Thread: Making a MaxiDrive fit where it shouldn't

What is fouling on what exactly???

AFAIK MD rover carriers are ALL 3.54 type carriers. To fit a 4.7 crownwheel, you need to fit a spacer to the ring gear flange. To swap back, you just need to remove the flange spacer when refitting the 3.54 ring gear.

^^^^^x2

You haven't left the spacer on have you, their really isn't enough meat to machine the flange on the maxi unit, only enough to correct runout

Got a pic and I'm sure myself or Ben will spot the error

Thanks for the replies guys. This is one of the old maxidrives made back in 85. There was no spacer behind the 4.7 ring gear. So when i fit the 3.5 gear on it sits at the 4.7 offset which is why i'm looking into machining some parts. Will get a photo to post when i get home.

Ok,
I took a close look at the maxidrive today and I can't see any spacer on the flange. When I go to mount it into the carrier, the conical material just behind the bearing shown in the first diagram fouls against the carrier preventing the whole thing from fitting together. There is a little bit of a shadow on the ring gear flange about half way but I just think that's from machining and not an actual flange... is it?? We took a couple of taps at it with a hammer but it didn't separate. See what you think guys. Any help or suggestions would be great!

What's the thickness of the flange? and how much do you think you'll need to machine off it?, it looks like its got more meat on the flange than most of seen, although it could be the pic

The crown wheel, being hardened will need to be ground, not really machinable, with just a lathe...need a grinder......bench grinder

It look as though they've left the "spacer" on the carrier when its been machined, if you get my drift a non-removable spacer

I agree with rovercare's comments on the flange. Looks like Mal made some early 4.7:1 specific hemispheres.

Whatever you do DO NOT machine the ring-gear. You will have a non-standard ring gear and you will have to machine another if you ever break your existing one.

I would give Mal a call, he is usually more than happy to help, and can tell you everything you want to know about your locker. It may be possible for you to buy half the casing from him - rather than machine what you have.

I just measured the flange, it's 13mm so if I need to perhaps I can get enough out of that to make it fit together, however the bolts are recessed into the flange so hmm....I was comparing my original diff centre with the maxi and it seems like the flanges are offset by around 5mm or so (didn't take a measurement).

I have already called up the guys at maxi and they pretty well told me that there is nothing I can use and recommended a new kit at $2100 , no thanks. Mind you, I didn't speak to mal specifically about it. The bearings are also different sizes on this diff as well, the one on the locking dog side has a larger bearing which means I'm going to need to get my carrier milled to get it to fit. That will be first so I can determine how much material needs to be removed.

isuzurover, I think I could live with the ring gear being non standard, I picked up a complete banjo assembly with 3.5 gears in it for $80, mind you it is a little noisy (just fitted it today) but I could get its ring gear ground also to ensure I have a spare should I break my good one.

It's a pitty about the flange, I was pretty hopefull there was an easy way out!!

So how much do you need to machine off it????????

All the maxi's I've installed have different bearings on each side of the carrier and have been milled to suit, all I've installed have been second hand, or fitting 4.1's

Shame your not close by, I would donate a few 3.54 centres for spares to get ground for a few measly beers