diff carrier bearing on way out

[blueoval]

Well I just got a message from my mechanic mate who said the carrier bearing on my diff is on the way out.

Tends to whine and vibrate a little at 65kph. Common issue on the AU's apparently.

So I was thinking, while Im getting the bearing replaced, is it worth me converting to LSD and sticking a 3.45 ratio in it, or something else?

[5.0 ED]

Your probably be better off just replacing the whole diff with an 3.45lsd out of another car, this is what i have done, it cost me $500 for a complete S2 XR8 LSD irs assemble, yours would be a lot cheaper being non IRS. But basically to buy diff gears 2nd hand $200, to get a good LSD diff centre your looking at $300.

Are the E series live axle diff's the same size as AU, if so that would mean you would get a diff a lot cheaper.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

Your probably be better off just replacing the whole diff with an 3.45lsd out of another car, this is what i have done, it cost me $500 for a complete S2 XR8 LSD irs assemble, yours would be a lot cheaper being non IRS. But basically to buy diff gears 2nd hand $200, to get a good LSD diff centre your looking at $300.

Are the E series live axle diff's the same size as AU, if so that would mean you would get a diff a lot cheaper.

Thanks mate, thats what I was thinking. Might ring a few wreckers and see what they have in the way of 2nd hand 3.45 LSD centres. But what about the carrier bearing? Does that need to be pressed out and replaced or will the second hand one be ok?

[5.0 ED]

The 3.45 lsd diff has a large carrier bearing in it, and i have never heard any problems with them.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

The 3.45 lsd diff has a large carrier bearing in it, and i have never heard any problems with them.

It sounds like they are a stronger unit. Whats the word on the bearing wearing out on a unit like this? Would I better off replacing the carrier bearing for peace of mind?

[mik]

i would bear in mind that in a second hand lsd at 100000 k`s the it will probably be close to single wheeler due to wear and tear, i tested mine at about a hundred thousand k`s and it had very little lsd effect, the car has never been to drags or had any abuse, if your buying a diff second hand for a lsd on its own unless its recoed i think your wasting your dough imo unless its super low k`s.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by mik

i would bear in mind that in a second hand lsd at 100000 k`s the it will probably be close to single wheeler due to wear and tear, i tested mine at about a hundred thousand k`s and it had very little lsd effect, the car has never been to drags or had any abuse, if your buying a diff second hand for a lsd on its own unless its recoed i think your wasting your dough imo unless its super low k`s.

good points mik. What do you suggest then?

Get a 2nd hand unit rebuilt or by new?

[5.0 ED]

i've purchased plenty of lsd and had plenty of cars with them at 300,000km's and i have never got one stuff, which has been good luck, the whole thing is you have to check the diff your buying, check how much touque it takes to break the lsd and play etc.

[blueoval]

thanks mate, will do.

[mik]

some good advice from 5.0whiteaughia, allthough i have to admit i`m a bit partial to reco stuff, i have been dissapointed a few times over the years from buying second hand stuff over the year`s, good luck.

[blueoval]

Thanks mik. I'm pretty cautious also. It will be interesting to see whats out there. If I have to buy new, I will but prefer not to if I can avoid it.

[5.0 ED]

Yeah new is always nice, but with the price variance between new/reco diff centre and gears compared to a 2nd hand unit, its a big difference.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

Yeah new is always nice, but with the price variance between new/reco diff centre and gears compared to a 2nd hand unit, its a big difference.

agree. Thats why Im gonna try second hand first. See what I can find. Failing that, new will it have to be.

[blackers10]

ive been quoted 660 fitted for a standard replacment NEW LSD center from Hart Transmissions up here in Brisbane(at Brendale)

then you just need the gears.apparently aftermarket gears from a diff shop are of a harder metal so as to reduce wear and tear compared to the cast standard units

[blueoval]

Thanks blackers. Thats interesting to compare.

I reckon weighing up the price differences is a must. Still if you can get a decent 2nd hand unit for cheaper, its worth looking into.

[5.0 ED]

Okay well gears $450 new, LSD $600 new.

You should be able to get a good 2nd hand LSD diff for it for $250. I got my whole IRS setup for $450 with 3.45 LSD.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

Okay well gears $450 new, LSD $600 new.

You should be able to get a good 2nd hand LSD diff for it for $250. I got my whole IRS setup for $450 with 3.45 LSD.

Thats quite a considerable saving IF you can find a decent unit in good condition.

Here is a question, will the 3.45 gears from an IRS setup fit into a live axle diff setup?

[5.0 ED]

yes they will the gears are the same, but the LSD is different, but you can put an IRS lsd in a live axle, but not visa versa although some people have, in the IRS setup their is a circlip groove thats not in the normal setup.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

yes they will the gears are the same, but the LSD is different, but you can put an IRS lsd in a live axle, but not visa versa although some people have, in the IRS setup their is a circlip groove thats not in the normal setup.

appreciate your knowledge on this. Very helpful. ;)

[F6 R-Spec]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

yes they will the gears are the same, but the LSD is different, but you can put an IRS lsd in a live axle, but not visa versa although some people have, in the IRS setup their is a circlip groove thats not in the normal setup.

It will work using early cones (solid axle ones) in an irs, as they are a 2 piece cone and side gear.
The circlip will locate in the grove.

Hey blueoval your noise will be most likley be coming from small pinion bearing as there the first to chew out.

Cheers Mick.

[blueoval]

Thanks Mick. Will replacing the diff gears and installing an LSD centre sort the noise out or is that a different area of the diff again that I will need to address?

[F6 R-Spec]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Thanks Mick. Will replacing the diff gears and installing an LSD centre sort the noise out or is that a different area of the diff again that I will need to address?

Just change all the bearings x2 pinion, x2 carier, x2 axle's.
That will fix the whien. (spelling)

But as mentioned by others your better of with a good 2nd hand 3.45 ratio LSD. More fun. :

Good Luck.
Cheers Mick.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by PURSUIT-250

Just change all the bearings x2 pinion, x2 carier, x2 axle's.
That will fix the whien. (spelling)

But as mentioned by others your better of with a good 2nd hand 3.45 ratio LSD. More fun. :

Good Luck.
Cheers Mick.

LOL. thanks mate, will do.

[5.0 ED]

Pursuit 250 - Yeah it will work putting the 2 piece cone and spider gear in, but its not exactly correct now is it, not to mention your then forcing a circlip in between both forcing the cone harder against the case, so if we can just force things tighter than why do they bother setting the preload correctly with shims.

[F6 R-Spec]

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

Pursuit 250 - Yeah it will work putting the 2 piece cone and spider gear in, but its not exactly correct now is it, not to mention your then forcing a circlip in between both forcing the cone harder against the case, so if we can just force things tighter than why do they bother setting the preload correctly with shims.

HAhahahahaha, the factory preaload as we no, is good for a blender.

hence the circlip slightly forcing the cone harder into the hat, when building them i ad 2-3 BTR LE front pump shims in between the side gear and cone wich gives you a nice and TIGHT LSD, a litle to tight at the start but in 3-4 weeks she is sweet as 18 YO. :

Cheers Mick.

[blueoval]

I have got in contact with a member who works at a wrecker and has a complete xr6 live axle diff with 3.45 ratio and LSD setup, axle to axle for $500 cash.

Is this good?

I can pick it up next week to be fitted.

[5.0 ED]

Sounds a tad expensive to me, i would have thought they would be more around $300-$400. But I don't exactly go around pricing them either. Along the same lines if its in excellent low km condition then it would be worth spurting some extra $$$ for.

[5.0 ED]

PURSUIT - 250 thats funny you say that about factory pre load, cause i have noticed in the AU"s its pretty loose but in earlier diff's it was much tighter.

[F6 R-Spec]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I have got in contact with a member who works at a wrecker and has a complete xr6 live axle diff with 3.45 ratio and LSD setup, axle to axle for $500 cash.

Is this good?

I can pick it up next week to be fitted.

It's not exactley CHEAP but it is about the price you would pay retail, as long as the diff has'nt done 400,000 k's, minimal back lash, not noisy and has NO metal partical's in the oil.

Cheers Mick.

[blueoval]

thanks fellas. I might take a member from SA to come with me to see what they think. I dont want to be ripped off if this item is a POS.