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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - rear end hub screwa

Hi y'all, I have a couple of questions. I took the hub off the leaking side of my 1500 rear end, and the bearing cage fell out. Is the cage not fastened to the balls? Is this how the bearing is supposed to be?
Next question, there are 3 screws in the hub, and 4 holes in the axle flange. The hub has a boss that is not drilled. Why?? Would It help to drill and tap this boss for a 4th scew or doesn't it help with leaks
DW Wittkopp

3 screws is correct; one holds the halfshaft in place, the other 2 hold the brake drum in place, both just during assembly. It's the 4 wheel nuts & studs that hold the whole lot together and take all the load and provide the compression for the joints, so a 4th screw would not have any effect.
David Smith

If the cage fell out, he be dead.
Is is a brass one? The older ones were and they break when the internal clearances become excessive. Later bearings are steel or plastic cages, don't normally break, but if they do it's the same problem but worse.
Maybe explains your leak.

FRM
FR Millmore

It's a steel cage. I think they're spot welded together,and locate the rollers evenly around the bearing. The bearing is not a sealed bearing,how would the cage keep my hub from leaking? It looks as though the oil has to run through the bearing to lube it,and the seals keep it inside the hub. Is this right?
DW Wittkopp

The cage does not keep it from leaking, but the only thing that breaks cages is worn out bearings. Wear increases the spreading loads between balls or rollers, that breaks the cage. When the cage breaks, the balls spread even more, and once the balls get out of position, the bearing slop increases hugely. It is the actual bearing wear and slop that unseats the seal from its track, letting the oil out. Also, possible bits of cage and worn bearing do the seal lip no good at all.

FRM
FR Millmore

This thread was discussed on 03/08/2011

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