Thread: Rear diff disappointment again

Originally Posted by wagoo

OIL?
Oh I dont think they put oil in them anymore Arthur.Too many complaints over the decades about leaks
Wagoo.

Hi all,

I've heard a lot of comments about the rear diffs on pumas being noisy, weak, etc. Has anyone out there had a failure/problem yet that's stopped them? Or is noise the majority of issues?

Cheers,
Chris

noisy is the main issue.

Originally Posted by dullbird

noisy is the main issue

x2.

It's been a problem since they were introduced with the TD5. I had it when new in 2003, and it was a hot topic of conversation then.

Not sure if/why this seems to be worse with Pumas. Could it just be that with Puma's being quieter, the noise is more obvious?

Regards
Max P

Originally Posted by Tusker

x2.

It's been a problem since they were introduced with the TD5. I had it when new in 2003, and it was a hot topic of conversation then.

Not sure if/why this seems to be worse with Pumas. Could it just be that with Puma's being quieter, the noise is more obvious?

Regards
Max P

Thanks Max,

What did you do with your new TD5 when it was making noise? Is your diff still going strong?

Cheers,
Chris

Originally Posted by gitney

Thanks Max,

What did you do with your new TD5 when it was making noise? Is your diff still going strong?

Cheers,
Chris

Cursed & swore a lot.

It was pretty clear then the std item wasn't up to the task. Aftermarket CW&P's didn't solve it. Lockers just made things worse. Ripped crown wheel teeth out at the root.

After the 3rd or 4th breakage, I gave up & went Salisbury.

They usually broke snatching someone else. And I've never broken a snatch strap. Why the P38A diff was weaker than a strap remains mystery.

By contrast, the front diff centre, with 450,000 kms up, is still going strong. When lockers went in, this centre from my old Disco was swapped over.

No problems now.

Regards
Max P

Originally Posted by Tusker

Why the P38A diff was weaker than a strap remains mystery.

I have seen many rover rear CW&Ps break while doing snatch recoveries. I have never seen a snatch strap break (unless it was damaged to start with).

No surprises here.

Originally Posted by ashtrans

Hi,

yes the salisbury is the easiest upgrade but they have their disadvantages :

heavy
getting scarce
lower ground clearance
hard to rebuild

the force 9 axle has taken us a long time to develop and is nearing completion and we have learn't a lot along the way, as soon as this is out the way which will be very soon, with the stuff we have learn't and the new fancy CNC mill arriving next week would make this project quite feasible.

I have not decided 100% yet to make it but I can see how to do it in my head and if there's market demand which I think there is then yes I think it would be good, may also sell to the military market as they also have similar problems with these axles,

I'll have one for a 2003 Defender 130 thanks, let me know if I can pre-order. I'd be happy for you to use mine as a tester. Got a ball park figure?

Originally Posted by Xtreme

I don't really think that is a valid factor as there are plenty of Td5's that are just as or more powerful (having been chipped etc.) than a standard Puma and are not having diff problems. Also, I know of numerous Puma's that arn't driven hard but are still experiencing diff problems.

I would still love to know what the difference is though. Maybe, as Lou suggested above, it is just a quality control issue.
JC is also suggesting lack of quality control (crown wheel/pinion etc) and/or materials.

It seems that with a very very marginal design to start with, if everything else is not spot on then you are assured of trouble.

My Td5 130 is a little worked and is suffering exactly these issues. Lot's of noise, though when I pulled the diff out it seemed to have minimal wear. I would feel much better with a noise free diff that I felt I could rely upon.

I'll take one of Dave's new upgraded diff for sure. I've been looking for a sals to replace mine with but as mentioned they also have their cons.