Semi helical vs S/C final drives.

[love machine]

I was reading some old stuff about gearboxes and BDA Conversions. JK used to make SC final drives down to 2.76:1 which I thought was nice. I always wondered why the only SC ones made are 3.7 and the rest are semi helical. I was considering the forces involved, looked at the diff bearings and the helices of the gears (input, main, pinion) and noticed the directions. It can't be good. Despite having SC drop gears and main gears, the old pinion is still chucking a huge thrust at all the bearings. I reckon this is a waste of power and also not good for wear.....

So, what to do, I want to get a 3.2 CWP cut for an LSD (and you can) and it would be cheaper to get it done SC than semi helical. I figure that people like MED, KAD, etc would use a SC item if there wasn't a hidden catch. Do they make SC drops sound quiet? Does the diff assembly slop around too much? I'm curious.

Noise is not a snag as the car is an earplugs job anyway

[love machine]

Intersting points. I would have thought the same was due for drop gears being even smaller and having less contact. Hmmmm.

I'll compare prices. I image my cog cutter man is a lot cheaper than mini spares, etc. I'll have a chat with my engineering chum.

Makes you think about double helical gears. Hmmmm.

[love machine]

I'm surprised they aren't nitrided. Hmmmmm.

The pinions I have taken out of my engines have been horribly worn.