Ford live axle - Dif preload

[allen]

English live axle - I am fitting an anglia dif flange in place of the escort one. There is a crushable tube that provides the pre load. The manual sugests using a spring balance to do a pull test before removal. Gradually re-tightening to same reading. As the replacement flange is a smaller diameter (sole reason for fitting it) this will not work properly, neither will marking the position of the secureing nut.

 

If I lock up the dif and undo the nut with a torque wrench and reassemble to the same torque reading surely that will do the same thing?

 

Reassurance needed.

 

allen

[STEVE GILBERT]

According to my old Haynes(when they used to tell you how to do stuff) it's 22-23lbf in. Peen over the nut as well of course(I used a chisel)after it is done The nut can be reused on up to 6 occasions. I did one recently and to be sure I measured the backlash with a feeler guage on a given part of the mesh, before i dismantled it, then kept checking it as i torqued it up. Once the tube is crushed it cant be uncrushed so do it up a tiny bit at a time and keep checking the backlash(stated for Timkin as 0.005- 0.007 in)

[STEVE GILBERT]

Double posting so edited to say Have fun! and nice to see someone as tight as me!

 

Edited by - steve gilbert on 4 May 2002 15:08:26

[allen]

Thanks Steve, will let you know how I get on - IMHO very little in the 7 mechanicing line is actual rocket science, and If I think I can do it myself I roll up my sleeved and get stuck in - I am not a tight bastard - I just have a finite amount of cash to spend on my toy and prefer to spend that on parts, not labour ;) (alright, it's a fair cop, I am tight wad).

 

allen

[STEVE GILBERT]

Exactly where Im coming from, Im sure it will work out fine. I also made the gasket for the diff/axle case from a cornflake box. Well you didnt expect me to buy one did you?

[deanteam]

I was told that just silicone is best for the diff-axle seal, now that is tight!

[MARK WARREN]

Allen, A tip which may help is to grind a small amount off the 'nose' of the diff case, this will prevent the prop shaft / flange nylocks fouling the case. It is tidier to have the nylocks towards the rear of the car. Also on the diff case put washers under the banjo retaining nuts, this brings the nuts foward and allows a better fitting of the socket when tightening.Good luck. Mark.

[Tonycaterham]

allen,

 

I am about to go down the same route and am in the process of buying a Escort MKII back axle with brakes and a 3.9 diff.

 

I am going to get all the brackets welded on by a local machine shop using my ital axle as a template. I suspect I will have to source an anglia diff flange, ans will also need to get the prop modded, but I am also told on my '98 chassis that mods will be needed to the transmission tunnel. Is this what you have found?

 

Tony

[allen]

Thanks for the advice Mark.

 

Tony,

 

Can't answer the chasis question, my setup is so non-standard anyway, 5 link rear suspension, no A frame(I already had the axle fitted), I am changing the dif ratio anyway and want to improve clearance at the front.

 

Incidentally, dif flanges are available freshly made from W*******d Sports Cars at fifty odd quid. Should you need the yoke piece to modify the propshaft to suit the anglia dif flange - I have a spare, yours for twenty quid?

 

Allen

[MARK WARREN]

Tony, When I built my live axle in 1998 the chassis tunnel, drivers side, was made a cm or so wider at the rear most point. Arch motors ( they build all the chassis for Caterham ) did all the brackets etc on my Ford Escort axle, they may advise on the tunnel mod.If you live anywhere near Sheffield there is a really good 'prop shaft ' workshop in the Ecclesfield area. If interested I will search for their details. Good luck, Mark.