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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - rear half shaft breaking

HI folks out there.

On the second day of spring, just got the td out of the garage and drove a kilometer disaster hit.
Broken rear half axle.
I sure don't baby the car, but I don't think I'am
abusive either, it is after all, built to drive.
Does anyone have an idea where to purchase a high duty axle shaft?
Or hardened half shafts?

Alvin.
ALVIN ST.JAGO

Not sure, but I think Bob Grunau makes them for TD's as well as TC's?
gblawson (gordon)- TD#27667

Try Jerry Austin, he has a garage and I think he makes them. I think they are about $100 each. He is in Southern california, and in the Vintage MG Club.

jdaustinmg@dslextreme.com

regards,
Larry
Larry Ayres

jerry always has them listed on ebay as well. regards, tom
tom peterson

Alvin,

Larry Ayres is on the right track, Jerry Austin often puts his halfshafts on eBay as Larry has noted.

In an exchange of e-mails I had with Jerry Austin last year, here is a description of his product ... " Here’s some very good news for mg td and TF owners. I have commissioned a very few brand new axle shafts to be made from high-duty material, with other improvements incorporated, too. The result is certainly a much more reliable axle shaft than the original one. Here are the material and hardness specifications:

Old Material: 1340 -- New material: 1541.

Heat treating is by high-temperature induction.

The shaft was originally surface-hardened to #50 ~ #55, whereas it is now done to #62 (which penetrates further--to about 1/3 of the diameter).

Also, the shaft itself, where it used to be 15/16” in diameter from the splines at the end that fits into the differential, is reduced to 7/8” from there to where it tapers upward to the bearing stop flange. This makes that area a good deal more resistant to snapping, in which the initial torque is absorbed by actually twisting the shaft, rather than imparting a kinetic stress which could break at the point the spline enters the differential gears. (note: re-worded by me - GAC)

Because breaking an axle has been an on-going problem for over 50 years, I decided to see what I could do to try to help T owners by getting this extra-duty shaft made by a company that has produced axles for many, many decades. The cost has been pretty high, but I can still pass along some substantial savings and open the auction with a starting bid WELL BELOW any company that sells them among their commercial wares (I’ve seen $185.32 and $169.95 per each), and with NO RESERVE.

I don’t think any of you who travel a lot in your TD or TF should be without a spare axle shaft aboard when you travel anywhere (if fits neatly into the side curtain compartment). And here’s an opportunity to lessen the chance you will get another factory-type shaft–when you really need one–and at a price well below the stock axles offered.

Also, I subsequently questioned Abingdon Spares about half-shaft part # AAA1091, item 28 on page 27, on the same subject, and here is an extract from their e-mail:-

" .. I have finally been able to speak to our supplier of axle half-shafts. The English term is EN 24 which is the same as our SAE 43/40. This, I believe he said, is a chrome/alloy material which some prefer mainly for racing, but not necessarily required.

Originally, these axle half-shafts were made of a carbon material. Our's are made of an SAE 15/41H or EN 12 which is plenty strong for these cars."

Hope this info helps.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

Alvin ; Purchased 2 axles from Jerry last year-well made parts at a fair price. I would change both,since they are probably of the same age and miles. Be a good time for fresh seals and bearings,too.
Dan Craig
D.R. Craig

Jerry's most recent eBay listings:
Starting bid: US $99.95

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MG-TD-TF-AND-YB-REMARKABLE-EXTRA-DUTY-AXLE-SHAFT_W0QQitemZ350054025616QQihZ022QQcategoryZ4150QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MG-TD-TF-AND-YB-REMARKABLE-EXTRA-DUTY-AXLE-SHAFT_W0QQitemZ350053870747QQihZ022QQcategoryZ4150QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Larry
Larry Shoer

Alvin - While the half shafts that Jerry Austin supplies should be quite robust, I would still follow my long time habit of making sure that I never let the car roll back and pop the clutch when starting on a hill. I always use the hand brake to keep the car from rolling back before starting. With th extremely low gear ratio of the rear axle coupled with a graby clutch is a recipe for broken half shafts. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

With the exception of a TF-1500, all 4 of the past and present TD owners in town here have snapped axles. The opposite sides were pulled, and were all nearly twisted apart. The TF is an original 18,000 mile car with original shafts. Mine were replaced likely early 1980's with whatever Moss or Abindon had. Likely 15-20K miles on them. During recent restoration I pulled them and they are perfect- as new. I drive my TD pretty hard- not abusive, but do drive it. I bet yours was an original shaft? George
George Butz

Remember fellows the axles become set with a twist once used and should always be replaced to the same side that they were removed.
D Clark

This thread was discussed between 28/04/2008 and 03/05/2008

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