6 replies to this topic

[landrover 1963]

1996 Mini 1.3 MPi Balmoral

Is it possible to remove the diff while the engine is still in the car or is it an engine out job to replace / repair??

I have up and down movement on the drivers side driveshaft as it leaves the diff, this movement is causing the car to judder and jerk when slowing down when coming off of the gas. You can feel a vibration through the steering wheel as well, a very minor one but never the less still there. It isn't wheel balance as that's been checked, its not anything to do with the brakes.

Its diff related, I have replaced the drivers side driveshaft with a known good one, and the problem is still there but not as much, (the UJ was failing on the original)

Any help with the diff being accessible or is it and engine out job???

HELP!!!!!

[The_Mistro]

i dont think it can! when my diff pin snapped, we had to take the whole engine out to get at it!

[66S]

The engine/trans must be removed to allow the the diff to be removed. It may be the problem is not in the diff though. I suppose your Mini will have pot joints but whatever inner joint it has, they run in a bush in the seal housing, either side of the diff. I suspect the bushes in the housings require attention. These housings can be removed without removing the engine.

Regards
Al

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

i second that the seal around the shaft shud be acessable with the gearbox in car although u may need to remove the downpipe

[Dan]

It is just possible to seperate the diff with the engine in place but it's really not fun. Although in an MPi it might be quicker than removing the engine. As said above though I think you'll find it's just the bush in the sideplate that need to be replaced and finish machined.

[mini_turbo_pete]

it's not too hard to take the dif out with the engine in the car, you need to undo the gear linkage all the engine mounts, the exhaust, you can then move the engine forward which will give you the clearance to undo the diff housings and remove them.

[Guess-Works.com]

You'd be surprised how easy it is to remove an MPi engine....