Centre-lock and four-stud rear axle differences

[Nick Farrow]

Hi Guys,

Are there any differences between the components (excluding obviously the hubs!) of the four-stud rear axle and the centre-lock rear axle? Specifically I'm talking about Series 3s and IVs. I know on MGBs the rear axle is different for each type of hub, but I'm unsure if this is a recurring theme on other cars.

Cheers
Nick

 

[moonstone SIV]

Hey Nick,

Did you mean the whole rear axle assembly or just the axle shaft? When I did the wire wheel conversion on my SIV the repro splined hubs simply took the place of the steel wheel hubs. The only extras required were 8 x 3/8? UNF bolts to retain the drum against the splined hub since the wires don't touch the drum.

Cheers, Lance.

 

[sunalp]

Hi Nick, As far as I know there is no difference in the axles as far as which hub is on them. There are different axles, with the number of splines being either course or fine being the difference there, but so long as you have the correct hubs for the axles, they will both fit. I converted my SIV from wires to bolt ons simply by switching the hubs.
Hope that helps!
Cheers!
Steve

 

[Nick Farrow]

Thanks guys, that's what I was hoping to hear! I have a leaky hub seal and the hub is refusing to budge (centre lock hub) and before I go putting it in a heavy duty press and potentially damaging the half-shaft I wanted to know if a 'normal' axle was the same as I know where there is an entire unit for sale should the worst come to the worst.

Cheers
Nick