Diff shims

[sujitroy]

I'm trying to get rid of the slop in my diff. I really need no. 54 shims for the planetary gears which seem to be unobtainable. I got no. 56 shims but they are too thick. I have new brass sun gear shims which are both .048. I'm thinking if I can increase the gap between sun gears and put in the 56 shims, I plan to use one use 1 new brass sun gear shim and an old sun gear shim that I have. Has anyone gone down this route?
The sun gear shims I have are on the upper limit as measured them both with ball bearings and they both measured 0.057. What are my chances of getting no. 56 shims on the lower limit? Does anyone know if TD Fitchett sell shims?
Sujit

[richardthestag]

I would rather hope that TD Fitchett would know. Go on drop them a line, they wont bite

[trunt]

Just an idea but you could make the flat sunwheel shims a bit thinner by wet and drying them on a sheet of glass.. that would provide the extra space for the 0.56 cupped ones.. maybe experiment with the old shims?

Has anyone actually done that?

[jbuckl]

Usually possible to make thinner.
other way more tricky

[sujitroy]

i reinvestigated this last night. 1 new brass sun gear shim measured 0.048 and the other measured 0.049. I used some old shims which both measured 0.048. The 56 shims are now in. The rebuild continues.
Sujit

[sujitroy]

I would rather hope that TD Fitchett would know. Go on drop them a line, they wont bite

Since I'm awake early today I did call TD Fitchett. They don't sell shims and they don't make new ones. If you have a diff that need repairing, they use old shims but use the best of the lot. Maybe someone can convince Chris WItor to get into shim business. I'm sure he would know exactly what to do.
Sujit

[KOY 23]

Chris’s number is +44 (0)1749 678152 in case you wake early again.

[richardthestag]

https://www.chriswitor.com/contact.php

in case you don't rise too early.

Also any decent machine shop should be able to help you out. especially if you have an existing item that they can replicate and the thickness you are looking for

[sujitroy]

considering the TR6 uses the same shims and was sold in thousands. I'm surprised no one is making them.

[thebadleys]

The original parts catalogue lists the available shims as shown, .053 - .055, the next size are shown as .057 - .059 so no .054 were available. Rimmers show a range as "In Stock"

I have one stamped .052 ! and a .056 Shims.jpg

Screenshot 2021-04-08 at 19.39.43.png



Screenshot 2021-04-08 at 19.42.18.png