Re: Diff Oil Leak

[<NickArg@domain.elided>]

Thanks Mike for the advice.. I've decided to try filling it first,
using "Chemical Metal". So far it seems to have cured the 
leak but I've not done many miles as yet. Sunday's run to
Trentham Gardens should test it out. I suspect this is
only a temporary fix but a least it gives me the chance
to source a replacement diff at my leisure. (probably 
during the winter lay-up!)

In a message dated 26/07/98 12:36:04 GMT, you write:

<< "The existing pinion seal looks OK, with a good fit 
 when checked against the quill shaft. However looking at the 
 diff itself  where the seal fits into the diff the seating is not 
 continuous. There is a 1 inch piece missing from
 the bottom right hand quadrant of the seating in the diff nose.
 When tipped up oil pours through this hole."
 
 Oh dear, you seem to have a problem!
 
 The piece missing you refer to, is not correct, there must be 
 continuous metal around the oil seal to enable the outside of 
 the seal, to seal.  Clearly all that is stopping all the oil coming 
 out continuously, is the quill shaft bearing oil seals.  It must
 be the 'person' before you has broken the housing when 
 trying to remove the oil seal.  SOB.
 
 Rectification looks very difficult.  You could try a filler, but I very 
 much doubt that this would work.  Welding is impossible without 
 stripping the diff (welding heat, spatter and dirt getting in front 
 bearing being the problem).
 
 Stripping and rebuilding the diff again is impossible without the 
 correct special tools - you need a spreader to refit the diff 
 crownwheel assembly.  
 
 Fitting your gears into another casing is very problematical, as 
 well as the 'spreader' problem you will also need other height 
 guages and a dummy pinion to set it up correctly, then setting the 
 actual mesh of the gears to avoid noise is another problem - a 
 problem which requires very specialised skills indeed.  So this 
 is not a good bet at all.
 
 Second-hand diffs tend to be noisy (the normal reason why they 
 are removed) so finding a good one may take time and a lot of 
 heavy disassembly/assembly.
 
 So, the practical (but expensive) answer looks to be a service 
 exchange diff assembly.  The good point is that Rimmer Bros 
 now supply these with new gears, so a quiet and long-lasting diff 
 should (SHOULD) be assured.
 
 Sorry about this depressing news.
 
 Mike Wattam
 Triumph Stag Register >>