Removing De dion tube & Diff

[I reply to every thread]

I did ask EFA but was half asleep.

 

Basic order for doing the above please -any pitfalls?

[Ray Pearce]

When I replaced my diff I followed the excellent instructions (with pictures) on Myles' website here

 

 

[charlie_pank]

I think it may be different when removing De-dion and diff together.

 

I'd offer the benefit of my own experience on this but I've never taken the tube out, only the diff and the half-shafts.

 

back here because I want to be.

[Irrelevant]

Easy peasey . . . .

 

Undo prop bolts.

Calipers off, cable tie to dampers.

Ears off.

Remove hubs/driveshafts.

Undo dampers at bottom and remove A frame.

Pull dedion out (unclip brake pipes/wires and obvious stuff like that).

Take rear ARB off.

Remove diff.

 

Simples

 

Yes you can do it with the A frame bent forward (you need the car high though) and you don't have to remove the ARB (it's just easier if you do).

 

Reassembly . . .pretty must a reverse of taking apart. Just make sure the lower damper bolts go in straight (if you have underslung mounts) as you don't want to be cross-threading them. Also, on an s3, make sure the diff input flange is lined up with the prop bolts as with some cars you can get the diff in and then find it impossible to mate the prop up to the diff (no space to twist the prop UJ once the diff is on).

 

 

BTW: I may have forgotten something that is important.

 

 

 

Edited by - Epimetheus on 22 Mar 2010 13:25:37

[charlie_pank]

It's possible to do it with the diff still attached to the de-dion tube. Then you don't have to remove the calipers etc...

 

back here because I want to be.

[Gridgway]

I always keep the spacing washers from each side of the diff together IYSWIM. You still have to measure when you put it back in, but it should be centralised (if it was before of course!).

 

Graham

[EFA]

Charlie is quite correct.

 

If you are clever, really clever; cleverer than me, you can get it out like this: here

 

This is how Bruces brother (I forget his name) at Arch removed the rear axle from my car about 10 years ago.

 

I never tried copying him.....

[Gridgway]

gulp, that's clever! Was the diff supported from above on a hoist?

Graham

[Irrelevant]

This is how Bruces brother (I forget his name) at Arch removed the rear axle from my car about 10 years ago

 

I think Bruce's brother's name is Vishnu . . . haven't a clue how you'd manage it otherwise

[Tony Whitley]

Class! 😬