16 replies to this topic

[alex-95]

I tried fitting my pot joints into my freshly rebored diff covers at the weekend and they wouldn't fit, They should be 31.75mm or 1.25" with 0.012mm/0.5 to 0.025mm/1thou of clearance  . I'm wondering if anybody else has had this problem before or if anybody can measure their ones with a micrometer? The ones below are from minispares http://www.minispare...assic/Drivetrai  The first one measures 31.82mm / 1.2524" and the 2nd side 31.78mm / 1.2512. So oversize.

 

I'm now going to have to machine my diff covers again so that they fit  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Spider]

I've been supplied a few that have been over-size.

 

I don't (yet) have a cylindrical grinder, so I mounted the joints in the lathe and hit it up with the diamond lap to bring them back on spec.

[Rorf]

Minispares supply many suspect parts of incorrect dimensions - a pity being one of the largest suppliers in the UK.

[alex-95]

I've been supplied a few that have been over-size.

 

I don't (yet) have a cylindrical grinder, so I mounted the joints in the lathe and hit it up with the diamond lap to bring them back on spec.

I'm glad I'm not the only one then. 

Ah right, that was the other option (don't have a grinder either).

 

Minispares supply many suspect parts of incorrect dimensions - a pity being one of the largest suppliers in the UK.

Yep definitely, although the other suppliers probably buy from the same company as minispares. I bought a 3.2 crown wheel that was oversize, but ringing lot's of the other companies they all had the same stock, which was NOS as well .

[ACDodd]

Send them back, it's the only way to reduce this kind of thing happening.

Ac

[Pigeonto]

Yes, to answer the question, I've had some. 

If you fit new drive shafts to used covers you'd never know, in fact it would be an advantage !

I went to fit one when the engine was back in with new bushes, pushed it in to have it stop 1/2 way and couldn't remove it for fear of damage; heat transfer/shrunk on contact probably

I had to remove the plate c/w drive shaft and sort it all out on the bench and lathe as the car needed to be in use that day

[alex-95]

Send them back, it's the only way to reduce this kind of thing happening.

Ac

Thats what I wanted to do but have had them 3 years and done a couple of thousand miles . I've sent them an email on monday and am waiting a reply.

 

Yes, to answer the question, I've had some. 

If you fit new drive shafts to used covers you'd never know, in fact it would be an advantage !

I went to fit one when the engine was back in with new bushes, pushed it in to have it stop 1/2 way and couldn't remove it for fear of damage; heat transfer/shrunk on contact probably

I had to remove the plate c/w drive shaft and sort it all out on the bench and lathe as the car needed to be in use that day

Yeah that's what I was thinking, took up some slack in the worn ones  . yeah, shame we have to sort bits out rather than a straight fit.

 

Sorted them today though, mounted them back onto my jig and bored them out to suit both sides.

[alex-95]

Does anyone know of anywhere that sells pot joints that are 1.25"? I bought another one from DSN and that was oversize by 2 thou again...

[ACDodd]

Send it back and try Minispares.

Ac

[Rorf]

Send it back and try Minispares.

Ac

Now that is the problem - the first one he got was from minispares

 

But they will refer it back to the original supplier and take no responsibility for selling sub standard parts!

[alex-95]

Send it back and try Minispares.

Ac

 

 

 

Send it back and try Minispares.

Ac

Now that is the problem - the first one he got was from minispares

 

But they will refer it back to the original supplier and take no responsibility for selling sub standard parts!

 

 

So after boring out the bushes to suit the mini spares ones the drivers side fitted when the diff cover was bolted up and the pot joint slid over the splines and into the diff cover. The passenger one would go on half way then bind up, I bored it slightly bigger and it still didn't fit, I bored out another diff cover to make sure it's not the diff cover at fault and it still didn't fit. I have a few spare bored covers to suit an old 1.25" pot joint and it slides in fine. So to me it seems that the pot joint is at fault here, a minispares one that I bought a few years ago. 

 

I decided to ring around a few companies, One didn't know the difference between length and diameter, another said that there's were 32mm etc. So I rung Minispares, they said there can't be the wrong size as they have never had an issue with them before, They didn't seem to worry about the 2 different sizes and they didn't have any on hand that they could try in one of there diff covers they sell. Anyone know who bores there diff covers out or if they are NOS?

 

Run out of places to ask now I think... Asked Rimmer bros who didn't have any, minisport, somerfords...

Edited by alex-95, 10 March 2019 - 08:15 PM.

[Spider]

From what I can work out, many suppliers either source them from the same supplier as Mini Spares or from Mini Spares themselves.

 

Are there any firms in the UK who recondition the joints?

 

We have a few firms who do them here, one in particular does do a great job, but don't always have stock of the inner joints for Minis. The boots they supply with them, while of good quality, are totally wrong, but I'm happy to change them.

 

Or, maybe take a few new ones to a machine shop and have them cylindrically ground. Yes, you shouldn't have to do this but when in a corner, what else can one do?

 

Sending them back is an option and sends a message, which the suppliers need to know, but it seldom helps get that project off the engine stand and it to the car in respectable time. Often, we are supplied with 'new' parts, only to have the same fault.

[alex-95]

From what I can work out, many suppliers either source them from the same supplier as Mini Spares or from Mini Spares themselves.

 

Are there any firms in the UK who recondition the joints?

 

We have a few firms who do them here, one in particular does do a great job, but don't always have stock of the inner joints for Minis. The boots they supply with them, while of good quality, are totally wrong, but I'm happy to change them.

 

Or, maybe take a few new ones to a machine shop and have them cylindrically ground. Yes, you shouldn't have to do this but when in a corner, what else can one do?

 

Sending them back is an option and sends a message, which the suppliers need to know, but it seldom helps get that project off the engine stand and it to the car in respectable time. Often, we are supplied with 'new' parts, only to have the same fault.

 

I think there may be at least 2 suppliers as the DSN ones look slightly different to the minispares ones.

 

I think I will take one to a machine shop with a cylindrical grinder now you say it as I know a bloke that works for them. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done during the next week.

[InnoCooperExport]

Stupid question maybe but why would you have them ground over having them turned down a few thou on a lathe?

[DeadSquare]

Stupid question maybe but why would you have them ground over having them turned down a few thou on a lathe?

 

A much better finish.