How to weld a diff up?
Discussion
I did this once to benchmark potential NVH improvements from a 'zero' backlash differential.
We removed the plastic shims between the side gears & diff carrier and inserted the output shafts to peg the differential gears in place. We then brazed the gears in place - tacked them first and then finished the job off.
You need to go this route because the diff housing (i.e. the part the crownwheel bolts to) is often a casting and the gears are a case hardened steel. This makes a good weld joint difficult to do right without further problems.
We then used new bearings & the unit worked very well. I wouldn't recommend for use on the road but on a track it was superb.
We removed the plastic shims between the side gears & diff carrier and inserted the output shafts to peg the differential gears in place. We then brazed the gears in place - tacked them first and then finished the job off.
You need to go this route because the diff housing (i.e. the part the crownwheel bolts to) is often a casting and the gears are a case hardened steel. This makes a good weld joint difficult to do right without further problems.
We then used new bearings & the unit worked very well. I wouldn't recommend for use on the road but on a track it was superb.
300bhp/ton said:
Instead of spending £1000 for an LSD what options are there to weld a diff up? I know people do it for drifting and this would be a similar purpose.
But which bit do I weld?
Thanks.
Is it for an autograss or drift car ? I don't see how you can replace an LSD with a Solid rear ? They are quite different.But which bit do I weld?
Thanks.
stevieturbo said:
300bhp/ton said:
Instead of spending £1000 for an LSD what options are there to weld a diff up? I know people do it for drifting and this would be a similar purpose.
But which bit do I weld?
Thanks.
Is it for an autograss or drift car ? I don't see how you can replace an LSD with a Solid rear ? They are quite different.But which bit do I weld?
Thanks.
Normally I'd have thought such an idea rather daft. But I've read a couple of times of people doing it with positive results. Most recent was a copy of Retro Car where someone had an old 1980's Toyota or something with a 200SX motor in it. They claimed the diff had been welded and actually worked rather well and was a lot of fun. Of course they may have been lying though.
Having had the misfortune of trying a spool in mine for a few months, I can safely say there is f
k all good about a solid rear. It drives crap, manoeuvers worse, understeers like fk, scrubs front tyres. In fact for anything that sees the road I defy anyone to justify such a thing. Plus its also illegal.
Removing it and fitting an LSD actually transformed me from hating getting into the car to enjoying it again.
k all good about a solid rear. It drives crap, manoeuvers worse, understeers like fk, scrubs front tyres. In fact for anything that sees the road I defy anyone to justify such a thing. Plus its also illegal.Removing it and fitting an LSD actually transformed me from hating getting into the car to enjoying it again.
You won't have any trouble at all driving with a welded diff.*
On the road in normal driving conditions it'll be bloody awful, uncontrollable, scrub tyres and eat half shafts!
- Providing you always drive in an absolutely perfect straight line on hard surfaces or always drive on slippery surfaces.
On the road in normal driving conditions it'll be bloody awful, uncontrollable, scrub tyres and eat half shafts!
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