prop shaft

Post by **FrankM83** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:34 pm

Hi all, apparently I did a grave mistake when I removed the prop shaft from the diff I didnt mark which bolt went in which hole , on the workshop manual says it is IMPORTANT to do so. how can I replace the prop shaft correctly now? Thanks

Post by **Alec** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:41 pm

Hello Frank,

there are only two ways it will go on, so you have a two to one chance of being right first time.

But I bet that there is hardly a car on which this is done and causes a problem.

I wouldn't worry.

Alec

Post by **FrankM83** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:44 pm

and what will the results be if mounted incorrectly?

Post by **MoggyTech** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:52 pm

FrankM83 wrote:and what will the results be if mounted incorrectly?

Vibration due to imbalance, but highly unlikely. Later diff flanges and prop shaft rear flange have offset holes, and it is impossible to fit it the wrong way.

Post by **FrankM83** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:54 pm

thanks for your help

Post by **Alec** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:04 pm

Hello MT,

how can propellor shaft mounting relative to the differential affect it's balance? An surely the flanges are able to fit two ways i.e. the two different pitches of flange holes make that possible?

Alec

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:16 pm

If they were balanced whilst connected to the diff/box, I guess it could, but that seems a tad unlilkey. I'm probably wrong though. Have to say it's something I've always ignored

a

Post by **MoggyTech** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:50 pm

Alec wrote:Hello MT,

how can propellor shaft mounting relative to the differential affect it's balance? An surely the flanges are able to fit two ways i.e. the two different pitches of flange holes make that possible?

Alec

Well most propshafts are balanced at factory without being connected to a diff flange, yet even the official BMC manual says to mark the shaft, so it's one of those grey areas. On my traveller, it is impossible to fit the propshaft in anything but one way. The holes just don't line up as they are spaced unevenly around the flange PCD circle. Which I would have though might cause an inbalance, but it doesn't.

Post by **Alec** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:04 pm

Hell M.T.,

exactly, are you sure that your flanges are like that. I have never come across it. They normally are a rectangle in spacing?

Alec

Post by **MoggyTech** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:12 pm

Alec wrote:Hell M.T.,

exactly, are you sure that your flanges are like that. I have never come across it. They normally are a rectangle in spacing?

Alec

Yup certain, as the first time I took the propshaft off, it took me ages to figure out why it wouldn't go back on! The holes form a trapezoid if that's the correct term

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:07 pm

Not on any diff or prop shaft I've ever seen!! You must have a unique Minor!

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:15 pm

That and the strange HT lead arrangement - it's *special*

a

Post by **les** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:19 pm

If it says mark the prop, one imagines it can fit more than One way!
I tend to believe the official manual, maybe tm has a one off.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:36 pm

It can - two, to be precise ;)
a

Post by **MoggyTech** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:32 am

Yup, I've got a dizzy that is 180 degrees out, and a propshaft that appears to be unique

No wonder I scratch my head while reading the Haynes BOL

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:52 am

Post by **Alec** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:17 am

Hello M.T.

it is quite easy to have a distributor 180 degrees out, take the dog off without noting it's orientation and put it back 180 degrees out.

Alec

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:45 am

I think we covered this elsewhere - shouldn't have mantioned it, sorry

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:48 am

Both the prop shaft AND the diff would need to be unique - seems 'highly unlikely' to me !

Post by **MoggyTech** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:54 pm

Well after remembering that I fitted a new diff a few years back, I thought it highly unlikely I would have received a special diff that would fit a special prop shaft. So today while I was crawling about under the car doing some waxoyl work, I double checked the diff to prop shaft mounting holes. I think my new glasses are better than the ones I wore two years ago

The bolts holes are indeed spaced as a rectangle, so my propshaft is just a plain old boring standard lump. I'll collect the 'Numpty' award on the way out ladies and gents