diff bearing shim thickness

jez1272gt · November 11, 2009, 04:53:49 PM

hi there,

Just wondered if anyone could put my mind at rest as ive been putting my Quaife diff in today and uncertained of the measurement ive come up with for the fitted washer.

Ive fitted the new bearings to the diff, the new races into the gearbox casing with the 1mm shim in place and the clutch hosuing one without one at all. Rebolted the housings up nice and tight and put the DTI gauge on securely. The shims are home and square nicely as are the actual bearings on the diff.

I only have 0.7mm free play meaning that i only need a 1mm (0.7+0.3mm)washer?!,

is this possible as i have looked at ETKA and notice they only start from 1.4mm after the 1mm gearbox casing shim?

??

Has anyone ever had such little free play as this before when replacing an afternarket diff???

Any input would be helpfull thanks

Jez

jez1272gt · November 11, 2009, 05:52:21 PM

just thought i would add im using bearings from VW so they should be perfect size!

Nick_S · November 11, 2009, 07:03:41 PM

Did you shove upwards as hard as you can? You'd be surprised how much the dial swings when the diff feels seated, but you push that bit harder!

jez1272gt · November 11, 2009, 07:10:06 PM

Yeah i was giving it a bloody good push and it was definately right up there as far as it would go.

Made sure it was going up nice and square too!

hayesey · November 11, 2009, 07:22:22 PM

well if you've measured it over and over and it comes out at that time each time then just use a 1mm shim. Obviously the shims vw sell will be to suit their known sizes & tolerances of the standard diffs, I guess the quaife is a bit thicker. but yeah make sure you're pushing it properly and that the gauge stylus is touching against the diff before moving it up (and that the diff is pushed down fully).

jez1272gt · November 11, 2009, 07:31:33 PM

Yeah i have checked it over and over and over. Even split the box and double checked everything and went again, still 0.7mm. Both races are flush and flat, both bearings on the diff are flush and flat, the two 'box casing halves are flush together and bolted firmly...

Must be correct but i was hoping someone could tell me that this was possible from their experince just to re-assure me

I have ordered the 1mm anyway so ill put that in tomorow when it arrives and see how she looks. Should there be any movement at all from the diff once all assembled correctly with both shims in place?

Cheers guys

hayesey · November 11, 2009, 09:09:39 PM

no it'll be tight once it's together with the shim in place.

jez1272gt · November 12, 2009, 10:58:41 AM

Thanks for the replies lads. I'll give it a go with the 1mm shim in place and see how she goes!

jez1272gt · November 15, 2009, 06:50:40 PM

Just a quick update on this...

All sorted now. The problem was a doggy bearing. Didnt look like it had been machined very well on one of the faces when you looked closely. Ordered another from the dealership and went agian. 1.35mm so a 1.65mm shim has done the job!

Thanks for the input guys

Cheers

hayesey · November 15, 2009, 08:51:49 PM

hmm that's interesting! Good job you found out though.