Morris Minor Owners Club

I think I am going mad!!

I have been draining and replacing all the fluids today,and checking the car over for the MOT.

My car has a Midget rear axle.

Most axles have the filler halfway up the rear casing,but not on this one!!

I have hunted round and round the axle casing,all I can find is the drain bung underneath and the small breather at the top.
Surely you do not fill the axle by the breather???

All my other vehicles,and most others have the filler halfway up the rear casing

Any thoughts please,informative ones!!!

Brouchaud

ssome diffs had a filler

It may be that your diff has the filler rather than the casing (as Dennis says) however if it had a filler originally and someone has changed for a different ratio then it is possible you are left with no alternative other than to fill through the breather. About 1 litre should be enough if this is the case (from empty) as you will have no way of checking the level easily....

What you are saying is that if the axle ratio was changed,a blanking plate was put in place of the coventional cover which would have had the filler bung in it?

Why did they have to do this?

Would they have fitted a Midget crown and pinion into the Morris axle.

I know my way round classic Jaguars,this is the wife`s car and some things are different to what I am used to.

Brouchaud

It's certainly NOT a Spridget axle - they are too narrow! You just have the unfortunate combo of an axle casing with no filler, and a diff with no filler! As above - fill through the breather, or, tediously jack it up at a high angle - draw a half-shaft, and dribble the oil in there.......

The rear axle for the 948cc engine has a filler hole in the differential casing but not in the axle case.
The rear axle for the 1098cc engine has a filler hole in the axle case but not in the differential casing.
If someone has fitted a 1098cc differential to a 948cc axle case there is no filler hole to put the oil in.

I think Brouchard means a Midget diff in a Minor axle? So, if it is a 948 axle with a Midget diff then you have definately no other way of filling unless you go in through the breather - either that or change the axle for one from a 1098 vehicle.....

The engine is a Midget 1275,and the rear axle was modified to suit.
We were told it was a Midget back axle.
Or did they mean Midget crown and pinion in a Minor axle?
Anyway it certainly cruises along a lot better than standard!!
I have now filled the axle with oil through the breather vent,no problems.
Just a thought,did Midget diffs not have a filler plug?
Brouchaud

Yes, they meant Midget crown wheel and pinion (this is the diff). The axle is the whole assembly. Midget diffs did not have a filler as it was on the axle casing as were the later 1098 Minors. You have a 948 axle casing with a Midget diff....

Thank you all for your advice.

You were so helpful.

The car is now on the road for a season of Fun!!!!

Brouchaud

If you thought that it was worth the effort then you could remove the diff and drill and tap a filler hole in the rear casing or on the side of the diff.

I was thinking about doing the same thing (I have the same set up) although I believe the original hole was tapered. I guess this wouldn't matter though as long as the hole was sealed properly.....