Rear bolt threads on GKN diff

[dnb]

Does anyone know if there's enough metal in the diff casting to take the M8 bolts out to M10. 3 out of 4 of mine have pulled all the thread out! I haven't had time to drop the diff out yet.

I would use timeserts, but they aren't really long enough to put sensible sized bolts in.

[clive f]

is it the thickness you are worried about or the hole position in relation to the endge of the casing dave?
as you probably know if you open it up to m10 then you really want the thickness to be a minimum of 10mm thick, and you`ll need a 8.5mm taping drill, I`ve got it all here if you need to borrow it, as for the hole you wouldn`t want the edge of the hole any less than 5mm from the edge of the casing in an ideal world, but being Tvr its probably right on the edge anyway

[tvralfagtv6]

good luck, let us know how easy the diff is to get out I have heard differing stories.

[DarkMatter]

I don't know the answer to your question, but was wondering whether there is an imperial size you can use (e.g. 3/8 UNF) which might be slightly bigger than M8 but smaller then M10?

[dnb]

Thanks for the offer of taps and things Clive

It took me under an hour to remove the diff. No major dramas.

The inner pair of bolt holes have plenty of metal, so were drilled and tapped to the next size up.
However, the outer pair are as Clive says, right on the edge. So they were helicoiled instead.