I have a 7" Ford Sierra diff and one of the output flanges can be moved up and down (or side to side). I would guess the bearing is gone. Has anybody ever changed this bearing and can offer any hints.

The alloy carrier for the bearing (the one with all the square alloy knobs), what does this do? Does it adjust preload on the bearing or CWP?

Thank you

John

John,

Past opinion seems to be that stripping/rebuilding a diff is more hassle than it's worth. It might be cheaper and probably easier to get another diff from a breakers.

Nick

Nick,

I have thought about buying a recon / rebuilt diff, but then I saw the price (big££), and then I saw the price (not a lot of £)of a rebuild kit.

I also work on the principle if someone else can do it then so can I!!

John

plus if you get good at fiddling diffs, you can start doing LSD transplants into other ratio diffs, which is both useful and expensive... unfortunately, as usual, i can offer no help!

it is quite usual for the longer of the two output shafts to have some play in them. Adjusting the bearing carriers will adjust the mesh on the CWP

Upon further inspection the problem in my diff (the output flange moving) is caused not by worn bearings but the fit of the output flange into the diff cage (the cast / forged part that holds the crownwheel)

I would guess the only way to fix this is to get a new diff cage and output flange.

Anybody else had the same problem and how did you solve it?

Thank you

John