Crownwheel and Pinion. Aftermarket or OEM?

[Spel1]

A question for the more experienced in this area please - regarding the quality of aftermarket versus OEM crownwheel and pinion.

I am getting a new ARB air locker fitted in the rear axle (D1 300TDI) and as my vehicle has 430K km do not want to use the old parts. I am getting all new bearings (Timken) and bolts, but have a choice of "Aftermarket" or OEM crownwheel and pinion, with a difference of about $100. Staying with stock ratio as it works for me. I will spend the extra if its worthwhile, given the expense of the rest of the job its not a big portion, but every bit counts. Just wanted to get another opinion on the matter.

At this time I am unaware of which company's wrapper the aftermarket might be in or where its from, some calls are being made by my parts supplier to try and find out before I commit.

Thanks in advance.

[loanrangie]

Unless the C&P is worn beyond factory limits i'd just re use it, otherwise almost anything other than Britpart should be ok - Bearmach if available would be my choice for aftermarket.

[Vern]

What about axles? They are made of cheese you know

[loanrangie]

What about axles? They are made of cheese you know

I must have hard cheese then, never had a breakage in 20 years.

[Vern]

Yeah but are you running a locker?

[Spel1]

A friend of mine has been running front and rear lockers also for years with no breakage. I will get to axles eventually but first the diff. From my experience, the only time I broke/sheared an axle is when it was allowed to spin wildly then stop immediately (in a near rollover after a sideswipe accident). With a locker both axles are going steadily at the same time so sharing the shear load, got to help. But, my question was about diff bits. I am as loanrangie suggested tempted to look at my current crownwheel and pinion and see if they are OK, but, I can't be without my vehicle for more than a day, so the only option is to have the parts at hand - and if so which ones? When I get to the front at least I will have options.

[Vern]

Sorry when you said you were replacing everything in the diff, I was wondering if you were doing axles as well. Interested to see how long they last when being used hard!?. Have you looked at ashcrofts for h/duty crown wheel and pinion? I have this in the front, much bigger and stronger.☺

[Spel1]

Have you looked at ashcrofts for h/duty crown wheel and pinion? I have this in the front, much bigger and stronger.☺

I have not, and will look at it thanks. Did not know heavy duty options were available. I don't as a rule go places just for the challenge, but am doing this for a couple of reasons. I travel a lot solo, so is nice to have the knowledge that the traction will be available, but also because I'm feeling that the driveline is needing work. The backlash between D and R sounds like I just crashed into something, so there is wear in there. This is as good a place as any to start, its a good excuse for an upgrade anyway.

[Vern]

Have a look at you drive flanges for wear in regards to the backlash.
Ashcrofts might end up cheaper than local, they make a great product and are great to deal with.

[Spel1]

I have new drive flanges at the front, hasn't changed things much. The rears are part of the axle aren't they.

Anyway, just looked at Ashcrofts for HD ring and pinion. Cost is OK, but I'd have to do front and rear at the same time as the HD are a slightly different ratio, 3.5-1 as opposed to 3.54-1. That's not a budget option.

[Vern]

There is a bit of talk about that on here, I even think ashcrofts themselves pipe up, the .04 difference is negligible. I have 3.5 front, 3.54 rear, can't notice it. Search on here for Ashcroft h/duty ring and pinion.

[Spel1]

How did you go with noise? - after a quick scan, and even on the Ashcofts site - noise / whine is supposed to be increased. One guy even had to have gears lapped to make the noise bearable, but granted that was in a different ratio.

[Vern]

Didn't know about the noise! Can't tell the difference, but I do have an isuzu motor :D

[fitzy]

Awhile ago I tried three different sets of aftermarket 4.11 diff gears they all broke easily .
I returned to stock gears and have twisted two maxi drive axles without a ring gear failure.
I think Ashcroft realised that as well and are making their gears differently now.
Food for thought.

[Vern]

Awhile ago I tried three different sets of aftermarket 4.11 diff gears they all broke easily .
I returned to stock gears and have twisted two maxi drive axles without a ring gear failure.
I think Ashcroft realised that as well and are making their gears differently now.
Food for thought.

I did read that as well, I also think they have changed materials?

[Vern]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/105860-new-ashcroft-ring-pinions.html

Here you go spel1:)

[fitzy]

Ian you drive more sensibly than me though.

[Spel1]

Thanks for all your input, certainly gave me options and a solution.

Based on the discussion I sent an email to Dave Ashcroft. The question I asked him was that I needed a good quality standard ratio ring and pinion - that I was not going to use it for competition, mainly for touring but with the knowlegde it would not break if I did do the odd demanding bit of driving. I did say I coud be prepared to go HD 3.5 but with one stipulation, in regards to noise, was that I did not want any more than I have now - which as standard is basically zero. (I drive all the time, and for the 90% use I have on the street it would just annoy me too much - or harsher words may be more appropriate).

His answer is as following.

The HD 3.5's may be overkill for you,
Our stock 3.54's are ok but we also have in stock the latest genuine ground 3.54 version which are not much more expensive at £125, this would be the best bet in terms of noise and strength,
The ground tooth profile is a little different on these and on some early casings we have had the crown wheel foul the casing as the OD is a little bigger but this is easily resolved in 2 mins with a grinder,
Regards
Dave Ashcroft

So, on the basis of that I have ordered the new version Ashcroft stock 3.54. Shipped its roughly $325, which is $35 more than Britpart, and $65 less than local OEM. I would have liked to purchase local (and for all the other bits I did), but for decent stuff like this at a reasonable price I think this is a good compromise.

[Vern]

Ashcrofts are basically local:)
I think you have definitely made the right choice

[Vern]

Pretty sure the 300tdi axles are 24 spline.
Good idea about the spare diff centre, would make it easier.