Differential Repair/ Replacement

Differential Repair/ Replacement

Author
Discussion

RAC1960

Original Poster:

3 posts

12 months

Thursday 11th May 2023
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Broke the rear end of my 1700 Sprint Classic with the Morris Marina/ Ital differential.
I'm in the States and can find absolutely nothing I need to get this thing back on the road.
Does anybody have a lead on parts/ supplies, or a rearend that can be used as a substitute?
Thanks!

Blue 7

157 posts

174 months

Thursday 11th May 2023
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Do you know what exactly has broken? What are the symptoms?

You could try Redline Components, they’re a wealth of knowledge on Sevens of all ages. I found Rimmer Bros very useful too, when I had a Seven with an Ital axle. They stock parts for various cars from the British Leyland era.

After a number of half shaft breakages, I fitted uprated shafts, hubs & bearings from a company called Rakeway. They were brilliant & I didn’t have any more problems after fitting them. I’m not sure if they still make the uprated parts though. A few people on the Caterham Facebook groups have said they’re not making them any more.

I have a crown wheel & pinion that I bought as a spare. I don’t need it any more, as I bought a dedion car a few years ago.

Edited to add, as a popular alternative people often fit a Ford Escort axle, the axle Caterham used before they switched to the Morris Ital axle. I believe chassis modifications are required to make it fit, however & the hubs have a different pcd, so you may have to change the front hubs too, in order to fit matching wheels.

Edited by Blue 7 on Thursday 11th May 21:09

BertBert

19,081 posts

212 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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I've got an open diff going spare from when I fitted an ATB if that helps?

RAC1960

Original Poster:

3 posts

12 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
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Thanks to you both,
I am interested in the parts you have going spare, if nothing else to have on hand.
I haven't been able to pull the rear end yet, creating space. When it went, I got a loud clang and could feel it through the seat as I nursed her the few blocks home. It's possible the left half shaft let go, everything is quiet when I manually spin the wheels and both turn nicely when I turn the right, the left seems a bit sloppy before engaging. On jack stands and running, quite a racket, right wheel spins, left just jerks around.

RAC1960

Original Poster:

3 posts

12 months

Friday 7th July 2023
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I got the rear end out, and the differential is toast, ring, pinion, spiders.
Also would like to replace the left half shaft as a previous owner welded the bearing in place (not kidding).
In addition to that, new wheel bearings and new brake cylinders and shoes.

Hawkshaw

161 posts

36 months

Friday 7th July 2023
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The Marina axle has Triumph ancestry, going back to the Standard 10. It has many parts in common with the Herald/Spitfire range, and the diff and brakes from these will fit straight into the Marina casing.

As said, the Escort axle can be fitted to a long cockpit chassis if you are prepared to modify the bulkhead/tunnel area to clear the diff nose.

Edited by Hawkshaw on Friday 7th July 19:05


Edited by Hawkshaw on Friday 7th July 19:10

BertBert

19,081 posts

212 months

Saturday 8th July 2023
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If you want the open diff that came out of mine happy to ship at cost (of shipping)

Eugene7

739 posts

195 months

Saturday 8th July 2023
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BertBert - I'd be interested in your old open diff, if it's still available?
Happy to pay shipping costs (I'm UK).

BertBert

19,081 posts

212 months

Monday 10th July 2023
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Eugene7 said:
BertBert - I'd be interested in your old open diff, if it's still available?
Happy to pay shipping costs (I'm UK).
Yes, UK Eugene7. I'll just wait to check that Hawkshaw doesn't want it having offered it to him first

Hawkshaw

161 posts

36 months

Monday 10th July 2023
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BertBert said:
Yes, UK Eugene7. I'll just wait to check that Hawkshaw doesn't want it having offered it to him first
Not me - I don't want it, I was just making a comment! But thank you anyway.

BertBert

19,081 posts

212 months

Monday 10th July 2023
quotequote all
Eugene7 said:
BertBert - I'd be interested in your old open diff, if it's still available?
Happy to pay shipping costs (I'm UK).
It's all yours/ Where in the country are you?

Eugene7

739 posts

195 months

Saturday 15th July 2023
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Sorry - not been back for a bit.
UK based. Near Cambridge.
I'll message you directly.