Front diff question

[drifter]

I have looked and searched - and want confirmation...

The 109" 2a I am restoring has a borked diff. I dropped the front prop shaft and I can move the driving flange a considerable distance in either direction before I feel it meeting any resistance. If I were to measure it at one of the bolt holes, it would be around 1" of movement overall.

I have a donor 88" 2a but I haven't checked the diff on that yet.

What I am wondering...

Can I just swap the complete diffs over and just replace the brake assemblies (I have new backing plates, shoes, slave cylinders for a 109" here) or should I just bite the bullet and haul out the axles, drop the diff and replace it with another one?

Apart from the brakes, is there any other difference between the two complete diff assemblies?

Thanks in advance.

[Timj]

Hi Drifter,

I just did a job on my S3 Game that proved to be not needed. I noticed the same sort of play so I pulled the swivel hubs and axles and took out the diff. I then checked it for backlash and it was well within tolerances so I put it all back in again. I think there is just so much combined play in things like hubs, universals and axle splines that it seems too much. Check the other diff first and you will probably see the same amount of play if it is all together. If every part was brand new it would probably be better but I am not sure.

TimJ.

[drifter]

Thanks Tim


John

[COFFEY76]

Hi,

Apart for brakes and things I think its a pretty stright swap.

My 2A has a SWB front axle. Been there for as long as its been in the family. It has the LWB drums on the front. Only thing is that when ordering new U bolts for the springs a SWB axle has one that is squareish rather than nice and curved....

[drifter]

:BigThumb: Thanks for that - appreciated.

[101RRS]

Hi there old fella - have you finally got around to doing some work on your project?;)

Garry

[drifter]

Hey! - yeah. Have been sanding and painting today - more little bits and pieces - floor panels and the like.

Toad and Toadette called in tonight on their way back from Sydney so he can confirm I actually have 2 Series 2's here in my front yard :)

We talked about a couple of options so that's all good.

[101RRS]

I actually have 2 Series 2's here in my front yard

I was beginning to think they were a bit of a myth.

Good to see you at it though.

Garry

[drifter]

Ta

Every time I look, though, I see more (expensive) bits I need to replace. It is very discouraging.

[COFFEY76]

Stick with it mate!

First thing i ever decided to buy for the car was a new door hinge. And ended about $5000 later...but i enjoy it SO much now.

[drifter]

Stick with it mate!

First thing i ever decided to buy for the car was a new door hinge. And ended about $5000 later...but i enjoy it SO much now.

Yeah - the door hinge would be easy - I need new doors! I am currently looking at some door tops from the UK - I suspect I have enough door bits to make 2 door bases...

Seats need replacing, too

I have all the brake bits I need - including the new master cylinder.

Steering isn't too bad - nothing a new relay won't fix...

or maybe the drop arm off the existing relay

In better news, the seat box was ripped out yesterday and the underneath has been cleaned, sanded, primed and first topcoat is currently drying...

[COFFEY76]

If your in Vic i recommend Darby's brake and Clutch if u are gonnna get your drums machined, they did mine and it stops better than a commodore. lol.

And if you decide to retro fit different seats into the truck, i used seats out of a rover Vittesse (to keep with the rover brand lol)

good luck