Metric v Imperial diffs

[bigfatsi]

I'm about to replace the knackered diff from my 90 with one I have bought out of a RRC. Now I thought they would be a direct swap but when I was reading and ad on eblag, they claimed there are different carrier bearings (whatever the hell they are) I can see that the oil filler is on the side on the RR one but thought nothing of it. Am I stuffed here or will they swap?    Not happy.

Simon.

[jjsaul]

if the filler plug is in the diff casing then its imperial, if its in the axle casing oinly its metric....

and apparently they arent interchangeable unless you swap halfshafts etc as well (anyone feel free to correct / back up what im saying cos im not 100%)

[Xtremeteam]

imperial & metric are both 10 spline so it will fit in the hole,the problem arises IIRC if you fit a metric diff into a imperial casing as then u have no way of filling with oil the imperial one should go straight into your truck with no probs

[bigfatsi]

Well it's in and it drives. Looking good so far!

Simon.

[rollazuki]

Diff carrier bearings are a different size. Ive got a few spare diffs with both sizes of bearings, and the older ones are of a smaller size. No idea what the size is, but they are different. However they are both interchangeable as a unit, an older 10 spline diff will fit into a newer axle, but the bearings in the carrier clearly arent interchangeable.

[bigfatsi]

Someone has sown the seed of doubt that the diff I've put in my 90 is wrong. They said that they are different ratios and can't be interchanged. I'm only wondering as when on wet grass or mud it feels like the back of the car is trying to make it go like a crab. On the slightest gradient the back will slide as if it's trying to swap with the front. There is nothing untoward on the road. Now could this just be because the rear has less tread (swapped from fronts) or could it be the diff. Anyone ever heard of anything liek this before?

Simon.

[Xtremeteam]

if its out a RRC then it should be the same ratio as all coil sprung motors had a 3.54 diff as standard,as it stands i fitted a brand new imperial diff to a 90 today & its going fine

[graham2306]

I had no oil filler on my series III after putting a front diff in the rear axle.  Was easy enough to jack it up on one side, pop out a half shaft and fill it from there.

Not sure that modern axles are as easy to pop shafts out of and it certainly aint that easy if you are talking about a front diff.

Graham

[Xtremeteam]

all the coilsprung motors had a filler plug of some sorts in the axles appart from the early rangies,so fitting an early diff into a later motor isnt a problem,fitting a late diff into an early motor is but thats no the issue here

[bullfrog]

I would imagine you could undo a breather and fill via that if really stuck !

[bigfatsi]

Went to Weardale today and it was fine so I guess I was just getting a little paranoid. It seems to lock up at the back first though which is a bit worrying. Guess I'm gonna have to have a closer look at this before I venture out again.   And the handbrake isn't holding it. And I bent the sills. And it's blowing blue smoke. And it needs a wash... Don't ya love being a Landy owner!?  :twisted:

Simon.