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prop shaft
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:34 pm
by FrankM83
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
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:41 pm
by Alec
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
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:44 pm
by FrankM83
and what will the results be if mounted incorrectly?
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:52 pm
by MoggyTech
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 6:54 pm
by FrankM83
thanks for your help

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:04 pm
by Alec
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
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:16 pm
by bigginger
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
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:50 pm
by MoggyTech
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.

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:04 pm
by Alec
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
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:12 pm
by MoggyTech
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

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:07 pm
by bmcecosse
Not on any diff or prop shaft I've ever seen!! You must have a unique Minor!
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:15 pm
by bigginger
That and the strange HT lead arrangement - it's *special*

a
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:19 pm
by les
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:36 pm
by bigginger
It can - two, to be precise ;)
a
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:32 am
by MoggyTech
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

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:52 am
by bigginger

a
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:17 am
by Alec
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
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:45 am
by bigginger
I think we covered this elsewhere - shouldn't have mantioned it, sorry

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:48 am
by bmcecosse
Both the prop shaft AND the diff would need to be unique - seems 'highly unlikely' to me !
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:54 pm
by MoggyTech
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
