Any tips for refitting the diff?

[Barkychoc]

I've got plenty of pictures, but I remember it being a real pig of a puzzle to remove it, and that was with gravity helping along

Has anyone figured out a logical way to do it or is it best just to swear a lot and try not to throw anything?

Chris

[ketvrin]

with a bit of luck Chris, I'll be able to tell you after this weekend as I'm ready to make the swap... you have the advantage of having the body off whereas I'll be on my back looking up at it
I'll take pictures if I can...

K

[mep12345]

Barkychoc said:

I've got plenty of pictures, but I remember it being a real pig of a puzzle to remove it, and that was with gravity helping along

Has anyone figured out a logical way to do it or is it best just to swear a lot and try not to throw anything?

Chris

Mine went in easier than it came out, but the body was off on both occasions. Sorry but huff and puff and lots of swearing was the order of the day. IIRC I think the back end has to go in first and then the front swung upwards and supported on a jack. Also you can't fit it in with the cradle fully attached so need to bolt in the front two bolts once in place in the chassis (but these are real buggers). This is from memory some 6 months ago and I didn't photo this work as it seemed relatively simple, so any errors in this please feel free to correct.

Mark

[Barkychoc]

Thanks Guys - Kevin be careful under there the diff is bloody heavy as I'm sure you know from your replacement one.
I found I had a hell of a job getting the diff assembly to let go of the carrier bracket even with the bolts removed.
I removed mine by suspending it with my engine crane, so it didn't drop.

Chris

[mikee boy]

I did exactly what mep12345 did.

[Gerald-TVR]

Chris

Just turn the chassis over and gravity will work for you not against you | |

[Barkychoc]

Actually Norman thats not a bad idea as my chassis is still pretty bare and its not actually as heavy as you would think.

[Gerald-TVR]

Hi Chris

It was a serious suggestion (but I didnt know exactly what you had installed as yet) been there before

This was my first project 1969 (no speed cameras, clear roads, no yellow lines, no parking meters, cheap beer and smoking was good for you!!!!)



and finished (wish I still had it)



Would love to be doing what you are doing but my garage is so small I cant get out of the car if the roof is on!

Edited by Gerald-TVR on Thursday 17th July 15:43

[trickjohn]

Hi Chris, mine took 2 people to get out - lots of getting in each others way and swearing - I put it back on my own, gave myself a day to do it and it was all over and done with in a couple of hours. Block up from underneath as a resting point and drop from the top, the s3 has a carrier in the way do that one first and you can get access with the other 2 bolts released. I chucked away the torque head bolts and used allen heads 8.8 strength, torque was much more positive, I had a broken one to remove and broke a head on torqing up (T40's).

Best Of Luck.

Sean

Edited by trickjohn on Thursday 17th July 20:50

[Dave_M]

Norman, that looks great

Chris, I'm no use with anything techie (you may not have realised that) but I'm happy to come over on a Saturday and lift it with you. If you get a couple of bodies, it'll make it easier - and you can laugh at me too

[Barkychoc]

Thanks Dave - I'll have a crack at it first - I'm not exactly in a rush!

[ketvrin]

Hi Chris

I found that as long as the diff could be balanced on a trolley Jack and the jack had enough travel/lift then it was possible to lift the diff into the space between the front carrier mounting points, once one of those bolts was in place (top and nearside in my case)the rest was a doddle. I had a mate arrive at just the right time so he guided the diff between the mounts while I steadied the diff and operated the jack. I reckon it would have been a bit wobbly without his help, but possible...

(am I the only one having bother loading uncle daves photos these days ?

so look here...

http://ketvrin.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set...

K

[Ray S]

Hi Chris don't know if I was just lucky But did same as Ketvrin & it went in a breeze.Ray