I bought a Sierra diff complete with drive-shafts etc on e-bay and have now removed the shafts and de-greased the diff casing.
Before painting should I remove the rear cover and give it a visual inspection (what would I look for) and is it worth replacing any seals?
Is there anything else you'd suggest doing or do I just paint it and sort any problems once the car is built?
John.
it depends on its age and condition but id check the seals and replace any if necessary. i also think its a good idea to get all the oil out and replace it when its in the car, as the colour of mine wasnt exactly encouraging... then either spray it or hammerite it id say.
Hi there
I cleaned the diff, took the backplate off for a visual inspection / cleaned and replaced the oil seals, here is what it looked like after painted.
Cheers
Ian
P.S. Diff seals from:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIERRA-7in-7-5in-DIFF-OIL-SEAL-KIT-inc-COSWORTH_W0QQitemZ220032734051QQihZ012QQcategoryZ21654QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt
em
Rescued attachment Diff.JPG
Are the seals difficult to replace?
Do you need any special tools?
Hi there
No special tools required (just circlip pliers for the output shafts if running with bolt on (Lobro) CV joints and not too hard to replace.
All the seals are a push fit, though for the output shafts that connect to the halfshafts. Before you remove these seals, you will need to measure the
distance they have been pushed in, so that you can push the new seals in to the same place.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Ian
Thanks for the advice.
For the cost involved I'll change the seals and hopefully avoid any problems later.
quote:
Originally posted by mackei23b
Hi there
No special tools required (just circlip pliers for the output shafts if running with bolt on (Lobro) CV joints and not too hard to replace.
All the seals are a push fit, though for the output shafts that connect to the halfshafts. Before you remove these seals, you will need to measure the distance they have been pushed in, so that you can push the new seals in to the same place.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Ian
The seals are pushed in 10-11mm from the outside edge of the diff.
The filler plugs corrode into the diff nicely. I had a 3' breaker bar and allen key socket on mine, and even resorted to an impact wrench, but
nothing moved it. In the end i used a big cold chisel and a 2lb hammer to undo the plug. Just be careful not to smash the diff cover as its not that
thick. I could have undone it with the 600Nm torque wrench i borrowed from work, but didnt have it at the time... 
David
The filler plug budged at 70NM 
thank goodness I borrowed a big torque wrench from a previous employer some years ago.
Half way through the job, I stopped to watch 5th Gear. Why exactly did I bother?