Diff dramas

[abl567]

The story starts before Christmas last year, this may be a bit long winded.
#2723 had a slight whine from the driveline under power from the day 1, after about 18 months and a full throttle blast across an intersection this developed into a rumble under power and I could no longer start the car in park, only reverse. everything pointed to broken down engine, subframe and trans mounts allowing the engine and trans to move around when driven.
I replaced the abovementioned rubber bits (at the right price from Tom Hanson at the Classic centre) drove down the street enjoying the tight new feel from the front end, heard a thump from underneath then a vibration.
I drained the sump and the first thing out was a piece of pinion tooth end of the road for that one
I explored every option available to me and purchased a reconditioned rear axle from a firm in VIC.
Someone we all know well installed it for me, worked beyond and above the call of duty and did a great job.

120 odd miles of driving, it felt like a new car! and bang again, this time the rear locked up through a mini roundabout and shuddered to a halt
I managed to limp home 100m or so, drained out $300 worth of MB LSD diff oil and along with the small gear bits in the oil found this peeking through the drain hole

I believe it to be a bevel gear from the diff spider that has dropped off.
I have a warranty on the reco diff and have contacted the vendor with positive reactions so far, here is hoping it all remains positive.

 

[SELfor50]

The story starts before Christmas last year, this may be a bit long winded.
#2723 had a slight whine from the driveline under power from the day 1, after about 18 months and a full throttle blast across an intersection this developed into a rumble under power and I could no longer start the car in park, only reverse. everything pointed to broken down engine, subframe and trans mounts allowing the engine and trans to move around when driven.
I replaced the abovementioned rubber bits (at the right price from Tom Hanson at the Classic centre) drove down the street enjoying the tight new feel from the front end, heard a thump from underneath then a vibration.
I drained the sump and the first thing out was a piece of pinion tooth end of the road for that one
I explored every option available to me and purchased a reconditioned rear axle from a firm in VIC.
Someone we all know well installed it for me, worked beyond and above the call of duty and did a great job.

120 odd miles of driving, it felt like a new car! and bang again, this time the rear locked up through a mini roundabout and shuddered to a halt
I managed to limp home 100m or so, drained out $300 worth of MB LSD diff oil and along with the small gear bits in the oil found this peeking through the drain hole

I believe it to be a bevel gear from the diff spider that has dropped off.
I have a warranty on the reco diff and have contacted the vendor with positive reactions so far, here is hoping it all remains positive.

Gotta be something up with that dude... that's too many 'co-incidences'!
Maybe you have a rare super-powerful 6.9 that the diff's just can't handle...

In all seriousness though, if it's done that to a couple diffs, i'd start looking at the rest of the setup.
OR, maybe the reco diff just wasn't reco'd properly?!

Not sure what you paid for the reco diff, but it'd be worth talking to ASV Europarts in sydney, if you need details I think they're in the suppliers section. Call Paul (recommended by Mercules). They're very good on price for reco'd gear.
That's assuming the warranty replacement follows the same line...

Cam2.

 

[s class]

I cant see the photos?

 

[Michel]

These are the pics in order of appearance.

 

[abl567]

I have a 6.3 not a 6.9 and we all know how much more powerfull a 6.3 is

I'm quite sure the reco diff was simply not put together properly in the first place as it failed on a trailing throttle not under power.

 

[Styria]

Hi abl567, that's absolutely heart breaking as well as gut wrenching. 6.3 differential assemblies are not easy to come by, and it is even more difficult to find a competent assembler that's prepared to do the job on a 108/109 chassis cars.

I once paid someone $800.00 to set up an assembly and I can still hear his complaints today. Anyone else STARTS at $1000.00, or you get a simple NO, NOT INTERESTED. If I can help in any way, please let me know. Best Regards Styria

 

[abl567]

Thanks Styria,
At this stage I'm hoping to have the repair done in Sydney at their cost but I fear it is a false hope. As soon as I hear back from the supplier I can start making plans.
One thing for sure the smell of gear oil in my garage is really starting to bug me

 

[abl567]

Progress!
The owner of the company that sold me the diff has agreed to come to Sydney and repair the diff himself. This is much better option for me than sending it back to Melbourne for a refund and solves the problem with the least damage to both parties.

This way we can both see for ourselves how and why it failed, the vendor can be satisfied it is a genuine warranty claim and I have my car back on the road with the reconditioned diff I paid for.

I was a little concerned come Thursday as the vendor was starting to suggest things like "been putting the boot into it" and "how do I know that is the diff I sold you". Thankfully Friday he agreed to come to Sydney to do the repair. I offered any parts he needed of my old diff which I think helped soften the blow.

The fact that I had taken photos during the replacement proved invaluable in getting my point across and supporting my claim.
I'm hoping to have the work done next week and will report back.

Totally of topic, here are some pics of my new toy, a brand spankers 8 colour TAS screen printing machine.
Now to get it to work and pay for itself!

 

[John S]

A very impressive machine abl567, does it print thermoplastic paints as the wires and controls seem to indicate?

 

[abl567]

Yes John, we call them inks

 

[John S]

abl567 you are absolutely correct, thanks for reviving memories as I have been out of the business too long. I assume you are using it for specials and promotional items.

 

[abl567]

Hi John,
At times I think I have been IN the business too long, then I remember it supports my family, and 6.3 habit
We print mostly promotional items, the bread and butter, with the odd interesting job thrown in. The Top Klasse polos a prime example. Styria has limited stock for a paltry $38 each in a range of sizes. Quality and value

 

[abl567]

Things are moving forward, sort of, the axle is out of the car and apart.

The bevel gear has taken out the crown wheel and pinion and the smaller metal has damaged the pinion bearing as well.

As the chap doing the repair is using borrowed workshop space he is shipping the diff back to Melbourne to have it repaired and set up.

I'm so far confident that this will turn out well but it is a little unsettling to have my car at a workshop on the other side of the city that I have never been to and are really not accountable to me in any way and the very hard to get rear axle on its way to another state with a fellow I've never met

I must add that both parties have been easily contactable and have given the impression that they are responsible for my car while it is in their possesion, Assuming a positive outcome I'll be telling anyone who will listen how fantastic they are.

 

[abl567]

Well I picked up #2723 on Sunday as the "repairer" found another axle to replace the broken one.

While it is nice to have the car back I'm not at all satisfied with the level of noise from this axle, it is obviously very very second hand.

I've emailed the vendor and are waiting for a reply. If I don't have a reply by close of business today it's off to fair trading we go

Anyone here know of a good diff specialist in Sydney?

Update, I have spoken to the vendor this morning and he is organising to have the diff put right here in Sydney at his cost by an independent MB specialist.

I shall no doubt bore you all with the outcome.

 

[SELfor50]

Well I picked up #2723 on Sunday as the "repairer" found another axle to replace the broken one.

While it is nice to have the car back I'm not at all satisfied with the level of noise from this axle, it is obviously very very second hand.

I've emailed the vendor and are waiting for a reply. If I don't have a reply by close of business today it's off to fair trading we go

Anyone here know of a good diff specialist in Sydney?

Update, I have spoken to the vendor this morning and he is organising to have the diff put right here in Sydney at his cost by an independent MB specialist.

I shall no doubt bore you all with the outcome.

I know that canberra is a hike, but M&A engineering down here are f*kn top notch diff specialists!! I will be getting any future diff work done through them. Might be worth giving them a call, or if you like I can enquire for you. Could be worth the trip.

 

[abl567]

The story starts again

I'll deliver my car on Saturday for the diff repair, they intend to adjust the pinion bearing to eliminate the noise, any thoughts on the possible outcome?

I'm going to have them replace my flex disc at the same time, I have the part here and figure that this makes both parties fully accountable, and the fact that I don't have to do it myself

Again I'll go off topic, some pics my children and my new TAS

It is beautifully built and engineered, the machine not the children

And it is made in Australia







We are up to 13,000 prints already.

 

[Styria]

Hi abl567, any update on your diff. situation ? Tightening the pinion nut CAN remove whining from the unit under certain circumstances, but if you have rumbles and undue noises, I am not so sure.

The point to remember is the warranty period, the amount of money you paid and the fact that it is, or is supposed to be, a RECONDITIONED unit.

6.3 diffs. and other associated components of the rear axle, are becoming increasingly difficult to service and/or recondition. You can insist on new bushes and bearings throughout, as well as new seals. You can also insist on new kits for the rear axle floating stabilizers and new rubber 'O' rings. Some of these are items that should be NEW when diffs are rebuilt. I tend to think that right now you have a used unit that you have purchased, although I am in no position to offer a qualified or authritiative opinion on the subject matter.

Just be careful that you get value for what you have paid for. Good luck with it. Regards Styria

 

[abl567]

Hi Styria,
#2723 is off to the workshop today to have the diff sorted out.
I have tried to be as patient and reasonable as possible but at the end of the day want a reconditioned rear axle.
I suspect I'll be making a claim for a refund or some compensation in the near future, I'll see how things are when I get it back.

 

[abl567]

Well I picked #2723 up today after having the Flex Disk replaced and the pinion bearing torqued up a bit.

While the diff noise is slightly reduced it is far from where it should be so the saga continues.

Hey, it gives me something to post about

The good news is that the replacement of the flex disk has improved the refinement of the car which no doubt highlights the diff noise, also my tactic of paying the shop to replace said flex disk made me his customer so I'm now privy to a few more facts that reinforce my position.

I should explain that the shop where the work was carried out is independant of the vendor of the diff, the owner of the shop is simply a bloody nice guy who offered workshop space to a guy he had never met.

It appears the pinion bearing in the diff now fitted needs to be replaced, along with the side bearings as a routine replacement part when doing this job.

The vendor has always insisted that I must be satisfied with the result so I'll keep at it, comments from both the vendor and shop owner have given me confidence so far that the problem will be sorted out in due course.

The shop owner who did the work today said he would have no problem driving it other than the noise bothering him so drive it I will, just not to Perth

Stay tuned!

 

[abl567]

Finally the chap who supplied me the rear axle has agreed to have the axle that is now in the car reconditioned with all new bearings and seals at his expense.

I'll be supplying the bearings and seals from the Classic Centre so I know that genuine parts are being fitted and he will pick up the bill!

This way I have warranty from the diff rebuilder and the reconditioned axle I paid for.

I'm out of pocket for two tow truck rides to the city and the bloody expensive MB diff oil, but I'll put that down to experience.

I figure great people I've met and knowledge I've gained during this exercise more than compensates for the monetry loss