Rear Axle Weights & other musings

[Moderator]

I can only speak to the tare weight question. The axle was sitting (balanced) directly on top of the scale. The scale was spaced off the concrete floor by an upside-down dolly, because without that platform the brake drums and/or propshaft flange would have been touching concrete.

[BlownMGB-V8]

I suppose I could weigh the housing and diff for both. Have to substitute some banjo end pieces to get close. But honestly I can't imagine where that 30-40lbs would come from.

Jim

[MGBV8]

I have read where people even said there was a 60 lb. difference.  I didn't buy that for even a second.

[MGBV8]

How can this be?

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/mgb-and-gt-forum.1/weight-of-banjo-vs-tube-salisbury-axles.4150673/

[BlownMGB-V8]

Think I'll have to disagree. According to my grain scale which has always been accurate, the banjo housing with brake plates and bearings but nothing else is 40lbs. The hogshead fully loaded is 29lbs. So 69lbs together.

The salisbury axle with the gears and diff but with about 3" of the ends sawed off is 77-1/2lbs. Add in the ends, backing plates, rear cover and bearings and it's going to be a bit over 90 lbs.

The late axles include a beefy flange instead of a plate so being generous give it about 3lbs each there and you're solidly in the 30-40lb range between the two and I can't imagine anywhere else the late axle can put on 20lbs. It just doesn't add up.

Jim

[MGBV8]

For a very long time, I have carried in my head, about 125# for the banjo & 165# for the salisbury.

On MGExp, two long time & highly regarded members, Steve S & Steve S. (Stephen Strange) both say there is a 60# difference. I have a hard time believing that is accurate.

The vintage racers certainly think there is a significant difference.

[BlownMGB-V8]

40lbs certainly is significant in a race car, especially as unsprung weight. But even if it wasn't, 40 lbs from a 2000lb vehicle? That's certainly going to make a difference on lap times I would think even if a very small one.

Jim