MG Sports Cars

Hard to explain but when I put the mg up last year the shifter seamed loose. Left it alone till today. Something seems tight. Clutch is fine. Shifts ok. Something going on. I am not a mechanic.. I need to take it some where. My problem is to whom to take it. I feel if I drive it to far something bad could happen. Sorry I can't explain it more clearly. I live close to Cincinnati.

Now i’m starting to think that it could be a Ford 8”rear end. I know when I used to get on it I would feel something in the driveshaft. I know when I change the rear end the driveshaft seem to be a little short but it still worked.

OK I went out jacked up the car and when I spun the passenger wheel the drivers wheel stayed still and I went over and spun the drivers wheel and a passenger started to go to same time then I went back and spun the passenger side and the driver side started spinning it is a posi traction. The thing is it was making a growling noise.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2019 08:34AM by 1979 MGB.

Dennis, if it is a *'8" Ford, almost any "Old School" shop should be able to do repairs. Maybe an axle brg on 1 side or perhaps a carrier bearing. Next is Pinion bearings. Each axle has a bearing and each side of carrier has a bearing. The pinion has a bearing on each end. If you are sure the problem is at rear, should be more easily repaired than the Tranny. If carrier has to come out, might consider replacing the Trac Loc clutch plates for the limited slip. Extra cost should only be parts.

....and don't forget a small bottle of friction modifier to feed those clutch plates!

Kelly I’m pretty sure that’s what was making a noise when I’m driving it is the rear end since I jack it up and got to hear it. I won the rear end on eBay for one dollar and I put all new parts in it and I’m pretty sure it did have the Limited slip and also I did add the modifier when It was put together . When I got this only had to cut off a couple inches at Moser. How Much modifier do I add how many ounces.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2019 10:01AM by 1979 MGB.

Grab each rear wheel/axle with rear off the ground, try to wiggle side to side or top to bottom. should be no in-out or side to side movement. determine which side makes the noise. If neither side, next is internal in the chunk. Axles must come out to R&R the chunk, but then all the internal bearings can be examined.
Sometimes one can elevate the entire rear end and put car in gear to allow the wheels to turn, while another person listens to determine if either side or the noise is from the dif. Be careful to place jack stands under the housing or pinch welds. Let us know?

Ford sells a small bottle (somewhere around 4 oz) - add completely to the diff oil.

Thank you Graham. Found a place to take the car I’ll let you all know the ending.

The more I dig into this and read what could be making the noise could it be the u-joints that have gone bad.
Only time I ever had a joint go bad was in my truck years ago and the drive shaft fell off. The first thing I’m gonna have them do is check the joint.

Oops you’re not gonna believe this. The tailpiece shifter attached to the transmissions by two bolts and rubber bushings, those rubber bushings were wore out and the tail piece was bowing down hitting the driveshaft. That’s what was making the shifter jump all around and that horrible noise. They make nylon bushings for that now which I will get. I’m just shocked that the shifter is that close to the driveshaft. In the meantime I was able to slide a couple of metal shims on top of the transmission up to the tail piece and kind a held in place and went out for a ride. But it also gave me a chance to drain the transmission and refill it. Now comes all those other things I need to do like a new top and fix the turn signal’s and other odds and ends. Unbelievable.

Good News! Not too bad after all. See you in Wytheville? It not close as Dayton, but not to difficult to get to. :-)

Good news Dennis....are you still in the Hamilton area? Perhaps we could travel down to Wytheville together..