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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Hub nut torque

I need to renew my rear hub bearings and seals.
Having great difficulty undoing one hub nut, never been off before.
It's the left hand thread one (Nearside), is it just a case of a very long extension bar, push clockwise until either nut comes off or something else snaps !
Or is there a clever trick to undoing the nut ?
Also, can't seem to find what the nut should be torqued up to when refitting, does anybody know what the torque should be ?
Steve

Basicly yes, but let me suggest that an impact wrench (not impact driver which are rubbish) are the tool of choice here, stick it on the nut, set to forwards, pull trigger, wait a moment, remove parts.

To do the other side, same as, but set to backwards.

How did I live before I got this tool?
Will Munns

the subject of hub nut torque has been discussed here previuosly. Because the nut is so large and thin a good box spanner is called for [got mine from a steam fair for 50p] and torqued to "FT"....
dave c

It doesn't need to be quite that tight, it's handed and held in place with a keyed locking washer which should ensure there is no acidental removal.

Anyhows, this is how to undo
Will Munns

My own tool of choice is a honkin' big wrench I got at a discount tool store nearby. It's got a box-end on one side and an open end on the other, both 1-7/8". The angled offset on the box-end is just enough to allow the handle to clear the wheel arch, and the tool is long enough to provide sufficient leverage when removing/replacing the nut.

As for tightness, I agree with the above. Torque usually applies to fasteners that stretch a bit in use, such as bolts and studs. In this case there's no fastener per se, so there's no set torque. You're just snugging the bearing's inner race up against a shoulder on the axle housing, and the idea is to get it tight enough to prevent any motion, be it spinning or in/out. So Will's got it, just snug the thing up smartly and secure it with the keyed washer tab.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Clean up the faces of the nuts - one of them will be stamped UNSLH which is short for unscrew left hand, it undoes in the opposite direction to normal.
David Smith(davidDOTsmithATstonesDOTcom

It's a little known fact that the MGA and early MGB - with 3-synchro gearbox - use the very same LH threaded nut on the first motion shaft.

Well, a few more people know it now! ;o)
Dave O'Neill 2

I did this job recently due to a broken half shaft caused by the bearing breaking up and the flange on shaft being unsupported causing metal fatigue. The hub nut is 1&7/8" and according to Restoring Sprites and midgets by Grahame Bristow should be done up to 45ft/lbs.

Chris
Chris Hale

Funnily enough (no I aint a laughing) this became a live topic for me this afternoon I found my brake adjuster on the nearside was screwing right in and doing wuggerall, so off wiv the drum and there was a dribble of oil out of the hub as I dislodged the doings

seems the hub bearing has decided to wear out and it is leaving Peter May's finest doing almost all of the work.

I have been hearing a fine whine lately, so this takes the worry off the diff a little and translates to me needing two new brake adjuster tappet thingies, a hub bearing, a new paper washer, a new O ring (the hub bearing chatter is wearing it's way through part of the O ring) and maybe a new lock washer

and brake shoes

please dont let it rain tomorrow, off to Leaceys...
Bill

Peter May's finest will only cope for so long.

An excessively worn bearing and too many trips around the hairpin at Mallory Park is enough to snap the end off!
Dave O'Neill 2

I thought so, gently slipped it all together and quietly put her away for the night

Halfshaft looks OK at the moment

and I doubt if I could even keep the car on the hard stuff on THAT hairpin, blarryell it's a tight 'un
Bill

That is indeed the correct size of the nut.

BUT

If you buy a new one you'll invariably get an inch and three quarters!
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

<<If you buy a new one you'll invariably get an inch and three quarters!>>


...and made in China from recycled razor blades, presumably!
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks for the advice men.
Reassuring to know that I'm not about to do anything daft, always best to ask.
Thanks again for all the contributions.
Steve
Steve

I made a nut wrench thingy from a Morris Minor halfshaft (they are longer) with the 'socket' made from 3 pieces of steel plate welded onto the mating face and a socket adaptor welded to the outer face. Makes it easier to keep it all square (sitting on the wheel studs!) when the nut is done up. I have a similar shortie version for pulling the hub off the axle casing using a thick disc to brace against the end of the tube.
rob multi-sheds thomas

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2008 and 15/05/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.