8 replies to this topic

[Kaz Farooq]

Hi all
Driveshafts out.
There is about 0.5 mm play at the shaft in the differential housing on drivers side where the pot joint attaches. I was about to remove the diff housing a re gasket and pop on a new seal.
But is this pointless in solving leak problem? Are my bushes in the differential worn? How much play is acceptable on the inner drive shaft?
Can I change these myself? What part do I need? Engine is still in the car.
Kaz

Edited by Kaz Farooq, 27 September 2016 - 10:20 AM.

[tiger99]

Yes, something is badly worn, either the pot joint (unlikely) or the bush. The main diff bearings will have sustained uneven loading and should also be replaced.

In theory it can be done with the engine in the car, although most people here will advise against it. You should do both sides as the other one will have had a similar amount of wear. The bushes need to be reamed once they are fitted to the diff side covers, which you will not be able to do at home.

If someone does exchange diff side covers with reamed bushes, that would be the most economical way. You will also need new diff bearings (because they will have been damaged by assymetric loading), gaskets and an assortment of shims.

Study the Rover manual very carefully before deciding whether you want to do it yourself or take the engine out and get a transmission specialist to do it.

Edited by tiger99, 27 September 2016 - 12:05 PM.

[greenwheels]

Bull Motif do reamed diff side covers  http://bullmotifmini...erential_manual

[tiger99]

Well for a brand new part the price is not too bad. They don't say it has been reamed but presumably you know that it has. They also have the bush, which is cheap but will need possibly expensive reaming.

Time being what it is, if I had trouble in that area I would be seriously tempted to buy a pair of new side covers to get the car fixed quickly, and get the old ones re-bushed and reamed for use as spares or to be sold.

I have been aware of Bull Motif for some time but we rarely hear them mentioned on this forum. Why? Maybe no complaints? If they are good, please do tell.

Actually they may be line bored rather than reamed. Someone who knows may enlighten us. My instinct says that reaming is better but it will be a large and expensive reamer and will need to be used in a machine to achieve parallelism.

[Kaz Farooq]

If I simply replace the differential housing with a new one (thanks for the linkie), will it not solve the leak and play in the shaft problem? The old oil seal looked shot (1990 and probably original).

I could then perhaps have diff bearings replaced should the oil leak persist?

Edited by Kaz Farooq, 27 September 2016 - 07:05 PM.

[greenwheels]

Well for a brand new part the price is not too bad. They don't say it has been reamed but presumably you know that it has. They also have the bush, which is cheap but will need possibly expensive reaming.

Time being what it is, if I had trouble in that area I would be seriously tempted to buy a pair of new side covers to get the car fixed quickly, and get the old ones re-bushed and reamed for use as spares or to be sold.

I have been aware of Bull Motif for some time but we rarely hear them mentioned on this forum. Why? Maybe no complaints? If they are good, please do tell.

 

If I simply replace the differential housing with a new one (thanks for the linkie), will it not solve the leak and play in the shaft problem? The old oil seal looked shot (1990 and probably original).

I could then perhaps have diff bearings replaced should the oil leak persist?

Assuming you are talking about the side covers not the big housing that bolts from the back, yes I would give it a try. Only problem could be that the right hand side one has no shims, it 'pushes against' the diff assembly and the left hand side diff cover is shimmed o give a load. You may have to loosedthe big housing so the whole diff assembly can be pushed across. Read the manual to get the picture. What do you think Tiger99? is it feasible to slacken off  the housing?

re Bull Motif - they are excellent. Next day delivery always for me, if there is a problem they will ring you, ask for a discount and you will get it.  The diff side covers are reamed and in line, forget about buying a bush. The ring step was different to my old one by a few thou so you need to measure for shims. Best to buy a selection of shims as well.

[Spider]

Hi all
Driveshafts out.
There is about 0.5 mm play at the shaft in the differential housing on drivers side where the pot joint attaches. I was about to remove the diff housing a re gasket and pop on a new seal.
But is this pointless in solving leak problem? Are my bushes in the differential worn? How much play is acceptable on the inner drive shaft?
Can I change these myself? What part do I need? Engine is still in the car.
Kaz

 

With the pots off and about 0.5 mm play in the output shafts of the diff, it does show some wear, but it should be quite OK.

 

You can of course remove the diff side covers and re-bush and ream those to size, or as greenwheels linked up, buy new covers with bushes fitted.

 

Mini Spares have the same item, but a bit cheaper  http://minispares.co...|Back to search

 

BUT, before changing these covers and / or re-bushing them, how much play / wear do these bushes have? Ideally you need to remove the cover and fit the pot joint in to it to check, but you can get a good idea while on the car. With the seals still fitted, you need to wobble the joint and see if the seal lips are still making good contact with the joint.

 

If you do remove them to check, use a feeler gauge (tapered end types are best for this), in at lease 3 places. Anymore than 0.012" and they are best replaced.

Edited by Moke Spider, 27 September 2016 - 08:00 PM.

[Cooperman]

I doubt you will need new diff ball bearings. They are massive and over-size for what they do in a normal Mini. I have never had a diff ball bearing fail, ever.

[Kaz Farooq]

I removed the diff housing cover and visually inspected the bronze bush. It looked good on visual inspection. I should have put them on the end of the pot joint whilst out of the car. But was not thinking and read your post too late. I'll use my feeler gauges for the other side.

Anyway, after removing old gasket and replacing it with new one (sealant applied), inserting a new oil seal in the housing, pushing back the pot joint over inner drive shaft, the play has reduced to virtually none. I'm very satisfied with overall job.
Now onto the passenger side tomorrow. Thanks chaps for all your words of wisdom.

Kaz

Edited by Kaz Farooq, 27 September 2016 - 11:01 PM.