Differential Wanted!!

[Guy]

Has anyone got a differential knocking around that they don't want?

I have now fitted two and both have been U/S on fit. I'm getting pretty good at it now, and have got removed and refitted the sub frame assy. in about 2 1/2 hours, but I am getting a bit dispondent over it all now. Bespoke auto developments have supplied the diffs (ex MGR bankrupt stock) and they have been more than helpfull, but I am still without a servicable diif and therfore car. Can anyone help?

[Silver One]

Has anyone got a differential knocking around that they don't want?

I have now fitted two and both have been U/S on fit. I'm getting pretty good at it now, and have got removed and refitted the sub frame assy. in about 2 1/2 hours, but I am getting a bit dispondent over it all now. Bespoke auto developments have supplied the diffs (ex MGR bankrupt stock) and they have been more than helpfull, but I am still without a servicable diif and therfore car. Can anyone help?

Sorry to hear the problems you have had, I assume you have had refunds on the dud diffs you have been given? I'm not sure if the diff was a bespoke part for MG or available elsewhere as it was fitted to other makes/models?

[Phil]

No, it is not a bespoke part. It is the Dana Hydratrak LSD, fitted to lots of cars, including TVRs.

When mine was replaced, it was ordered direct from Australia where they are manufactured, but I would be surprised if Dreadnought couldn't help you in some way.

[pessling]

could try some tvr websites, although not sure on the cost of the units

[Blue Flash]

What about Pilsden Autos(Dorset) for a 2nd hand one? they are breaking one with around 30k on it don't know how much they would want for one, they are advertising on Ebay (front wiring loom ZT V8).

[pessling]

thats a good idea Paul. Very helpful on the phone when i brought the gear surround from them

[Tim]

What about Pilsden Autos(Dorset) for a 2nd hand one? they are breaking one with around 30k on it don't know how much they would want for one, they are advertising on Ebay (front wiring loom ZT V8).


thats a good idea Paul. Very helpful on the phone when i brought the gear surround from them

Went to them on Guys behalf today £520 + Vat :shock Anyone have a good idea on cost of these units?

[Guy]

Thank you Gents for all your advice, it's appreciated. £520 + VAT is a bit painful!:( :I will have to see. I am still sorting out things with bespoke at the moment. I will keep you posted.:confused:

[GeoffW]

The ones at Auto developments I saw looked new ???? or were these factory warranty returns like the first engine Martin Warner had ??
Perhaps we need to find a good alternative supplier for these, I had contacted the uk rep regarding technical issues I wonder if we could do a group buy ???

[GeoffW]

Heres some info from previous post,

Diff oil information from Dana
Ive had a reply from Dana regarding the diff and the recommended oils that can be used,
HI Geoff

Your below email has found its way to me via the USA and Australia.

It is good to learn that there are still enthusiasts for the MG ZT260, I was the DANA Australia?s UK engineer for the MG project, I also looked after: - TVR, Aston Martin, Marcos and still manage Morgan Motor Co account.

Answering your question is not straightforward, the limiting factor for the final drive unit is the amount of torque it experiences and how many times it sees high torque loadings. The torque is either the max engine torque multiplied by the transmission and final drive gear ratio or the ability of the tyres to transfer this torque to the road before slip occurs. The numbers of experiences of high torque loading is in the driving style and/or the load generated by the vehicle, i.e. trailer towing, hard acceleration, high speed driving, track days etc.

To sum up high torque loadings bend the gear teeth, as with any material it will only bend and recover so many times before reaching its full life at which point it will fail. In racecar applications, teams will often replace the gearsets based on a set life, thus avoiding a fail.

There are only three oils available in the UK that have full sign-off for the unit. These are:-
Mobil SHC80W140 id
Castrol SAF-XJ
Morris Lubricants Lodexol XFS 80W-140, this is my preferred option as it has high concentrations of friction modifier and is available if small pack sizes.

Rebuilding the units is not straight forward as the gear tooth contact Patten is not what most UK transmission re-builders are used to, However John Reid of Grantura Engineering http://www.readmanracing.co.uk
As TVR?s ex race team manager has a lot of experience with these units and carries many of the parts.

If you require any further information please call or email me.

Best regards
Mark Longmore
BPW Limited: Light & Agricultural Trailer Products Manager
Mobile +44 (0) 7795 838156
Tel +44 (0) 116 2816100
Fax +44 (0) 116 2816140

www.bpw.co.uk


I will make contact tomorrow ;)

[ColinE]

Has anyone got a differential knocking around that they don't want?

I have now fitted two and both have been U/S on fit. I'm getting pretty good at it now, and have got removed and refitted the sub frame assy. in about 2 1/2 hours, but I am getting a bit dispondent over it all now. Bespoke auto developments have supplied the diffs (ex MGR bankrupt stock) and they have been more than helpfull, but I am still without a servicable diif and therfore car. Can anyone help?


Given the situation with mine, this is not reassuring news

Hope for all our sakes you get this resolved asap

Best regards

Colin

[Tim]

The ones at Auto developments I saw looked new ???? or were these factory warranty returns like the first engine Martin Warner had ??
Perhaps we need to find a good alternative supplier for these, I had contacted the uk rep regarding technical issues I wonder if we could do a group buy ???


Depending on price we could buy two or three, one could stay with Phil up north and one with either me or Justin in the midlands & south. Boils down to cost if we blow our bunce on two or three high cost items we would need to build up the reserves again. Where do you stop props/subframes/engines?

Perhaps the best way is to identify 'friendlies' where we can get our hands on the bits. In the long long term I would be trying to get MGOC to position themselves to cater for our needs like they do for the classics.

[scooter]

Thes diffs are very robust and give very little trouble. What has been the problem that you have found with the units that you have fitted? I find it very strange that you have had all this trouble are you sure that its the diff that is the problem. Call me by phone.

[ColinE]

Depending on price we could buy two or three, one could stay with Phil up north and one with either me or Justin in the midlands & south. Boils down to cost if we blow our bunce on two or three high cost items we would need to build up the reserves again. Where do you stop props/subframes/engines?

Perhaps the best way is to identify 'friendlies' where we can get our hands on the bits. In the long long term I would be trying to get MGOC to position themselves to cater for our needs like they do for the classics.


I agree with identifying friendlies and trying to secure more support from the MGOC, especially when seeing ads in Enjoying MG that state ' We stock all MG parts' - something that is clearly not true.

[GeoffW]

I Had a chat with Mark Longmore today, ha cannot supply new diffs but do not worry if yours needs fixing, the chap at Grantura Engineering is the main man in the country for the repair of these, he rebuilds them as standard and with different ratios etc. for Morgan and Marcos ( whom they still supply ) TVR's etc.,
they were the same as ours apart from the ratios and parts will always be plentiful

The oil is critical in these, only 3 makes can be used ( see previous post) they spent £ 25000 signing off these oils, many others were tested but failed, the diff is robust but you can get problems if repeated ( 25 or so ) 0- 60 runs are carried out as they get hot and the oil takes a pasting with little free flow of air, if you do track days change regularly .

as for the ones that came from the factory Mark Longmore had a look at these as the receivers wanted them to buy them back !! there were 30 or so but some had appeared to have been dropped so they backed off

When these diffs were new an additive was added that contained phosphate to help run them in, this should have been changed at 1000m ( has yours been changed ?? ) then any swarf ect gets changed and you can then leave it in for 60K miles

Mark sees many cases where so say specialist gearbox & diff repair centres
try to repair and set these up and get it wrong, also using other oils that are good in other aplications and tell you marvelous things on the label but not good for our cars, Dreadnought also sell the correct oil I believe.

[GeoffW]

Tim, just realised the last post should really be in the Engine / G Box section
is it possible to place it in there as well ???

[ColinE]

Dreadnought also sell the correct oil I believe.


Indeed they do, changed mine and it made a big difference, took my Dad out in mine at the weekend and he noticed it was better

[Guy]

My 260 is back on the road!

With many thanks to Ian and his staff at Bespoke Auto Developments, I have a new and serviceable diff fitted to my car. Now for the running in process (something I am sure most of our cars never experienced!!) according to the MG Rover supplement manual for the 260, the cars diff should be run in over 500KM (312 miles in English) and speed should not exceed 100 KMPH (62.5 MPH) and a constant speed and max revs should be avoided. Now convince me that our cars received that treatment when new!:rolleyes:

[ColinE]

So are you taking bookings for rear subframe overhauls??? :D

Glad to hear you are back on the road

[colintf]

My 260 is back on the road!

With many thanks to Ian and his staff at Bespoke Auto Developments, I have a new and serviceable diff fitted to my car. Now for the running in process (something I am sure most of our cars never experienced!!) according to the MG Rover supplement manual for the 260, the cars diff should be run in over 500KM (312 miles in English) and speed should not exceed 100 KMPH (62.5 MPH) and a constant speed and max revs should be avoided. Now convince me that our cars received that treatment when new!:rolleyes:

thats great news! So yours could be one of the very first to actually have it's Diff run in then?

:cool:

[Guy]

So are you taking bookings for rear subframe overhauls??? :D

Glad to hear you are back on the road


Well...... This time I lowered the whole "stuff up" assembly, and it took me about 40 minutes from start to finish. Re fitting took just over an hour!
I've done it several times now so practice makes perfect! ;)

[Blue Flash]

I for one think that its worthy putting on the record that credits due and a virtual "pat on the back"for tackling such a major undertaking especially on your drive single handed!,well done :toast.

[Guy]

I for one think that its worthy putting on the record that credits due and a virtual "pat on the back"for tackling such a major undertaking especially on your drive single handed!,well done :toast.


Thank you!

[pessling]

I see you still have the snapping version of the rear springs installed, excellent work makes the whole job look easy.

[Guy]

I see you still have the snapping version of the rear springs installed, excellent work makes the whole job look easy.


Apparently so, though these are still in one piece! :D

[pessling]

well practised in removing them so when it comes to replacing them be a quick mornings job.

[Martin Warner]

"My 260 is back on the road!"

Well done, I will keep my fingers crossed for some longevity out of the latest diff. I have been worrying about it ever since you bought me a pint at the Fairmile (well until I had finished the pint). All my theories were as miserable as I could possibly make them. I am sure your optimism will have got it sorted.

Regards

Martin