On the diff I got secondhand, it is quite easy to turn the pinion drive flange by hand. My local Ford garage says this is not good, because normally it should be quite hard to turn it by hand, there should be more resistance.
They suggested trying to tighten the two toothed rings on the output sides of the diff till there is more resistance on the pinion drive flange, but they won't budge.
Sounds familiar to anyone or should I forget about it and just use the diff?

I'd forget about it and use it anyway....but then what do I know! Sorry not much help.....Oli.

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Originally posted by Indymike
it is quite easy to turn the pinion drive flange by hand.
Sounds familiar to anyone or should I forget about it and just use the diff?

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If it's just the diff and no driveshafts/hubs fitted I'd expect you to be able to turn it by hand. After all there is no load to stop you doing so. Probably more important at this stage is to check there is not to much Clearance (backlash between the crownwheel/pinion).

Has it got any oil in it?

It sounds fine to me. Itl be harder to run with the shafts in and connected to the wheels with oil in.

No there's no oil in it.
I will be getting some new oil seals for the output sides tomorrow and put those in. Think I'll leave it at that (apart from a good clean and paint).

sounds entirely normal to me, plus its not good to wee about with the toothed things

My question about the oil content wasn't entirely flipant.

You will be amazed how much difference a bit of EP90 will make to the feel of the diff by hand (backlash reduces to almost nothing)

I wouldnt always listen to your local ford garage.

Ive been told some funny things by main dealer mechanics in the past.

Most of the time they know their stuff though!