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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 MG Y Type - XPAG & YA Diff Drip

Just a thought about the infamous XPAG drip, that is to maintain the engine oil level to near minimun to reduce the sump surging effect on the rear bearing. The complete answer to the front end undoubtedly is the Volvo oil seal which is both cheap and easy to fit. Rust is now appearing on the engine cross member on my TF.

Some years ago I had a problem with diff oil wetting the rear brake linings on my YA. New oil seals then available were ineffctive since the shafts were worn and grooved [that's the problem with 200 thousand on the clock]. However by reducing the diff oil level to MIN and cornering with moderation the brake drums remained dry. Also as an extra bonus I found that enthusiastic cornering breaks half shafts, and so this problem resolved itself, even when towing a caravan over the Alpes.
Bryan

The answer to breaking axle shafts is to buy a set of new tapered axles from Jerry Austin. He sells them on eBay.
Steve Simmons

Bryan,
Most bearing- and oilseal sellers also stock ultrathin stainless steel ("speedi")sleeves that you can slide over the worn sealing surface. You might consider fitting those on the driveshafts next time you pay them attention?
Willem van der Veer

Thanks to you Steve and Willem. It is fortunate that I haven't broken a shaft on my YA since my self disciplined approach to driving [touch wood], but I will keep your suggestion in mind and always carry a spare, In my opinion its that sudden shock loading such as lifting a wheel during acceleration or cornering that shears the spline off [its those poor rear dampers fault]. However I think that if a shaft is removed, that it is replaced with care into the original spline surfaces and never swapped with the opposite side.
Since I came across some low mileage rear hub carriers and new designed seals there is now no problem, but I still fill the differential to minimum.
Bryan

Hi Bryan
Regarding the Diff leak - there should be a phosfor/bronze bush (tube) about 1 inch long in the end of each side of the axle. The half shaft fits through this bush and it should prevent the diff oil from reaching the brake shoes.
You may know this already. I'm just passing on my experience because when I had this same problem and checked my axle there were no bushes present at all. I purchased 2 from NTG Services quite cheaply. The half shafts need to come out but the bushes simply tap into the axle tube. At the same time I also puchased a new half shaft (not so cheap) which fitted nicely through the bush. The existing half shaft must have been non-standard as it was slightly too big in diameter to go through the bush and I had to have it machined thinner along its length to fit.

It's probably not a good idea to run the diff oil level on the minimum long term.

Regards
Geoff
Geoff Wells

This thread was discussed between 29/07/2008 and 31/07/2008

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