P5 Mk IIc Problem

[dmaxwell]

Well, last Wednesday, on my way home from work, the car started making a loud scraping noise and would not go forward though the engine was running fine. I thought perhaps that the clutch disc had gone to pieces. Got towed home and when I pulled the transmission and clutch, it all looked good. Thats when I checked the differential and found it was the problem. When I pulled the left side axle from the housing, I found that the shaft had moved outward, causing the splines to disengage from the differential. It appears to have moved with the bearing staying where it should! The differental is full of metal shavings from the axle shaft and the splines on the shaft appears to be very worn. Looks like I will need a replacement differential and axle shaft (the short one). Due the weight and probable shipping costs from the Mother Country, I've put a note out to the Rover Club of North America (I think that is what it is called) about the parts I need. Will keep you informed how it goes.

David Maxwell
California

[Phil Nottingham]

Bad luck - Do I understand you in that the bearing collar has loosened on the half shaft?  Has the bearing been replaced recently and the old collar reused or wrongly fitted?

[dmaxwell]

This was the original bearing on the original shaft! The fact that it lasted 63 years is a good sign to me. I had the other side bearing replaced last year with the kit from Wadhams and it's been fine.

David
California

[Phil Nottingham]

I have never heard of one coming loose in such a long service. Perhaps the bearing semi-seized and overheated?