Changing a Diff

[sowden]

Hi all,

been looking at Rob Thommasons advice on diff swapping and it all looks alarmingly easy.

Does anyone know if you need any new gaskets? Also, how much oil is required to put back in, to get the level (s) right? Any other nuggets of information?

Cheers,

Russ

[Longdog]

Hi Sowden, in my experience it is best to replace diff gasket (big round one) and the two half shaft o rings and the two gaskets.Also a good idea is 10 wraps of ptfe tape on the drain plug.Hold plug in left hand and wrap away from you (plumbers tip )

[bmcecosse]

It is an easy enough job- just make sure the car is safely held as you will need both rear wheels off the ground and you will be underneath! It takes about a litre of oil - make sure the axle is lying level when you pump in the new EP90 oil, and just fill it to the level plug. I managed without any new gaskets - except on early cars the half shafts are sealed to the hub with rubber ring seals which survive very well. If you are changing the diff to get a different rear axle ratio, you will need to also change the speedo to get correct readings. Worth pulling the half shafts right out and inspecting the splines- if they show any twist or a wear-step, then they may not last long! They should be put back in the same side they came out from - don't swap them over. The diff to half-shaft bolts are 1/4 Whit - and need quite a thin spanner to get on them.