Rear Axle change

[mills651]

Hi all
Great forum just joined after much browsing. I have a 2003 2.7 and the rear diff is shot. I have a replacement axle but it has the older diff fitted (without the ring of bolts on the rear) is there any difference apart from oil capacity and can I just replace the whole axle.
Many thanks Steve

 

[Madmark]

Abs on either

 

[Fez_uk]

Is there ABS on the rear axles? never really questioned it.

 

[emjaybee]

Welcome to the forum!

:thumb2

I have no experience with this, but I'm sure someone will be able to help you.

:thumbs

 

[Banshee]

Hi all
Great forum just joined after much browsing. I have a 2003 2.7 and the rear diff is shot. I have a replacement axle but it has the older diff fitted (without the ring of bolts on the rear) is there any difference apart from oil capacity and can I just replace the whole axle.
Many thanks Steve

Good man, are you going from the crappy Renault smaller one to the cast one?

There's been a lot of talk of this recently as a few of us on bigger tyres want to swap to Petrol older cast axles from newer Renault axles as the ratios are different making take off a bit faster :naughty

Does your new axle have ABS? This seems to be the first stumbling block.

 

[mills651]

Thanks for the rapid responses....Yes Abs on both axles all looks the same to me was mainly worried whether the diff would make any difference (other than being stronger from what I have read on here!)
Gonna crack on with it tomorrow so will keep you posted

 

[Banshee]

Thanks for the rapid responses....Yes Abs on both axles all looks the same to me was mainly worried whether the diff would make any difference (other than being stronger from what I have read on here!)
Gonna crack on with it tomorrow so will keep you posted

Same ratios, so should just be a straight swap, I'm interested in seeing how easy the handbrake cable is to swap over.

Bare in mind ordering shoes for your car in future, if you use a local motor factors like me and if you give them your registration number you'll receive the wrong shoes as the Renault diffs have bigger shoes

 

[rustic]

If you are unsure of the ratios, chalk a line on the input shaft, and also on the output shaft, note, both wheels will spin together anyway, or should. If ione rear wheel/hub is stationary, and easily turns, then lock it, then divide this by 2 to compare diff ratios.

Unless you have an accurate angle measuring device, do it the hard way...
Rotate the input shaft say 100 turns, get someone to count the output turns, ie much less lol...compare both diffs, no tools, no electronics, no cost.:thumb2

I like simple checks.
Don't forget the diff breather needs to be connected to the various lines, that eventually end up under the bonnet on the firewall, right at the top on the driver's side, well they are on my 1995 Mav lol.:thumb2

 

[Banshee]

If you are unsure of the ratios, chalk a line on the input shaft, and also on the output shaft, note, both wheels will spin together anyway, or should. If ione rear wheel/hub is stationary, and easily turns, then lock it, then divide this by 2 to compare diff ratios.

Unless you have an accurate angle measuring device, do it the hard way...
Rotate the input shaft say 100 turns, get someone to count the output turns, ie much less lol...compare both diffs, no tools, no electronics, no cost.:thumb2

I like simple checks.
Don't forget the diff breather needs to be connected to the various lines, that eventually end up under the bonnet on the firewall, right at the top on the driver's side, well they are on my 1995 Mav lol.:thumb2

They are def the same

 

[rustic]

They are def the same

Or they are "dif" the same then lol...
:lol:lol

 

[macabethiel]

Old fashioned way ?

On BL Minis I just counted the teeth on the crown wheel & then the Pinion then divide the big number by the small one !

 

[mills651]

Thanks all I will take banshee's word for it on the ratio.....what's the worst that can happen! Good point on the brake shoes would have missed that further down the line for sure

 

[solarman216]

you might want to check that the pinion flange is the same distance from the center line of the axle as older one could be longer which may make the prop too long to fit, Rick

 

[mills651]

Rear axle replaced with the older cast diff version. No real issues and a fairly easy job its bloody heavy but otherwise a straight forward swap.

It's nice to be able to go over 50 mph without the whining diff noise!

Thanks again all for the guidance.:clap

 

[Banshee]

Awesome news!!! Did you manage to get any pictures?
Was there any modification required?

Need to find me a set of Petrol axles now with ABS on

 

[solarman216]

think he swapped a diesel Axle for a diesel axle, so abs not so much problem, petrol with abs I have yet to see one, front dif is no problem, Rick

 

[mills651]

Yes diesel axle / diesel axle swap no difference other than the larger diff so no modifications needed.

 

[Banshee]

Yes diesel axle / diesel axle swap no difference other than the larger diff so no modifications needed.

Petrol with ABS then, better get hunting