Changing the DIFF

[dunketh]

Just a quick check - I'm going to be changing my whiney diff over the weekend and was wandering if it was possible to do without removing the propshaft...

I'm hoping there's enough 'play' in it all so I can undo the flange bolts and the bolts around the axle casing and then simply lower it out at an angle, so as to miss the propshaft.

Any tips/hint or things I need to be aware of?

Also, does anyone know what size drain plug tool I'll need - will a standard size ratchet fit (minus any sockets)?

Cheers
jon

[rayofleamington]

Can't remember if it is possible or not but once you've unbolted the prop from the diff, it just slides out of the gearbox anyway!
Put some newspaper and an oil drain container under the end of the gearbox though! It normally leaks about a cupfull.
Better option is to drain the gearbox before hand - an occassional change of the gearbox oil helps to clear the metal particles out of the box.

The only hionts I can give it to remove the half shafts first!!!
Therefore you should have some new halfshaft geaskets ready.
You will get a dribble of oil from the halfshaft / hub joint so either remove the shoes or just have some kitchen roll in place to catch it before it gets on the brake shoes.

Draining: A standard size ratchet (3/8" ???) is a very poor fit but will sometimes work (not recommended). Another bodge option is to find a big bolt and angle grind a square on it - then use the ratchet on the bolt head. The better solution is to get a proper tool (although it's still on my wish list )

[Willie]

It is possible to merely disconnect the rear prop flange from the diff and then
use a stout box with a piece of wood etc on top of it so that the prop is raised
right up into the prop shaft tunnel. You must ensure that it is securely held
up there though because it would give you a nastly clip if it fell down so it is
safer to remove it. I have a tool with four different sizes of axle drain plug
fittings on it and assume that they are still available.

[Pyoor_Kate]

I've got a hideous modern metric drain plug remover - it's 11mm which fits - but is a bit slack. Somewhere around I think I've got a lots-of-different-sizes one, but like a lot of my tools, they arrive in my garage only to be submerged under a lot of 'stuff' and never see the light of day again.

[minor_hickup]

I tried a 1/2 drive on it and it wasnt the right size, its worth investing in a drain plug tool, much better fit!

[bmcecosse]

Why DID they make the thing such a non-standard size ? Anyone know what size it actually is ?

[Onne]

They do it all the time nowadays. I don't know if Morris were doing it, but all modern euroboxes need special tools, which only the dealership has access to.

[dunketh]

Why DID they make the thing such a non-standard size ? Anyone know what size it actually is ?

lol.. its probably some quirky manufacturing joke that the rest of us don't get... maybe its the same size as one of the designers thumbs??

[rayofleamington]

Why DID they make the thing such a non-standard size ?

????
It was a standard size when they made it ;-). It's really not their fault that 1940's standards are out of date 66 years later...

I just used a big bolt and ground a square on the non hexagon end, so i've no idea what size it should be. If they ren't too tight you can use a socket wrench (the one just below 1/2") but that is a poor fit.
As willie says - get a multi adaptor and there will be one to fit

[dunketh]

Went to do this at lunchtime and found I'd forgotton something, after sitting him on stands and pulling the wheels and drums off!

Instant Gasket.

Doh, I left it at home on my misses dressing table.
I'm sure I have a short-term memory problem.....

[rayofleamington]

Instant Gasket.

for?

[dunketh]

Instant Gasket.
for?

You're gonna all start telling me to buy a real gasket now aren't you...
I know its messy and rather sh** but its never failed me.

I did the chain cover with some too when I replaced the oil seal gasket.