Loose nut in diff

[73stagman]

Thanks Mike,

Yep, I realise that the pinion comes out where the C&P are, but I just wondered if I could get just the bearing and spacer out from the front of the diff.




Julian

I think in theory you should be able to extract just the bearing and spacer but in reality when you over collapse the spacer it squeezes quite tightly to the pinion shaft. So I think you will need to remove the carrier from the diff case and then the pinion which will leave the outer race of the bearing behind the seal abd the inner race and spacer attached to the pinion shaft which will then have to be removed with a drift or bearing puller. HOWEVER try before you go to the trouble of removing the carrier. If you remove the carrier you MUST keep the outer bearing races and their shims together in order to replace them in exactly the same place as they come out unless you replace the bearings as well then ignore the above!
As some one else has said, you cab easilly remove the carrier assembly from the case without using a spreader but it takes some determination to put it back! Dont damage those fragile shims!

PS I cant find any photos of the plug I fitted to the diff but I will go get a piccy of the plug from the outside and then describe what I did. If you do end up with the carrier assembly out of the diff case you have a great opportunity to do this simple drilling and tapping job. I did mine whilst just the rear cover was off!

I also re inforced the extension housing whilst I was at it and have plenty pics of that but there is already plenty of pics on here for that typically!

[Mike Stevens]

Julian,

I have a 'few' old diffs here - from big saloons - that are basically scrap as they have run out of oil and the CWP teeth have 'picked up'. If you wanted one to play with/practice first you'd be welcome. The only problem is getting one to you. As you know, they are a bit heavy!

Cheers,
Mike.

[DJT]

Julian,

I have a 'few' old diffs here - from big saloons - that are basically scrap as they have run out of oil and the CWP teeth have 'picked up'. If you wanted one to play with/practice first you'd be welcome. The only problem is getting one to you. As you know, they are a bit heavy!

Cheers,
Mike.

I've got a couple too, Julian, if this is closer for you. One is a standard 3.7:1 with a couple of teeth missing which you are welcome to. Glenn (seaking) is coming down this way on Saturday if it's any help?

[jleyton]

You guys are brilliant - thanks so much

Mike and Dave, that's a great idea to 'play round' with one first of all and in fact Sam (staginhiding) had rung and offered me an old diff to play with as well. As he's a lot closer I'll take him up on his offer but I'm really grateful to you both for your offers.

Neil, that's interesting. In fact maybe I'm not quite as dumb as I may seem as I had only just started tightening up the nut (as suggested by Mike Stevens) and I guess I'd got to around 30 ft lbs. I've now slackened it off, initially to the point where the pinion was slack, followed by gentle tightening and I'm at the point where it feels just as it did before I started, but the nut isn't loose any more.

Could I, just possibly, have got away with it ?? Somehow I rather doubt it, but I thought it might be worth asking the question. Any thoughts anybody ?

Cheers

Julian

Ps Thanks Neil, I would be interested in seeing your pics of the drain plug. Don't worry about the extension housing - it was fitting one of those that started me all off on this

[DJT]

No problem Julian. The offer is there if you need it. Good luck.

[flying farmer]

IIRC the spacer can be changed without stripping the diff provided you can get the front bearing out. Sometimes they will virtually drop out, especially if you gently tap the pinion shaft sideways and let the taper on the bearings do the pushing.

Maybe I have been lucky but I havent ever found the collapsible spacer to stick to the pinion shaft. Worth a try before stripping it down.

Neil

[jleyton]

Thanks Neil,

Let's hope I'm as lucky as you've been.

Cheers

Julian

[Mike Stevens]

Hi Julian,

If you consider that the collapsible spacer is to take out the play in the bearings (and to provide some preload), if the nut has tightened such that there is no play (I think you'll feel it OK) and that the pinion is not stuck solid but needs a little bit of effort to move it, you may have got away with it.

It must be worth making up something to measure the torque required to move the pinion - remembering that the crownwheel is still in mesh - and seeing if it's in the right ballpark. If not, you'll still need this tool to do it 'properly'.

After all, it can't be worse than it was with the loose nut - can it?

If I can help with any of the other bits I have - just ask.

Cheers,
Mike.

[jleyton]

Thanks Mike,

Sorry for not responding earlier but I've been laid low by an extreme case of labyrintitis - to the extent that just opening my eyes made me throw up Feeling quite a bit better today but it'll be a few days before I get back on my diff.

Thanks a lot for your thoughts and advice.

Cheets

Julian

[Mike Stevens]

Sorry to hear that Julian. I wouldn't worry about the diff - it'll still be there when you feel better!

I hope you feel better soon.

Cheers,
Mike.