Rear Axle replacement for MG B

jimmy8 · Post by **jimmy8** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:19 pm

I've decided its time to swap my salisubry axle. I've got wheel arches on my b and want a wider axle that will fill them out, plus if the addition of a LSD would be great.
After some investigating the ford 8.8" axle as used in ranger and explorer models, seems popular with US guys. plus some versions come with tractionlok (lsd). However after looking at the gearing available all the different versions the most apropriate is 3.27, and thats only on one version which will make it hard to find, and still not ideal. The factory MG B V8 came with a 3.07 gearing and this is considered optimum.
I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions for an axle that would do the job preferably with an LSD and as near as possible correct gearing.
I am aware that with whatever axle it;ll need shortening and new driveshafts but id like to avoid regearing if possible.
I've heard the Sierra axle being talked about but would this be able to cope with the torque from a v8?

I'm running a rover 3.5, and am in the process of replacing the gearbox but most likely it will be an LT77 though id like an r380.

thanks.

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 1:53 pm

Jim,

Good to see you found us.

Obviously there are quite a few options as to rear axles and none of them are particularly cheap.

I assume you mean you have sebring arches, and they need at least 8" rim width and appropriate tyres to make it look right

The cheapest method would probably be to keep the salisbury tube axle and upgrade with a 3.07 or a 3.3 from a MGC if you can find one, the salisbury is quite strong and a road tuned 3.5 should not stress it too much, the weak points are the pin in the spider gears but if you swap in a Quaiffe thay cures that problem.

Wheel and tyre size will effect gearing so a 3.3 dif may be ideal, I have a gearing calculator I can e-mail you if it would be helpful, and you can play around with tyre sizes and ratio's.

Kevin.

Post by **Coops** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:37 pm

Kevin,
i have uploaded it here for you mate,
Final Drive Ratio Tool....

jimmy8 · Post by **jimmy8** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:57 pm

yeh, thanks Kevin. i was trying to find a british site for a while.

I've actually got on a set of arches from a Dodge Omni/Talbot Horizon. They're not quite as wide as the sebrings, but still need some filling out.

An MG C axle would be good as they are slightly wider, the problem is finding one. also itd probably mean saying goodbye to my LSD aspirations for the moment as i can't really splash the 500 or so for the quaife.
saying that if anyone did know of an mgc that was getting broken down, i probably would use the axle just or the added ease.

would you know of any other axles that have been used (preferably with an LSD). that i might easily find in a scrapyard? (i've sourced a few things from them in the past and it really help keep the cost down.)

as for the gearing calculator. thanks very much for the offer but i've already got one so i'll be ok.

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:16 pm

Jim,

I think your referring to the disc wheel axle being wider then the wire wheel axle, there is nothing to be gained over the standard B width axle by using a C axle.

I like the look of the dodge Omni ( Chrysler Horizon in the UK) flares they are much more sensible than the massive Sebring ones.

I did ask what size wheels and tyres?

Kevin.

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:32 pm

Rover SD1 is a commonly used one, pretty common and cheap

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:59 pm

I just scooped a great deal on a brand new dana 44 with LSD for 200 quid. It's only 42 inches wide (which is perfect for me, but maybe not what you need) and gearing is a bit lairy at 4.89 but if it's what you need the guy has 3 more left. Stud pattern is 5 on 5.5.

russell_ram · Post by **russell_ram** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:39 am

How about Reliant Scimitar axle. 2 different widths, SE5 and SE6 model. Already set up for a 4 bar and watts link, can be built with many ratios 2.88,3.07,3.31,3.54,3.77,4.11 etc. Don't hink you'll find a LSD as std in scimitar but the powerlok unit from a jaguar Independant unit fits.

Russ

jimmy8 · Post by **jimmy8** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:14 pm

cheers, definitaly got a few options. think i may just go for the sd1 axle and think about adding an LSD later.

kevin, at the minute im still running 15" miniltes with 185 bridgestones from my last b.

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:27 pm

jimmy8 wrote:cheers, definitaly got a few options. think i may just go for the sd1 axle and think about adding an LSD later.

kevin, at the minute im still running 15" miniltes with 185 bridgestones from my last b.

The SD1 axle is approx 10" wider than the B axle and has a five bolt pattern for the studs and will need the spring perches from the B axle welded on, so need quite a lot of work to make it fit. You also need the shorter extension from the diff cover from a TR7.

I have a SD1 axle in my car which effectively came for free or I wouldn't have used it but it does have the 3.08/1 diff ratio which makes 1st gear on the LT77 useful to 40MPH and 70MPH in 5th is apperox 2300 RPM which is great for economy, when I had the 200+ BHP 3.5 engine I could get 30+ MPG on the motorway.

What year is your car, if 75 or later you will need to think about rear springs.

Kevin.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:05 am

Why dont you buy a reconditioned Salisbury axle with the 3.07:1 V8 ratio. You can get them delivered to your door for £580 notes from the Bee Hive. Outright purchase, no exchange.
My mates arrived yesterday.

Perry

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:00 am

Perry,

That a very good deal from B Hive.
you'd spend more than that modding a axle.

Kevin

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:14 pm

Volvo 240 axles no good for you? by all accounts

And why not the Capri and Cortina axles being on a short list - the 3.0L and 2.8is are 3.08 ratio's - Cortina axles are higher ratio but will take the Capri internals.

Andrew

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:53 pm

Darkspeed wrote:Volvo 240 axles no good for you? by all accounts

And why not the Capri and Cortina axles being on a short list - the 3.0L and 2.8is are 3.08 ratio's - Cortina axles are higher ratio but will take the Capri internals.

Andrew

Volvo axles are good and strong, find a 730Turbo and you should get a LSD as well,
All Cortina axles are not the same!!!
Anything from a can be a English, Koln or Atlas, Mk3/4/5 used all 3 versions, 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 all use the smaller standard axle and will not take the inernals from a Capri, Estates and V6 cortinas have the bigger HD axle which will take the capri internals,
Capri axles also came in 2 versions, being the English and the Atlas, Atlas was only found in V6 capris, and the Mk1 was the narrowest, and the 2.8i was the only LSD and not fitted to all models,
English axles can be easily identified as they have a front loading diff .
BL axles. There is a whole family of axles that are similar to the SDi/TR7, mostly in lihght comercials, sherpa and J4 , but also in the Westminister, these were drag racers favorates over here as they are almost unbreakable.
I am somewhat confused to why you need a wider axle???, is not the object of fitting arches is to enable the fitment of wider wheels and tires??.
Have you thought about contacting Curries in the states,
http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestor ... 5QodHTJUFg
They can build a axle to your spec, and a 8" and not the 8.8 would probably suit your needs better.
Mk2 jag also springs to mind, fit a later powerloc diff from a IRS and you will have an axle that is good and strong with a wide choice of ratios, and I dont think its impossible to remove the hubs and get them redrilled to suit your PCD either,

jimmy8 · Post by **jimmy8** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:38 pm

cheers, a lot of different ideas. may just go with the salisbury axle after all, but if i can sort the jag setup for a good price that would seem the best.+