Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Front Diff swap. Manual D3
I've been hearing some noises from the D3 recently. A very faint grumble with power on, and a bit of a whine on overrun. Having read all the threads about front differentials on here, I decided to drain the front diff oil last weekend, just to see. This is what I found
Mag plug like a Christmas tree, and glittery oil!
So I refilled the (clearly knackered) diff with the oil I had to hand, a bit of 75W90 Syntrax, a bit of 75W80 noname, and some molyslip, put the plug in and went to look on Beay for a spare diff.
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I bought a used diff from a seller in Devon, 3.07 ratio for a manual D3, for £175 delivered. It was delivered on a pallet next day, which I thought was pretty good service.
I imagined this diff, for very little money, would definitely need new bearings before I put it in. It feels ok, but just to be sure.
I just opened it up, and I find the bearings are immaculate!
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So what now, Put this seemingly good diff in and just use it, or, put it in as a temporary measure, re-build my original diff, then swap back again?
Ideas please..Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
8th Jun 2018 9:36 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13906
I'd put this diff in and use it. Keep the other because you can get it rebuilt should you need to.New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
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231,000 miles and counting
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8th Jun 2018 10:19 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
if your happy with the way it drives, it may as well stay in there!
9th Jun 2018 9:31 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Diff re-assembled, ready to swap on Saturday!
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
20th Jun 2018 8:25 pm
Wyn
Member Since: 15 Jun 2015
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 56
When i swapped mine i thought i could get away with reusing the propshaft bolts . They started to shear off before they were anywhere near tight.
Make sure you have new ones to fit.
20th Jun 2018 9:02 pm
RickyAtHere
Member Since: 05 May 2018
Location: Alberta
Posts: 37
Is the swapping so hard for working on the floor in the garage? Mine starts has some noise ...and I drained the gear oil two weeks ago, both of the plug and oil have a bit of shining stuffs, one of the axel has some play, seems like a bearing is on it's way out. I also the checked the rear diff cause it has little whining noise when coasting and getting a bit louder this year, no plays what's so ever, I may just tight the pinion nut a bit more and have a try.
24th Feb 2019 5:53 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Easily doable at home on the garage floor. That's where I did mine.
It probably won't be the pinion bearings. More likely the diff carrier bearings, know failure point.
Tightening the pinion nut won't help.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
24th Feb 2019 11:08 am
Dazz360
Member Since: 03 Sep 2016
Location: West Mids Walsall
Posts: 871
Nice job, what price are the bearings ?Metal auto sump & fluid change (3 hrs)
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Tinted Bonnet wind deflector (10 mins)
All Intercooler pipes and Tbolts (2hrs)
3 injectors replaced so far (30mins)
Sunroof drain pipes both sides 2.5 hrs)
Rear discs, shoes,pads,callipers,flexi hoses, rigid brake line, n/s upper hub carrier bush and rear n/s upper arm (13hrs over 2 days)
24th Feb 2019 11:44 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Don't know. I didn't have to buy any yet. Advanced Factors keep them I think.
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
24th Feb 2019 11:58 am
RickyAtHere
Member Since: 05 May 2018
Location: Alberta
Posts: 37
rrhool wrote:
Easily doable at home on the garage floor. That's where I did mine.
It probably won't be the pinion bearings. More likely the diff carrier bearings, know failure point.
Tightening the pinion nut won't help.
Then I would do the swapping on my back when it's getting warmer here
As for the rear diff, I am quite confused now actually, the oil is clean in it, no plays what's so ever, but whining when coasting, could'd hear a thing with gas, sounds pretty like the typical pinion bearing preload issue...but I never saw a D3 with pinion bearing preload issue
Would check the oil in the rear diff a few months later.
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. They started to shear off before they were anywhere near tight.
