REAR DIFF WRECKED

[willie j.]

Happy new year all. on the way home last week, pulled away from the traffic lights heard and felt a strange brief grinding from the arse end , only for a couple of seconds. Got home parked up and had a look, diff fluid everywhere. SHAFT SEAL BLOWN???? NO!!! A semi cirular hole in the nearside of the casing. Recon diff arrived today. Anyone got any idea what has happened inside the housing?? Can't wait to get it off and opened up to find out. Best wishes to all Willie j.

 

[Nodge68]

Bearing collapse is possible. I've come across a diff where a crown wheel bolt came out. Once it's changed, strip the broken one down and post some pictures

 

[Dartmoor Navigator]

There have been some photos on here recently with similar circumstances... can't remember the specifics though.

 

[willie j.]

Where would I get new circlips for the driveshaft inner ends? I'll post some pics of the offending diff when I get it stripped down. Thanks for the replies guys. Best wishes Willie j

 

[willie j.]

Bearing collapse is possible. I've come across a diff where a crown wheel bolt came out. Once it's changed, strip the broken one down and post some pictures

That was my first thought too Nodge68. Never had any warning noises knocks or clunks just PHUT Then much profane language.

 

[Nodge68]

Where would I get new circlips for the driveshaft inner ends? I'll post some pics of the offending diff when I get it stripped down. Thanks for the replies guys. Best wishes Willie j

Just use the old circlips. They should be fine if intact and undamaged.

 

[willie j.]

Just use the old circlips. They should be fine if intact and undamaged.

Seems like a good idea Nodge68. I'll let you know how It goes. Best wishes Willie j

 

[willie j.]

Hello guys, long time no speak, I did take some pics when I dismantled the old dif. Lost them off my phone though. When I opened the old thing up the remaining fluid was like liquid aluminium, a crown wheel bolt had apparently for years been working loose and gradually cutting the casing. only the stud part was left, no head. Anyway all good after fitting the recon. Best wishes to all. Slight problem now with the 3 Amigos coming on and no brake lights. Problem solved now thanks to this wonderful forum. New brake pedal switch coming tomorrow. Best wishes to all. Willie

 

[Colthebrummie]

Were the crown wheel bolts not wired?

Col

 

[Nodge68]

Were the crown wheel bolts not wired?

Col

No wiring on FL1 diff, or any other production car diff I can think of tbh.

 

[willie j.]

No they're not wired Col.. Never seen a diff with wired crownwheel studs to be honest.

 

[Nodge68]

No they're not wired Col.. Never seen a diff with wired crownwheel studs to be honest.

The various bolts in the diff and many other components can be wired to prevent them undoing. It was a tried and tested method in days gone by. However with the advent of chemical locking compounds and pre-tensioned bolts, wire locking has been condemned to the mists of time.

 

[Colthebrummie]

The only reason I asked was because of a thread by Stretch, he shows pics of his diff rebuild and he has wired the bolts. At least I think it was Stretch.

Col

 

[willie j.]

The only reason I asked was because of a thread by Stretch, he shows pics of his diff rebuild and he has wired the bolts. At least I think it was Stretch.

Col

Very interesting. I've seen some things wire locked, mind you I haven't seen inside a huge number of diffs. Best wishes....Willie.