Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all,

The last mechanical job on my traveller resto is the tailshaft.

The front yoke is quite badly grooved on the bit that goes into the gearbox were the rear oil seal runs.

Should i try and find a new one, or just fit it not worry about it.

cheers Moray

I've spoken to a driveshaft repair place, and they have suggested fitting a speedie-sleeve.

has anyone used of these ?

You need to consider WHY this has worn. Maybe there is/was mis-alignment of parts (rear axle location/gearbox mounts...) and that the bush in the tail of the gearbox will presumably also be badly worn. Don't know about speedi-sleeve - depends on cost and condition of the U joints in the shaft I suppose if it's worth it.. Good used prop shafts are often very cheap!

The front uni joint is stuffed, and the diff pinion bearings and oil seal were also no good. I can't remember how the gearbox was. But I've had the gearbox and diff rebuilt so they are now good.

Unfortunatley morrie prop shafts are bit hard to find in my neck of the woods so i need to repair my old one.

I have two new uni joints, but am not sure about the wear on the front yoke, and don't want to put the effort into rebuilding it if it will damage the gearbox, or cause it to leak oil.

Moray,
If there's a groove it is highly likely it will leak-might be OK with a new oil seal. The yoke is 30mm (later cars) and the new seal is 29.2mm inner to the edge of the lip. ESM sell secondhand propshafts for £25. Why not ask them would they dismantle one and post the front yoke to Australia. It's very light. I just weighed one I have here (which also has a groove although you can hardly notice it- and it did leak otherwise I'd post it to you) at 760grams ~27ounces. I don't know UK postal rates but had a look here and DHL charge ~£10 up to 2kg from here to Australia so I'm sure it's about the same from the UK. I would also replace both UJ's not just the front. Maybe some kind donor will have something decent lying around to help you out.
Regards
Declan

I thought there were loads of old Minors lying about in Australia/New Zealand ?? So - it depends on cost - you will need to have hew U joints fitted - and the sleeve. Balance that cost against getting another shaft....... It may be the way to go. The bearing in the gearbox tail shaft will need to be reamed to the size of the sleeve + running clearance. I believe the bearing is quite thin - so make sure the sleeve is not oversize!

Thanks guys
I'll try and track down a decent s/h one.
I rang the local supplier and he didn't seem to enthusiastic to help.
he said he is lucky to wreck one minor a year, since the price for scrap went up a few years ago