Wavetrac LSD replacement
Discussion
Hi folks,
Not long ago my 8's rear diff decided to s*** itself, although I've been known to have some fun (vid 1), with less than 40k on the clock I don't believe I've pushed the diff to the point of it failing from abuse alone, Jez (VE tuner / developer friend in Austalia) has pointed out it's a common fault over there and thoughts among a couple of owners I'm friends with on Facebook is that it may not have been filled properly from the factory to begin with.
Problem is now the damage is done (vids 2 and 3) and it needs replacing, but rather than just replace it for another ZF diff that's just gonna crap itself again I thought I'd go for a Wavetrac. After much investigation and emailing companies Jez and myself firmly concluded (with verification from Wavetrac themselves) that Wavetracs part code 57.309.140WK was compatible with Holden VEs (VXR8s) and subsequently I found one online for £800 (bargain but was a limited time discount).
That's all well and good, but now I've been made aware I'll need (cup) bearings for the LSD, possibly shims, seals etc. My question is has anyone fitted an alternative diff before and do they know how I can source these parts (preferably on short notice)?
Not long ago my 8's rear diff decided to s*** itself, although I've been known to have some fun (vid 1), with less than 40k on the clock I don't believe I've pushed the diff to the point of it failing from abuse alone, Jez (VE tuner / developer friend in Austalia) has pointed out it's a common fault over there and thoughts among a couple of owners I'm friends with on Facebook is that it may not have been filled properly from the factory to begin with.
Problem is now the damage is done (vids 2 and 3) and it needs replacing, but rather than just replace it for another ZF diff that's just gonna crap itself again I thought I'd go for a Wavetrac. After much investigation and emailing companies Jez and myself firmly concluded (with verification from Wavetrac themselves) that Wavetracs part code 57.309.140WK was compatible with Holden VEs (VXR8s) and subsequently I found one online for £800 (bargain but was a limited time discount).
That's all well and good, but now I've been made aware I'll need (cup) bearings for the LSD, possibly shims, seals etc. My question is has anyone fitted an alternative diff before and do they know how I can source these parts (preferably on short notice)?
You'll be able to get bearings etc from Moser Engineering in the US : not sure how quickly though....
If its just bearings then provided you can read the ref number, LM etc etc you may well find a local bearing factor will have or can get them,there are online catalogues to help such as http://www.bearingtrends.com/designations/easytabl...
FoxdieUK said:
I actually bought Brads (DJWilks) broken diff off him for spares, in the end he opted for an OEM diff that set him back 2 grand :/
Bart. If you bought his diff, why haven't you now got a spare?
I think it was Ringram that was talking about bigger Camaro diffs, but if you want to be back on the road ASAP, then I think a standard diff is the way you have to go too.
ARAF said:
Bart.
If you bought his diff, why haven't you now got a spare?
I think it was Ringram that was talking about bigger Camaro diffs, but if you want to be back on the road ASAP, then I think a standard diff is the way you have to go too.
Fixed If you bought his diff, why haven't you now got a spare?
I think it was Ringram that was talking about bigger Camaro diffs, but if you want to be back on the road ASAP, then I think a standard diff is the way you have to go too.
I'd hoped to buy his and, with the Wavetrac and mine, be able to build up a diff to drop in straight away. I didn't fancy spending 2 grand on a ZF diff that may just go again. This has all been a bit rushed and not thought out I admit, which is why I'm asking for help finding bearings in the UK.
Edited by FoxdieUK on Saturday 12th July 13:26
Found time to inspect Barts diff to assess if everything apart from the centre LSD and it's bearings can be reused, I believe the answer is yes but if people can state a valid reason why not please let me know.
(Click to play in new window)
Aldor, thanks I'll look at that now.
ARAF, nope but there's a company called Longbridge Gearboxes I'm going to phone up on Monday to see if they can help.
Meanwhile if anyone else has additional suggestions please let me know. Once I've collected all I need and can verify it builds a working diff I'll document everything in case anyone else needs to go down the same route
(Click to play in new window)
Aldor, thanks I'll look at that now.
ARAF, nope but there's a company called Longbridge Gearboxes I'm going to phone up on Monday to see if they can help.
Meanwhile if anyone else has additional suggestions please let me know. Once I've collected all I need and can verify it builds a working diff I'll document everything in case anyone else needs to go down the same route
FoxdieUK said:
Found time to inspect Barts diff to assess if everything apart from the centre LSD and it's bearings can be reused, I believe the answer is yes but if people can state a valid reason why not please let me know.
(Click to play in new window)
Aldor, thanks I'll look at that now.
ARAF, nope but there's a company called Longbridge Gearboxes I'm going to phone up on Monday to see if they can help.
Meanwhile if anyone else has additional suggestions please let me know. Once I've collected all I need and can verify it builds a working diff I'll document everything in case anyone else needs to go down the same route
i personally wouldnt reuse bearings in a diff which you know had issues(Click to play in new window)
Aldor, thanks I'll look at that now.
ARAF, nope but there's a company called Longbridge Gearboxes I'm going to phone up on Monday to see if they can help.
Meanwhile if anyone else has additional suggestions please let me know. Once I've collected all I need and can verify it builds a working diff I'll document everything in case anyone else needs to go down the same route
Im with gsd on the reuse of bearings, the inner race could be damaged for starters or the cage worn. Having said that I have seen old bearings reused and operate within their parameters, I cant see why you shouldn't be able to source the cups ,cones or both but I would advise against mixing brands though as a certain Swedish manufacturer often stated ,not all steels are equal. in Australia the favourites seemed to be skf, Timken and ntn, and when we make a gearbox for Pagani or indeed any of our customers we only use skf. that's not to say other makes aren't any good just that we stick with bearings that haven't let us down. little has changed in the bearing world for a long time and the advances in longevity are mostly down to better lubricants.
personally if I was changing one I would change them all, I'm not sure what the pinion run out tolerances are on mass produced diffs but that is something else I would be looking at or you could be setting yr self up for premature wear, though to be fair it takes some doing to bend one and work wise we are a bit anal about that sort of thing.
FoxdieUK said:
I actually bought Barts (DJWilks) broken diff off him for spares, in the end he opted for an OEM diff that set him back 2 grand :/
People never listen.. The Camaro diff is a direct replacement and costs about £800 with gears, diff and housing etc brand new.Not sure why you would want to pay 150% more for a weaker diff...?
Info for those who are unsure what Google is for
http://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-g8-2008-09-chevr...
http://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-g8-2008-09-chevr...
ringram said:
People never listen.. The Camaro diff is a direct replacement and costs about £800 with gears, diff and housing etc brand new.
Not sure why you would want to pay 150% more for a weaker diff...?
I understand your frustration but there was no solid readily available information on that (the search function is p*ss), sorry if that's wound you up bud (I get the frustration, I dealt with tuning questions on another club and it was always the same crap).Not sure why you would want to pay 150% more for a weaker diff...?
Are you saying that a Camaro diff is stronger than a regular diff with a Wavetrac? Or just stronger than the stock ZF diff?
Although I care about your answer, time wasn't on my side and I chose what I thought would be the strongest replacement for the stock diff (and capable of withstanding a lot more tomfoolery).
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