rear axle anyway, the need to do so now was just good timing. I could have waited til Fall at which time it would have gone too far to fix.

So... the lesson boys and girls.... it's not enough to just give them a push of grease now and then.

You need to look at them.

.....

MAndrus


Mitch,

Your a braver man than me Gunga Din :) Toying
with your Hardy-Spicer's

I think if I went to all the trouble and I really should. - [It has been since 1974] - Did you say they need a shot of Grease :)
New replacements might be a good idea. As it takes enough effort to get under there and remove them anyway at this age.

I see Moss are asking a fair price.
268-060 $20.95 U-JOINT, Hardy-Spicer (OEM) each
268-061 $13.95 U-JOINT, aftermarket

The bolts might be a tad high. May need to source those.
321-338 $16.95 BOLT & NUT SET, for 1 flange, 4 bolts & nuts

Are the new ones as good as the originals? Almost every car has them right? - They may even be better now?

Rod.
R. D. Jones

Maybe I'm missing something here but in the image what I see looks like an attempt to weld the U joint cap and circlip to the yoke. Am I correct?
John Quilter (TD8986)

I agree John, looks the same to me also. I hope that isn't the case though. JB Weld?? Grin. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Hmm... just looks like grotty, dried out grease that's been extruded to me, but we'll wait to hear from Mr. Andrus...
Kevin McLemore

No warning? No noise or vibration?
Len Fanelli

Mitch
Before you re install the shaft, take it back to your drive line shop and have it balanced.
Now is the time.

Tom
T Norby

John. Nope, it's a 62 year accumulation of Florida sand and engine oil.

You should see the rest of the underside.

...
MAndrus

Len, no noise. Like I said I caught it quite by accident early in the process.

My car came from a dealer representing the 2nd owner who had fallen ill for a decade or more. I only put 300 miles or so on the car, so I'm assuming the cap got gummed up while sitting so long.

The needles were not burned in and the old cap was anything but loose coming out. The new cap was tight enough to need to be pressed in like the others - so I'm not in the least worried about it's fit in the yoke.

....
MAndrus

This thread was discussed on 30/05/2015

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