How much backlash on a Quaife ATB?
Discussion
Just had my Elise in the air, which is fitted with a Quaife ATB, and rocking one rear wheel reveals quite a slice of backlash in the differential. I know from my memory of working on the Mk1 Focus RS project the ATB always gave us driveability shunt issues because of greater than normal backlash, but how much is new/normal/worn-out?
Just wunnerin'. Any Quaife experience out there care to comment?
Just wunnerin'. Any Quaife experience out there care to comment?
Depends^^^^
I assume you've held one wheel still and then wiggled the other side wheel back and forth, and can feel "play" between them in that fashion etc?
The quaife diff is torque biasing from cross axle worm gears iirc. They generate a thrust load as they turn (only turn when cross axle speed differential exists) and run into "pads" on the end of the worms that generates a damping torque. That is how the diff acts to build a cross axle torque bias. Now, assuming those pads and worms can wear, thenhow much play is too much? er pass! Have you asked Quaife??
(i don't think i ever fondled an RS's front axle in such a manner btw ;-)
I assume you've held one wheel still and then wiggled the other side wheel back and forth, and can feel "play" between them in that fashion etc?
The quaife diff is torque biasing from cross axle worm gears iirc. They generate a thrust load as they turn (only turn when cross axle speed differential exists) and run into "pads" on the end of the worms that generates a damping torque. That is how the diff acts to build a cross axle torque bias. Now, assuming those pads and worms can wear, thenhow much play is too much? er pass! Have you asked Quaife??
(i don't think i ever fondled an RS's front axle in such a manner btw ;-)
Yeah, you've got my technique spot on, Max, and shame you missed out on the fondling of RS axles, although I believe you can still fondle the wheels. 
stevie, backlash is a generic term for the clearance in rotating mechanisms. Sure, there is some in the crownwheel/pinion, but if you have a look at the construction of the ATB diff, you'll see that the worm gears can move laterally as well as radially outwards, since there is also radial clearance in the pockets in which they sit.
And no, I haven't been in contact with Quaife yet. It only came from the results of an oil and filter change last night when the orange arse was in the air, wheels dangling.
stevie, backlash is a generic term for the clearance in rotating mechanisms. Sure, there is some in the crownwheel/pinion, but if you have a look at the construction of the ATB diff, you'll see that the worm gears can move laterally as well as radially outwards, since there is also radial clearance in the pockets in which they sit.
And no, I haven't been in contact with Quaife yet. It only came from the results of an oil and filter change last night when the orange arse was in the air, wheels dangling.
I have Quaife atbs in my Capri and 2 of my Mondeos(18 inch wheel,MTX75 trans)there is around 20-25 mm of movement(at the tread)before any movement s noticed at the other wheel on both,one is 200 miles old and the other has done 26,000.
The Capri(atlas)has a little less movement (17 inch wheels).
The Capri(atlas)has a little less movement (17 inch wheels).
Same as Shoehorn. I had a Quaife ATB in my Corrado for well over 100K daily miles and the backlash never got worse. The components Mr Torque mentioned would therefore appear to wear at a negligible rate.
I assume you are taking into account any 'play' in your inner / outer CVs, shafts etc?
I assume you are taking into account any 'play' in your inner / outer CVs, shafts etc?
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