exploded the diff

[cadetchris]

managed to smash the entire diff on Primrose. went around a roundabout and then a crash and nothing, pulled over to check, engine still working, prop shaft and gears working still, but alas no forward movement. Initially i though it was a broken half shaft, but if it was that i would get some forward movement (using scout logic), but alas not with me.
Bugger,
However thankfully i have a spare one in the shed so ill swap it tomorrow, providing its not the half shafts when i take them out,

anyone got a spare wolseley 1500 diff to replace mine?

[mike.perry]

If you had a broken half shaft you would have no movement

[cadetchris]

would their be a grinding noise as the ends ground together?

[bmcecosse]

Yes..... It's MUCH more likely to be a half shaft.......

[cadetchris]

Ah, well that could be fun, ill get my father to pick one up tomorrow morning, so ill have one spare if it isn't one of them.
Daft question, but how do you take the broken bit out? I know how to take out a half shaft normally, but a broken one, I haven't a clue.

[bmcecosse]

You remove the diff - it will all need thorough cleaning to get every bit of shattered metal out of the bearings and gears......

[cadetchris]

Should I also try and clean out the axle casing itself? But its all fixable to say the least.

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - you MUST!

[MikeNash]

And then go to a plumber's store and buy a solid plug to match the thread on your sump plug (its a taper thread and will about £1), drill a 1/4 inch hole in it and Araldite in a short magnet; you can get them from DIY stores. This'll catch all the swarf and bits you missed on your clean out.

Even on an undamaged diff you'll be amazed how much a magnet will catch, MikeN.

[cadetchris]

all fixed, turns out the passenger side half shaft had snapped where it entered the diff, cleaned the whole lot out with a gallon of paraffin, new half shaft and hey presto forward movement,
whilst cleaning out the axle i found a tooth from a diff, not the one currently in the car, but from a previous one where my brother actually managed to shatter the crown wheel. no idea how he did it, but its all fixed with my half shaft

[bmcecosse]

Great success!