GKN diff check and possible re-build

[The AJP Griff]

I've never been to impressed with the amount of noise my GKN diff makes.It was re-built by a gearbox/diff specialist,but as i'm not sure how much noise is supposed to be normal,i'd like to check it out.I'll be taking the body off the chassis very soon,so it seems like it's not worth missing the opportunity to check it out.What things are most likely to increase noise level in a diff?I'm gussing its things like backlash and bearings?How easy is it to check these things out,without 'having' to re-build the diff?
Would also appreciate anyones experiences of doing a diff re-build for the first time

[spend]

Apart from Bernie, there is also Dave Porter Mike, but I've not noticed him around for a while? IIRC he had various spares and was willing to offer advice to 'tinkerers', so might be worth mailing him.

I do have a spare if you want a play

[clive f]

Hi Mike, Dave, aka dnb, is doing his at this very moment, drop him a line.

[The AJP Griff]

clive f said:

Hi Mike, Dave, aka dnb, is doing his at this very moment, drop him a line.

Cheers mate,Mr Spend has given me a very good tip about checking the poly bushes,so before i bother anyone i'll have a look there firstAre you at home at the mo.?

[clive f]

just on the T break, will be okay after 9pm.

[The AJP Griff]

clive f said:

just on the T break, will be okay after 9pm.

Youre always on a tea break!

okey dokey

[AntonyJ]

Also John Reid, in Blackpool. He did mine last December.

[dnb]

I have a mechanic friend over here who's doing the tricky bits of my diff rebuild, including replacing the collapsable spacer with a machined solid one. He's spotted a few things that were overlooked the last time, so this hints at why the failure happened...

[rigga]

Are all diffs noisy to a greater or lesser degree? having never driven another Griff other than my own,im unsure as to whether its average,normal or what,or if its worse than acceptable..... must say though that after a few miles and its warm i dont notice it,very noticable whine from first off though....... have noticed the odd comment on here that "they are all like that"

[Bluebottle]

dnb said:

I have a mechanic friend over here who's doing the tricky bits of my diff rebuild, including replacing the collapsable spacer with a machined solid one. He's spotted a few things that were overlooked the last time, so this hints at why the failure happened...

When you say "collapsable spacer" do you mean the cone washers at each end of the lsd that act to transfer the torque?

[Slacey]

rigga said:

Are all diffs noisy to a greater or lesser degree? having never driven another Griff other than my own,im unsure as to whether its average,normal or what,or if its worse than acceptable..... must say though that after a few miles and its warm i dont notice it,very noticable whine from first off though....... have noticed the odd comment on here that "they are all like that"

Mine is silent. Whined slightly before a rebuild but nothing that was too noticeable even then.

[rev-erend]

Bluebottle said:

dnb said:

I have a mechanic friend over here who's doing the tricky bits of my diff rebuild, including replacing the collapsable spacer with a machined solid one. He's spotted a few things that were overlooked the last time, so this hints at why the failure happened...

When you say "collapsable spacer" do you mean the cone washers at each end of the lsd that act to transfer the torque?

I thought the collapsable spacer was at the front.. (inside) but behind where the prop flange plate meet up..

[spend]

Go and have a look at the Maser workshop manual, there is a link for it on here somewhere.

[footnote]I do keep copies in case they ever go AWOL [footnote]

[Dave PORTER]

I, m still here spend ...with your fusebox ! GKN,s no problem...still have many diffs and spares.

[spend]

Hey, keep it quiet Dave, I am comforted that there is a supply of GKN's hidden away Was I correct in recalling that you had a stock of service parts as well?

[dnb]

rev-erend said:

I thought the collapsable spacer was at the front.. (inside) but behind where the prop flange plate meet up..

That's the one. Mine came out looking a little worse for wear.

[That Daddy]

dnb said:

rev-erend said:

I thought the collapsable spacer was at the front.. (inside) but behind where the prop flange plate meet up..

That's the one. Mine came out looking a little worse for wear.

The collapsible spacer was always a crap idea,even Ford stopped using them on its rear wheel drive cars axles and reverted back to a solid measured spacer,and my soon to be rebuilt spare GKN diff will be getting the later when i get the time to put it all back together

Edited by That Daddy on Saturday 8th November 09:49

[cantus]

Dave PORTER said:

I, m still here spend ...with your fusebox ! GKN,s no problem...still have many diffs and spares.

Dave , YHM