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MG TD TF 1500 - New axle, driveshaft too short

I installed my new Dave Clark axle today but hit a snag. The drive shaft won't fit.

When measured from the casting, the pinion flange's face is 3/8" to 1/2" further forward than the flange on the old axle. I've run the knurled nut all the way forward, the shaft's splines bottom out.

Do I need to shorten the driveshaft?

..

Out with the old:



MAndrus

I saw this mentioned a while back ....



http://www.mg-cars.info/mgtd-mgtf1500-bbs/rear-end-conversion-questions-2014113009172110314.htm


mog

Just noticed a typo in the title.

The driveshaft is too LONG, not too short.

....
MAndrus

Mog. Yep, about half way down there is some discussion about the MGA's pinion flange being longer than the TD's. It's mentioned that shortening the driveshaft might have to be done. I thought this was taken care of by Dave (I have an email out to him)

Nuts. I gave a try at releasing the front end of the drive shaft to change the U joints... there just isn't an easy way to get a wrench on those nuts/bolts.

.....
MAndrus

You shouldn't need to modify the drive shaft...something is amiss...
MG LaVerne

I agree with LaVerne. Shouldn't have to shorten nor lengthen anything. Done this a few times.
Brian W.
ZBMan

Is the slip yolk seized on the driveshaft? Does it slide extending and shortening it's length?
David
D. Sander

X3 with LaVerne.
Just did mine and the prop shaft was just fine.
I have the Skyhook 5 speed box and the shaft that came with it was shorter to make it fit to the STD rear Axel. However If you have the Original Box fitted the length is still the same to the Axel.
Only thing that can hold it out is the slip yoke Dave is talking about. You should be able to move it out and in freely with the shaft not connected.

Rod
R. D. Jones

Rear springs reversed? Cheers - Dave
D.W. DuBois

I had that thought as well Dave, but I believe he would have the same issue with the original rear end.
MG LaVerne

I don't know the details of Dave's fit, but several of us in NZ have changed ratios in TD/TF's using B series crownwheels and pinions. Some have had to shorten the driveshaft, some haven't - I don't know where the difference lies. A friend of mine had the mod done and had to shorten the driveshaft: mine was done shortly after by the same expert, and I didn't. You do need to be careful, either way, to ensure that the shaft has enough free length to cope with suspension movement.

David
David Provan

I just measured the springs. The distance:

front bolt to the center, 20.5"
rear bolt to the center, 22.5"

Turning the springs will give me 1" more room, but it looks like the housing will strike the side curtain box, especially on a lumpy road.


OK, I just heard from Dave, (email):

I guess you're one of the very few. In fact you are the first that I know of out of 70 some conversions. My instructions address this. Yes the MGA flange sits 3/8 inch farther out. Cederstrand also addresses this in his book and suggests shortening the driveshaft an arbitrary 1/2 inch, why I don't know.

The goal is to have 1/2 inch gap between the flanges with the car on the ground so you will need to measure what you have and take the drive shaft to a shop that does this work. It needs to be balanced so be sure you find a shop that knows how to do it right. It should not be too difficult or expensive.

Please keep in touch on this.

Dave.


So, OK. I have a drive shaft that's a bit longer - or - my springs are turned wrong-way 'round.

Can someone (or a few, we'll take a poll) measure their distance from front bolt to center bolt.

20.5" or 22.5"

I had a drive shaft made for the '34 'rod, so this isn't a big thing to get done, I just wasn't planning on missing 2 shows this weekend.

...
MAndrus

Fat finger typing and too early.

..... 2" more room - swinging the springs end for end of course is silly to even think about, so forget it. (1" ....maybe)

I've already located a drive shaft mfgr. 1 hour away, and several others in the state.

...
MAndrus

I have a drive shaft laying out in the shop Mitch...I'll get out and get a measurement his morning.
MG LaVerne

Mitch
I installed one of Dave's rear axle's to my TF about 5 years ago. I recall being worried about drive shaft fit, but I was trying to place the drive shaft with the rear of car on stands and the rear axle hanging down.
Try to support the rear end more to driving level and then check the fit.
I did not make any notes back then, but eventually all fit together with no modification and no problems since.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

It's on stands under the axle.

The measurement flange to flange is 37 1/8". The axle just won't get that short. I only need about 1/2" taken out of it.

I dropped it off at a drive shaft fabricator this am. I'm 27th in line... it'll be done Tuesday I hope.

....
MAndrus

Should have mentioned, the wire wheel/hub splines are in PERFECT shape. TF parts were installed who knows when. I have heard stories of the splines wearing needing to be thrown away.
MAndrus

This thread was discussed between 27/05/2015 and 28/05/2015

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