Morris Minor Owners Club

Is it common to have to ream it ?

Dunno never come across this type of bush before, If it needs reaming, its going to be damn difficult after the seal is fitted. I'll just have to take my propshaft off and measure it. I was just hoping someone had one lying around and could give me the size.

As I said, I can get you the size, I think you will find that the bush will 'shrink' when driven in (no easy task) this will then involve reaming, I bought an adjustable reamer to step the size up gradually until the prop yoke was a slide fit. Don't fit the seal beforehand! You can't do this job without dismantling the gearbox tail!

Thanks les I missed your reply. I have the gearbox apart, the bush looks worn, so I thought I would replace it. I have a lathe, if I can mount the tail piece, I can run the bush down to size. Am I right in thinking this bush is there just to stop the tail shaft and prop shaft collar wapping about, the main strain being on the main shaft bearing.

Hi, Can get a size for you tomorrow, the bush basically acts as a bearing supporting the end of the mainshaft, as the main bearing is some distance away. The prop yoke completing the arrangement by filling the gap, and taking the strain off the ball race.

thanks les

Pretty sure that bush is the main thing supporting the propshaft. But surprised if it needs reaming. There's no special tool listed for the job in the Manual, although various tools for removing and refitting the oil seal are listed. Of course - there is no mention at all in the manual of renewing the tail bush. Are you sure it needs renewing ? Between your two spare boxes - is there not a 'good' one you can use ?

Between your two spare boxes - is there not a 'good' one you can use ?

I have measured them both, they are both the same, If I just knew the size of the sleeve at the yoke end of the propshaft, I would know whether I am worrying about nothing. I have ordered a bush, just in case.

The shaft that revolves in this bush is 1.118inches, so a reamer to start under and end over this measurement is required, ie adjustable reamer.
If you use a lathe, I would think a steady near the end of the casting would be needed, but think the run-out might present a problem.

You know how you don't understand when people use latin phrases? Know how you feel now
a

Ok then, lets call a truce!

OK ;)
a

Thanks for that size (1.118") les - handy to know.

thanks I'll have a measure tomorrow, I have a couple of reamers but I dont think they are that big. I was going to try and mount the casing on the tool carrier and use a small fly cutter. Haven't sussed it out yet.

I wonder what the origianl running clearance from the factory worked out at. 1.118 seems an odd size. 1.125 maybe ? Even that's quite tight!

Fly cutter now there's a name I haven't heard in a while.

Well I measured the prop yoke as this revolves in the bush, so xdb has a working figure. He can no doubt use his own to get the correct clearance.
The yoke may well have some wear, which might account for the odd size.
It's a strange thing that a shaft usually wears more than a bush.

a good place to start thanks for the info.

It's a strange thing that a shaft usually wears more than a bush

The bush is brass and should really wear first, the shaft wouldn't be worn all along its full length, there should be some original size left.

Is it just brass - or phosphor bronze ? I agree - there should be an 'unworn' section on the shaft although I doubt there will be much wear on either part - the bush is really just a 'steady'.

I think it's brass, but not certain, it is steel backed though.