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MG MG Y Type - Half Shafts minor mysteries

I have recently acquired a 1951 YA. I removed the half shafts in order to ascertain their condition. I'm happy to report that, although they seem to be of period vintage, they are in excellent condition: never broken & repaired + no sign of twisting anywhere.

However, both are different: One has «EN17» written in raised letters on the outer flangle and has a grease nipple, like the illustration in the Y's technical manual. The other has «EN19» written in raised letters on the outer flangle, «REGENT No 720» stamped on the shaft itself and has NO grease nipple.

1) Would it be preferable that I drill the #19 flange & fit a grease nipple? Or would it be quite sufficient to just manually pack bearing grease between the flange and the bearing + rely on the surplus rear axle 140w oil to make its way to the bearing over time?

2) Would anybody know if the #19 half-shaft is a more modern re-issue (made only a few years ago) or would it come from another type of period automobile, such as a Morris?

Thank you & best regards.
Gilles Bachand
Gilles Bachand

Packing should be sufficient Gilles. Do make sure that you put them back in the same side they came out of though as they will have been tensioned even though you cannot see it.

If you are a glutton for punishment you can put a grease nipple in the one that doesnt have one though.

The Regent 720 may well have come off a Morris 10 Series M.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Thank you Paul.

I took my punishment and installed a grease nipple. It took less than 5 minutes. I'm surprized at the softness of the metal and how fast I was able to go through ¼ inch of it - only a few seconds. No wonder the shafts are weak!

Best regards,
Gilles
Gilles Bachand

Gilles

The tensility of the end cap is different to that of the splines or of the shaft, so I am not surprised that you were able to drill it easily. Think you'll find the shaft a little tougher as it is load bearing though!

Paul
Paul Barrow

Forgot to mention on this thread that YA/YT half shafts are now currently being remanufactured and are available through the MG Octagon Car Club (see Links Page / Suppliers / Half shafts on www.mgytypes.org).

Although not to the original design in terms of the design of the end cap - they are very servicable alternatives to a lack of mobility with a broken one since the end cap is normally hidden by the hub cap!
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 08/04/2007 and 12/04/2007

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