Floppy Diff and Prop Shaft Length

[Almac]

Hi all,

I've read some previous posts about excessive movement of rubber mounted diffs under high torque loading. So has anyone come up with a better solution than the standard Pilgrim/Ford arrangement? I'm particularly interested in alternatives to the standard Ford rear diff hanger (the one shaped like a big U-bolt filled with soft rubber). It not only seems too flexible but also tilts the diff upwards. :angry:

This all came to light when I tried to measure the length of prop shaft I needed made. Turns out the diff is angled upwards at about 5 degrees giving a 10mm difference in distance between the top and bottom of the diff flange and the gearbox output shaft (670mm from the top and 660mm from the bottom). Has anyone else found the same?

Now I know that the UJ will accommodate this - but I'd rather have it square to start with hence thoughts of killing 2 birds with 1 stone and designing a shorter, more solid rear diff hanger. Any thoughts?

Alan

[gwak76]

Alan

have a look at the bracket I made up for the rear diff mount, it uses poly bushes rather than rubber, and as you quite rightly pointed out corrects the diff gearbox alignment issue. As a matter of course replace the standard rubber bushes on the diff mounting bracket with poly and its as firm as you like, zilch vibration on a hard launh.
Whilst you are playing with the diff carrier beef it up with some additional metal, it can be a tad flexible if you abuse it too often.

[Almac]

Cheers Gary - this looks all together more substantial.

Just for clarity, (and if I can orientate the photos properly) you seem to have the chassis mounting bolts running from the boot vertical metal face, through the bushes and then through the new right angle brackets - correct? What are the bushes from and are they the same ones you used for the Pilgrim front mounting bracket?

Abuse could occur so I'd better get the welder to the front bracket as well.

Thanks again.

Alan

[gwak76]

Alan

you are quite right the bolts pass through the vertical panel in the boot, both these and the bolts holding the angle brackets have a 6mm plate fitted to spread the load. I must admit my photos are cr*p, even I cant figure them out.

Bushes for the home grown diff mount are Mk 4/5 cortina front wishbone bushes, Pilgrim diff carrier bushes are Cortina void bushes, not sure if they were front or rear off the top of my head. If you can measure bush hole in the carrier I can tell you which it is and a part number from the following supplier.

http://www.deflex.co.uk/cgi-bin/defl...deflexshop.cgi
Whats the fun if you dont abuse it

Pic of the top hat bushes, no problems fitting these fellows.

[Almac]

Ta!

BTW - nice background for the bushes!!

[gwak76]

Originally Posted by Almac

Ta!

BTW - nice background for the bushes!!

Only if you like Green