Old rear axle -- what to check?

[Fingolfin]

Hi gang,

Got an interesting one for you today. My Mog, as some of you now, is fitted with an MM axle -- but it is a Minor 1000. (Suppose an old owner couldn't get a right replacement.) I have obtained a 1000 rear axle, and it all appears there on the outside, but I have no experience with axles...so what am I looking for on the inside? How can I make sure it works before it's fitted to the car?

Also, if any of you have two spare wheels you'd be willing to export to America...I could do with them...because the axle didn't come with them. Or springs. (Are MM springs the same as 1000 springs? Is it a straight swap onto them?)

[bmcecosse]

You can use the springs you have but indeed you will need 4" pcd wheels. Just open up the axle and check/clean the diff - and inspect the ends of the half shafts to make sure there is no undue 'twisting' of the splines - or indeed any signs of cracking! Rear hub bearings should be checked too - maybe fit new seals ?

[mike.perry]

The Series MM was originally fitted with 7 leaf rear springs 7/32in thickness. These are thinner than the Traveller springs 7 x 1/4in which people mistakenly replace them with. The later cars had 5 x 1/4in springs which are a satisfactory substitute for the original springs.
Actually you need three 4in PCD wheels (1 x spare)
Did the axle come complete with brake drums and wheel nuts?

[moggydriver62]

I have stock morris wheels.I think I mentioned it to you some time ago.
Are there none near you? I am in Los Angeles area.I'm not sure its worth
the cost of shipping.If you can't find any local contact me,1 818 362 7869.
kenny.

[bmcecosse]

Although the spring are slightly different - you can use them on the 'new' axle.

[RobThomas]

FWIW, I'd just fit it and give it a try. The work required to strip, inspect and refit is more than the effort to remove and replace another one. Ultimately, they usually go on forever and if it does need some work then it is possible to do it whilst on the car. Only take the driveshafts out if you need to change the oil seal on the axle ends (Lots of oil, not brake fluid, inside the drum or down the outside of the brake backplate)

[MarkyB]

Another one may not be that easy to come by in the USA.
Might be OK if you know where it came from, otherwise it could be the one that was removed by uncle Fred 20 years ago and put in the shed because it was noisy/other fault.

[Fingolfin]

Huh! Mine is fitted with five springs! So it's got the right ones for the 'new' axle...it's got the drums and nuts. It's complete, I believe, except for springs, wheels, and brake lines -- all of which I have.

The axle was once used regularly, but was removed and left to sit for five years. So goes the story. I believe it was removed because the rest of the car was gone bad, rather than the axle itself.........but best to check everything out.