Van rear Axle

[surfergirl]

Hi Folks Happy New year!
Need to replace the van rear axle as its been rusting and starting to flake off large lumps of what was metal casing, also the mounting points for the leaf springs are not good.
Thought it could be a good time to put a saloon/traveller one on, as I think the vans had a gearing for carrying loads, so on the flat you run out of fourth gear. Anyone know if the MGs used similar axles?
Cheers Chaps.

[les]

I don't know what mg axle you are thinking of but I'd be doubtful about the dimensions being compatible. You'd probably be better off using a minor saloon axle, the diff gearing will be slightly higher than the van.

[surfergirl]

Cool, anyone know of one in my neck of the woods?

[philthehill]

The Midget/Sprite rear axle casing (all variants) is narrower and is not suitable for mounting in a Minor.
The diff, rear brakes and hubs from a disc wheel Midget/Sprite are suitable for use with the Minor axle casing.
Just make sure that you have the oil level/filler plug in the right place.

[surfergirl]

Thanks for the reply, Just found this post on another forum about fitting MG to Morris.
http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5212

[SteveClem]

Crikey, that all sounds a lot of grief for little benefit!

[myoldjalopy]

Just get an axle and diff from a 1098 saloon..................

[surfergirl]

Thanks,
Not that easy to find near Lands End ! Been looking on Ebay but not much of interest.

[myoldjalopy]

Pm sent!

[philthehill]

When you come to replace the rear axle casing you will/may find the spring to axle casing interface different. Normally there are no rubber plates either side of the spring only flat plates bolted to the spring. This was done to aid axle location.
See attached parts list for details.

[surfergirl]

Hey Chaps,
In my quest for a rear axle can can anyone ID this as a Moggy Axle?

[philthehill]

The location of the axle serial number of a Minor axle is on the front of the L/H axle tube adjacent to the spring seat.
The 9/38 figures stamped on the casing could indicate that the diff was 4.22 - 1 - but unusual to see the ratio stamped on the casing.
The 4.22 - 1 ratio was fitted to the Minor 1098cc and the Sprite/Midget 1098cc.

The width of the axle casing in question must be determined to give a competent answer.

If it is a Sprite /Midget axle casing it is not suitable.

[surfergirl]

Thanks for the reply.
Managed to find on the tin t web an axle that is said to be from a traveller 1098, they say the ratio is 3.1 diff.
Is that right?
Cheers

[philthehill]

There is no 3.1 'A' Series rear axle diff ratio listed.
The 1098cc traveller/car is normally fitted with a 4.22 (9/38) crown wheel and pinion.
The 948cc traveller car is normally fitted with a 4.55 (9/41) crown wheel and pinion.
The diff ratio numbers (9/38 or 9/41) are usually stamped on the top of the diff carrier flange which means you can check the diff ratio without having to strip out the diff from the axle.