Differential Unit Replacement

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13-01-2010, 06:10 PM
philthetorque

Differential Unit Replacement

I would just like to say a big hello to all menbers staff as I have just recently joined Two-Sixties and therefore new to this forum. :wave

I have a differential unit that whines and clunks and decided it was now time to replace the irritable whaling thing. I have acquired a new diff and need to know the quickest/easiest way of wiggling the unit away from the sub-frame without having to remove the whole subframe etc as explained in MGR CD workshop service proseedure - ref Rear Axle & Final Drive - if any you have this proceedure to hand, as you know these proceedures can be a little ambiguous.

I believe that from recent forums one or two of you have attempted to replace the unit or had it replaced for you and if you can offer some sound advise on this subject it would be much appreciated. Although I may not attempt this proceedure myself, I would like take your advise along to a garage friend of mine that would be more qualified with the right tools to do the job.

Thanks,

Phil.
13-01-2010, 07:00 PM
Tim

Guy has been the most recent and had to do his a few times as the first replacement was a duff unit. He'll be along to help I'm sure.

Welcome along Phil
13-01-2010, 07:20 PM
colintf

Hi Phil and welcome.

Good luck with the Diff

:cool:
13-01-2010, 07:53 PM
Herman

Here's the link to Guy's post, but as the pictures show, the sub has to be dropped.

https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...highlight=diff
13-01-2010, 08:22 PM
philthetorque

Ok, thanks for that guys, a start at least.
I notice from the pics in the posted link https://www.two-sixties.co.uk/mgoc26...highlight=diff that Guy virtually carried out a rear-end overhaul and obviously the diff was the main feature, so hopefully my actual diff proceedure wont be as comprehensive as Guy's. Look forward to Guy's imput when he arrives on the forum.

Phil.
14-01-2010, 10:00 AM
SVR

I replaced the diff without removing subframe.Have to remove dampers etc and a bit of a wiggle but it will come out.bear in mind it weighs nearly 30 kilos
14-01-2010, 11:57 AM
philthetorque

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVR

I replaced the diff without removing subframe.Have to remove dampers etc and a bit of a wiggle but it will come out.bear in mind it weighs nearly 30 kilos

How long did this take you, did you take it on yourself or with assistance?? I am going to have a couple of mechanics on this one, so they can break their backs at my expense. And when you say remove dampers are you refering to the ajoining from & rear support plates to where they are attached to the diff & s/frame. Thanks.
14-01-2010, 05:38 PM
SVR

Short yellow dampers on diff assembly and me and my mate done the job within 3 hours.Did have the use of a lift and a gearbox/diff hyd: support in the lifting and lowering.
14-01-2010, 10:50 PM
philthetorque

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVR

Short yellow dampers on diff assembly and me and my mate done the job within 3 hours.Did have the use of a lift and a gearbox/diff hyd: support in the lifting and lowering.

Appreciated, thanks. At least you saved the cost of parting with approx £200 through a garage - well done anyway.

Phil.
15-01-2010, 08:10 AM
scooter

The diff will come out without taking the sub frame out. As has been said before the unit weighs a lot and care has to be taken when removing it.The drive shaft bolts are put in with locktight and can be problem to remove without damaging the bolt heads. I would not attempt it unless you have a ramp or pit. The diff requires to be rotated to get it out and because of its weight it takes a least two people to remove it.
15-01-2010, 10:04 AM
philthetorque

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

The diff will come out without taking the sub frame out. As has been said before the unit weighs a lot and care has to be taken when removing it.The drive shaft bolts are put in with locktight and can be problem to remove without damaging the bolt heads. I would not attempt it unless you have a ramp or pit. The diff requires to be rotated to get it out and because of its weight it takes a least two people to remove it.

Thanks for the valueable advise, Scooter. I'm not going to attempt this myself or involve anyone else with me. It will be undertaken at a nearby garage and I can therefore inform the mechanics of what is required to from through experiences of this forum.
When you say it requires to be rotated, will this be fwds/back or right/left/ sideways rotatation? I guess a good spray of release agent (wd40 or similar) would help with the release of the coupled drives and obviously an application of loctite for the bolt threads when it is finally coupled? Thanks.

Phil.
15-01-2010, 11:24 AM
Herman

Probably also a good idea to mark the position of the shafts before removing to avoid any issues with vibration when assembling again
15-01-2010, 12:47 PM
philthetorque

Quote:

Originally Posted by VMax1000

Probably also a good idea to mark the position of the shafts before removing to avoid any issues with vibration when assembling again

That indeed is a very valid point, but had already anticipated it . Thanks for your thought.
18-01-2010, 04:27 PM
philthetorque

Differential Replaced - today

F.Y.I.
Differential replaced today in 2 1/2hrs @ £50/hr - no more clonks & clunks, appears to be a job well done. Not sure if the mechanic took the easiest route, but probably the shortest, by removing all drive and prop-shaft, Front & Rear Mounting plate bolts and finally manipulating the 30 kilo diff out of the Sub-frame.
The trick now is to be patient and meticulous with the running in period of 1500 miles with 1000mile oil drain-off and replenish with, I think, the Morris Lube Lodexol XFS 80w -140. And then continue with bed-in process for the next 500miles but with careful and varying amounts of speed and acceleration.

If any you are thinking of taking this on in the near future it?s not as daunting as you think and you don?t want to pay a certain OEM price from a well known part supplier, there is an alternative one, but I?m not sure how many units are still available, probably very few as these were on eBay recently.
Contact details as below:

Mark (Manager)
Mark (Parts Person)
South Lakeland Mini Centre
Barrow-in Furness
Tel: 01229 836638
mark@southlakesminis.com

If they want to know how you contacted them just say Phil bought one recently and gave me your details ? its ok guys, I?m not commission here.

Anyways, thanks to all for your advise/experiences/contribution ? every little helps.

Phil.