Sort-of-DIY GKN diff rebuild

[dnb]

I discovered the other week that the pinion bearings in the "a little sloppy".
So it's time for a rebuild.

I thought I'd have a go myself, so elisted the help of a local mechanic who builds and maintains group N rally cars as a hobby to keep an eye on proceedings.

We were both disapointed to find all 6 of the bearings to be "a little graunchy", but pleasantly surprised to find and a reusable crown wheel and pinion and Quiafe style ATB LSD innards I thought they were plated LSDs.

Photos to follow.

[spend]

Well ours comes out of a Maserati, not a common or garden Oz Vauxhall

[Griffith 500]

When I had the same problem with my diff, I found this link very useful.

http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri155-3.htm...


Richard

[tvralfagtv6]

How easy was the diff to get out? any tips or tricks to getting it out?

[That Daddy]

Well its an easy unit to pull apart,i have my spare in bits as we speak the 4 bearings are reasonable along with collapsible spacer and output shaft seals,but the front pinion oil seal cost is taking the p*ss still its still a cheap build and easy to set/up i purchased mine so i have a swapper on the ready,mines not as quiet as i think it could be cant comment on removal not done one yet.

Edited by That Daddy on Thursday 23 October 10:07

[dnb]

The collapsable spacer failed on mine, so it's being replaced with a machined shim.

[Ozstyle]

I've taken my diff out a couple of times, straight forward really. The unit is just a bit wider than the chassis rails it has to pass between, so it needs rotating to remove, just be careful, gravity helps it out and its 30 Kg. Getting it in is fun as it needs raising, rotating, pushed forward and generally wiggled around to get back into the diff cage.

Oz

[spend]

Mileage varies, there are early versions with significantly bigger fins on the rear which have to be shoved well forward to twist, and when level pushed back (the fins then wrap around the chassis tube!). I assume TVR had later ones shortened to make installation / removal easier

[steve-V8s]

Have done this a couple of times myself. Not really that challenging but a whole lot easier if you can borrow a lift rather than do it on axle stands.

[tvralfagtv6]

cheers I had a look at it when I was doing my gearbox and some of the bolts at the top looked to be a pain , Sounds like a job that if your forced to do it on axle stand it can be done but not pleasant. Tvr seem to have a thing about chassis bars around components, every where I go to put a ratchet there is a bar in the way .

[adam_rbts]

dnb said:

The collapsable spacer failed on mine, so it's being replaced with a machined shim.

Yeah that's what I ended up doing. Also saves the need for the silly torque to collapse the new spacer too..

That Daddy said:

..but the front pinion oil seal cost is taking the p*ss yikes..

I think the front oil seal ended up 1/3 of the total cost..!

[That Daddy]

That Daddy said:

..but the front pinion oil seal cost is taking the p*ss yikes..

I think the front oil seal ended up 1/3 of the total cost..!

I can relate to that got to organise my bearings and seals,i have a friendly transmission specialist that i have known for years so may see what they can do bearings & seals wise,he dont mind supplying just spares either am also changing the output shaft sealed bearings £7 each(common bearings)and will be re-using the retainers that the output seals bear on,cant see those retainers being available anymore never mind the circlips that secure the bearings into the case but wont be happy unless i can at least source the circlips for the outboard bearings.