theultimatehero
06-28-2014, 04:49 PM
EDIT: I have learned a lot and finally figured this out. If you are having a similar problem check out my update thread HERE. (http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?p=5712549#post5712549)
I am in the midst of installing a Cusco MZ limited slip differential and I am having a hell of a time figuring things out.
First off my car had a 5-bolt VLSD which I was told came out of an R33 GTS-t. It seems like the same diff as a Z32 has, but I honestly don't know that for certain. Anyway the VLSD didn't work so I decided to get a clutch diff.
I bought my Cusco MZ used, it had been in a pumpkin and operating previously. I soon realized my axle stubs didn't seem like they would work (splines were the wrong length for the Cusco carrier) and that is what lead me to getting axles and axle stubs with the 6-bolt 240sx pattern. At this point I have the carrier installed in the housing. I will admit I completely winged that installation so I never checked backlash or tooth engagement, I hope its good.
The problem I am having right now is with these damn axle stub c-clips. One side has the c-clip installed inside the diff. That side is no problem and in fact both axle stubs will slide in and seat with the clip. The other side has no clip inside the diff, but I can clearly see a groove for it. I happened to have a C-clip from when I first took things apart and I am trying to use it with this axle stub and diff. It WILL NOT FIT. No matter how much bashing I do the axle will not slip into the diff with the clip installed. I tried putting the clip inside the diff first, which failed. Tried putting the clip on the axle and sliding it in, that also failed.
I don't know what else to do, it seems like the standard clip just isn't compatible. Has anyone ever had a similar problem?
Is there any way to know for sure I have the right axle stubs for my diff and which side they are supposed to go in?
I may be in over my head with this diff thing.
UPDATE (Video included):
I have now frankensteined the diff into the car and guess what, more problems! Here is the set up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/30psi/IMG_1817.jpg
^These are the standard 240sx open diff axles. I have one of these installed on the driver side of the diff, I am pretty sure its the shorter one.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m129/xHeather35/30spline.jpg
On the other side I have the shorter of ^these two which came from my old VLSD. Of course mine is the 5 bolt version, but from my research it seems they are identical. Mind you from the VLSD this specific shaft actually came out of the driver side of the diff, and now it is in the passenger side. There is a ring installed in that groove. It fits really damn tight and seems like the ring engages inside the splines, so I felt like it would work.
Ultimately it actually moves the car and for the first 5 miles of driving it seemed like I had struck gold. It worked flawlessly. Or so I thought. I noticed a rattle or rumble sound begin after a while and it was especially loud and scary when moving from stopped or going slow on both acceleration and deceleration. I stopped the car and lifted up the back end. I have seemingly determined all of the bolts for axles and driveshaft are tight and the rattle is truly coming from the diff somewhere. I have 3 potential problem points and I can't even figure out which it is:
1. The diff is not installed correctly. Backlash is bad, tooth contact is bad, its not shimmed correctly. All of these are possible.
2. The Cusco carrier is messed up itself. Remember I bought the thing used and the previous owner also had problems with it. Though it had been inspected by certified techs and given the "all good".
3. The axles are wrong and somehow causing the problems. Maybe the axle is moving in and out of the diff? I know the splines match up fine and the axles look like they would function, but what the hell do I know.
Here is a video, might help:
tSw8UbAaJg8
If ANYONE can help me figure this out I will legitimately Paypal you some cash. At this point I am utterly frustrated and if this was over I would be enormously grateful.
I am in the midst of installing a Cusco MZ limited slip differential and I am having a hell of a time figuring things out.
First off my car had a 5-bolt VLSD which I was told came out of an R33 GTS-t. It seems like the same diff as a Z32 has, but I honestly don't know that for certain. Anyway the VLSD didn't work so I decided to get a clutch diff.
I bought my Cusco MZ used, it had been in a pumpkin and operating previously. I soon realized my axle stubs didn't seem like they would work (splines were the wrong length for the Cusco carrier) and that is what lead me to getting axles and axle stubs with the 6-bolt 240sx pattern. At this point I have the carrier installed in the housing. I will admit I completely winged that installation so I never checked backlash or tooth engagement, I hope its good.
The problem I am having right now is with these damn axle stub c-clips. One side has the c-clip installed inside the diff. That side is no problem and in fact both axle stubs will slide in and seat with the clip. The other side has no clip inside the diff, but I can clearly see a groove for it. I happened to have a C-clip from when I first took things apart and I am trying to use it with this axle stub and diff. It WILL NOT FIT. No matter how much bashing I do the axle will not slip into the diff with the clip installed. I tried putting the clip inside the diff first, which failed. Tried putting the clip on the axle and sliding it in, that also failed.
I don't know what else to do, it seems like the standard clip just isn't compatible. Has anyone ever had a similar problem?
Is there any way to know for sure I have the right axle stubs for my diff and which side they are supposed to go in?
I may be in over my head with this diff thing.
UPDATE (Video included):
I have now frankensteined the diff into the car and guess what, more problems! Here is the set up:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/30psi/IMG_1817.jpg
^These are the standard 240sx open diff axles. I have one of these installed on the driver side of the diff, I am pretty sure its the shorter one.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m129/xHeather35/30spline.jpg
On the other side I have the shorter of ^these two which came from my old VLSD. Of course mine is the 5 bolt version, but from my research it seems they are identical. Mind you from the VLSD this specific shaft actually came out of the driver side of the diff, and now it is in the passenger side. There is a ring installed in that groove. It fits really damn tight and seems like the ring engages inside the splines, so I felt like it would work.
Ultimately it actually moves the car and for the first 5 miles of driving it seemed like I had struck gold. It worked flawlessly. Or so I thought. I noticed a rattle or rumble sound begin after a while and it was especially loud and scary when moving from stopped or going slow on both acceleration and deceleration. I stopped the car and lifted up the back end. I have seemingly determined all of the bolts for axles and driveshaft are tight and the rattle is truly coming from the diff somewhere. I have 3 potential problem points and I can't even figure out which it is:
1. The diff is not installed correctly. Backlash is bad, tooth contact is bad, its not shimmed correctly. All of these are possible.
2. The Cusco carrier is messed up itself. Remember I bought the thing used and the previous owner also had problems with it. Though it had been inspected by certified techs and given the "all good".
3. The axles are wrong and somehow causing the problems. Maybe the axle is moving in and out of the diff? I know the splines match up fine and the axles look like they would function, but what the hell do I know.
Here is a video, might help:
tSw8UbAaJg8
If ANYONE can help me figure this out I will legitimately Paypal you some cash. At this point I am utterly frustrated and if this was over I would be enormously grateful.