Hey guys,

I've been reading a lot of the posts on here and this site has been extremely helpful for me during my build but now I'm in need of some advice.

I had a R31 wagon diff housing that I have made custom mounts for and bolted it into my KE70. Fitment wise everything seems okay. The diff housing is pretty bare except for the pinion gear which was already installed.

Today I tried to fit a diff centre from a R31 sedan (with a mini spool inside) but after fitting it using the spacers and bearing caps (from the same sedan diff) the diff seizes and will not rotate. If i loosen the bearing cap bolts it reduces tension and with the help of a big lever bar i can get the centre to rotate.

I'm not sure if I need to adjust the pinion gear or if I put the bearing shims in the wrong way but I was hoping someone on here has a thorough understanding of overhauling differentials.

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Crown wheels and pinions are matched sets. Its unlikely to work, also, the ratios are probably mix match, did you check, I see no mention of ratio. Get a matching set and see how you go. Plus by forcing it youve more than likely ruined the gears so find a new set. Operative word being set.

Edited March 4, 201511 yr by LittleRedSpirit

Crown wheels and pinions are matched sets. Its unlikely to work, also, the ratios are probably mix match, did you check, I see no mention of ratio. Get a matching set and see how you go. Plus by forcing it youve more than likely ruined the gears so find a new set. Operative word being set.

^^^this 100%. Never missmatch crown and pinion. R31 had two ratios, given the amount of bind you probably have both. Get an owners manual for the r31 to learn how to properly setup the gears.

Thanks guys,

I think I'm going to buy some 4.11 pintara matched gears and put them in. I've got a rebuild procedure and the correct tools so it should be all good.

If you are in anu doubt as to the condition of the gears you buy its probably worth getting them lapped. Save pulling them out again when you get sick of the whining noise.