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September 29th, 2008

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Q & A: Axles and Wheels

Thursday March 27th, 2003
Q & A, MGA, MGB, MGC, MG T-Type, Midget
Dear John Twist,

I located your email from your web-site. I have a technical
question which I tried to locate in the Q&A section of your web
site and did a search as well but while there were many similar
questions I do not feel as if I know the answer to my question.

Here it is:

I own a 1971 MGB and want to change my wire wheels for Rostyle wheels.

I have found another MGB owner who would like to swap his (1979 MGB)
ROstyle
wheels for my (1971 MGB) wire wheels.

I have removed the wheels and hubs that hold them to the axle and then
looking at the MGB workshop manual noticed a difference in the
diagrams
showing two axles, one for disc wheels and the other for wire wheels.

Is it necessary to replace the axle shafts as well? From what I can
see on the outside of the axle shafts all dimensions and components
look
identical, is there some internal difference?

I would appreciate your assistance or direct me to a response you have
already made so as not to have to repeat yourself. Thanks again.

Eric Connell

Eric!

Your exchange would be relatively simple if your associate had a
pre
77 MGB. As it is, the exchange may be difficult.

The front hubs swap back and forth -- no problem. Just make
certain
you have enough shims to set up the end float; and DO NOT get the hubs
switched left to right.

The rear axle must be changed COMPLETELY -- the disc wheel diff
is
wider than the wire wheel diff. This would not be a problem, but in 1977
the factory added a rear anti- sway bar. To make this exchange in my
shop,
I would cut the ears for the sway bar from the 1979 rear axle and fit the
works to your car, no problem. Then, I would fit your rear axle to his
car,
mount the sway bar, load the rear axle to it is "just" beginning to lift
the
car, and weld those ears onto your old diff.

Let me know if you want more information!

John

Thank you very much John,

I appreciate your advice. Another question unrelated,
will you be attending the All British Car show in Kansas City this
fall? I think it is in September?

sincerely,

Eric



Eric!

I'll be at the Abingdon Summer Party in Abingdon IL on August
17th -- that's as far west as I'm travelling for the rest of the year.

John... read more