Have you ever changed a diff in the field and spares carry
Discussion
Hello,
the previous owner of my car carried a spare diff in case he broke one whilst competing. I continued doing this until I broke the diff, took the half shaft out looked at diff and decided it was too much like hard work and got a tow home (it wasn't far).
I have looked in the manual and I do have the tools and skills to do it in theory but wondered if I'd ever do it in practice. And if I'd have the right tools, should it not go to plan.
I guess I'm asking "Has anyone changed a diff in a Midget in a field?" and "what eventuality should I cover myself for - tools wise."
What other spares would people recomend I carry? I already have a halfshaft, a couple of plugs and a coil. The former spare is now fitted so I'm going to replace it. Car will be fitted with electronic ignition so I don't carry spare points.
the previous owner of my car carried a spare diff in case he broke one whilst competing. I continued doing this until I broke the diff, took the half shaft out looked at diff and decided it was too much like hard work and got a tow home (it wasn't far).
I have looked in the manual and I do have the tools and skills to do it in theory but wondered if I'd ever do it in practice. And if I'd have the right tools, should it not go to plan.
I guess I'm asking "Has anyone changed a diff in a Midget in a field?" and "what eventuality should I cover myself for - tools wise."
What other spares would people recomend I carry? I already have a halfshaft, a couple of plugs and a coil. The former spare is now fitted so I'm going to replace it. Car will be fitted with electronic ignition so I don't carry spare points.
Depends what you are using the car for and how serious you are about it.
You say the PO used it for competition but is that what you use it for or just general road use?
If it's competition how serious are you about it? If something major goes are you desperate to fix it and stay in the battle or just say "That's a shame I was enjoying that, now where the van selling tea and bacon rolls..."?
For road use and even general continental touring I've always gone with keeping the car in good mechanical order and using it regularly. I carry a good range of spanners/sockets/etc in a sub-shoebox sized bag, 1x spare rotor arm/dizzy cap/plug lead/plug, 1x each bulb, a few old hoses that were replaced as serviceable but past their best and a can of tyre weld.
That's seen me through 6 Le Mans trips in my Spitfire - and I only have the bulbs because the French require them!
For competition only take what you can be bothered to change!
You say the PO used it for competition but is that what you use it for or just general road use?
If it's competition how serious are you about it? If something major goes are you desperate to fix it and stay in the battle or just say "That's a shame I was enjoying that, now where the van selling tea and bacon rolls..."?
For road use and even general continental touring I've always gone with keeping the car in good mechanical order and using it regularly. I carry a good range of spanners/sockets/etc in a sub-shoebox sized bag, 1x spare rotor arm/dizzy cap/plug lead/plug, 1x each bulb, a few old hoses that were replaced as serviceable but past their best and a can of tyre weld.
That's seen me through 6 Le Mans trips in my Spitfire - and I only have the bulbs because the French require them!
For competition only take what you can be bothered to change!
I used to carry a diff in a Landrover, but I was doing virtually comp-safari spec offroading in a non-comp spec car. I had to change it in a field (often on a tarpaulin to keep the water off me) several times.
Tbh it's simple enough, just fish all the broken bits out the bottom of the casing. Midget diffs are easier, as they are lighter. But harder as there isn't as much room underneath.
Tbh it's simple enough, just fish all the broken bits out the bottom of the casing. Midget diffs are easier, as they are lighter. But harder as there isn't as much room underneath.
//j17 said:
Depends what you are using the car for and how serious you are about it.
You say the PO used it for competition but is that what you use it for or just general road use?
If it's competition how serious are you about it? If something major goes are you desperate to fix it and stay in the battle or just say "That's a shame I was enjoying that, now where the van selling tea and bacon rolls..."?
For road use and even general continental touring I've always gone with keeping the car in good mechanical order and using it regularly. I carry a good range of spanners/sockets/etc in a sub-shoebox sized bag, 1x spare rotor arm/dizzy cap/plug lead/plug, 1x each bulb, a few old hoses that were replaced as serviceable but past their best and a can of tyre weld.
That's seen me through 6 Le Mans trips in my Spitfire - and I only have the bulbs because the French require them!
For competition only take what you can be bothered to change!
Sorry - should have been clearer - I use the car for hillclimbs, sprints, PCTs and classic rallies.You say the PO used it for competition but is that what you use it for or just general road use?
If it's competition how serious are you about it? If something major goes are you desperate to fix it and stay in the battle or just say "That's a shame I was enjoying that, now where the van selling tea and bacon rolls..."?
For road use and even general continental touring I've always gone with keeping the car in good mechanical order and using it regularly. I carry a good range of spanners/sockets/etc in a sub-shoebox sized bag, 1x spare rotor arm/dizzy cap/plug lead/plug, 1x each bulb, a few old hoses that were replaced as serviceable but past their best and a can of tyre weld.
That's seen me through 6 Le Mans trips in my Spitfire - and I only have the bulbs because the French require them!
For competition only take what you can be bothered to change!
BMWChris said:
Sorry - should have been clearer - I use the car for hillclimbs, sprints, PCTs and classic rallies.
So it's just a simple question - take anything you can be arsed to change lying in a muddy puddle 
If you are actually willing to replace the diff. (engine/gearbox/etc) lying in a muddy puddle, take them. If you're going to trailer the car home and do it in your nice dry, warm garage ready for the next event, then don't as your are just carrying extra weight around.
I've never done it, friends did asprite 1/2 shaft at a Healey Club event a few years ago in a field - may have had to take the diff out anyway to get the last few inches of the half shaft out.
I would do it providing I had help, not sure I'd have the enthusiasm to do it on my own though.
AFAIR it's just sockets/spanners probably al 7/16 and 1/2 for the diff and nothing special for the half shaft, plus axle stands to get it high enough to work underneath. It a long time since I took mine apart so the details are a bit hazy now!
John
I would do it providing I had help, not sure I'd have the enthusiasm to do it on my own though.
AFAIR it's just sockets/spanners probably al 7/16 and 1/2 for the diff and nothing special for the half shaft, plus axle stands to get it high enough to work underneath. It a long time since I took mine apart so the details are a bit hazy now!
John
threespires said:
Julian Fack developed a diff mod, but I'm unable to help more. He does Sporting Trials. BTRDA I s'pose.
For me and PO its both half shafts and diffs. We both broke one each. I can get toughened half shafts but my concern would be that it would just put more strain on the diff and it is easier and cheaper to replace a half shaft than a diff. I'll try and track down this Julian Fack chap. Sounds promissing. Is the modification specificaly for Midget diffs or diffs in general?
Chris
I know he did BMC & Fords maybe others. But thay are the common ones in Trialling.
He might have been from Draycott in the Clay area - near Burton on Trent.
Try messages here
http://www.sportingtrials.com/
He might have been from Draycott in the Clay area - near Burton on Trent.
Try messages here
http://www.sportingtrials.com/
Edited by threespires on Saturday 15th May 21:31
Hi folks 2 weeks ago i changed a diff & 2 shafts in a field in wales @ 1st round of the british autograss series,It was on a class 3 autograss car ( mk1 renault 5 ) Fitted with toovey 16v vauxhall rwd
As driven by mr A Crowther & My mrs
4 rounds to go www.basautograss.co.uk
As driven by mr A Crowther & My mrs
4 rounds to go www.basautograss.co.uk
[quote=BMWChris Car will be fitted with electronic ignition so I don't carry spare points.
[/quote]
I used to carry a set of points and condensor as a spare when I had lumenition fitted to my Jem. Only needed it once but it was a lifesaver and saved a lot of hassle for not much space in the car.
[/quote]
I used to carry a set of points and condensor as a spare when I had lumenition fitted to my Jem. Only needed it once but it was a lifesaver and saved a lot of hassle for not much space in the car.
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