Freebird Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Hi AllMy wife's Volvo suffered clutch or gearbox failure on Saturday forcing me to use the Vitesse for work, so she could use my MR2 Mk1.This morning 25 miles from home at about 65mph, the nose bearing in the Vitesse diff disintegrated making a god awful noise and resulting in a total loss of drive. I imaging the internals are now mulch.There is a Mk1 diff on eBay - will this fit a Mk11 with Rotoflex?Item 320086291429How do I remove the Diff? Mr Haynes says I need two long bars to release the spring pressure - I guess he is right, but that needs the bars to be made up. Is there another method?Any advice appreciated.Glen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Mk 1 (2L only) and Mk2 diffs are the same. Both 3.89:1 with 6 stud rear case.GT6 1, 2 and rotoflex 3 with OD are also the same. GT6 without OD are 3.27:1.Spitfire MkIV is also 3.89:1 but has a 4 std rear case which could be swapped for yours.Spitfire 1500 has 3.63:1 with a 4 bolt casing and will also fit if you swap the rear case. The 3.63 ratio is good in a Vitesse.All of the above diffs have a round input flange. Do not buy any that have a square input flange. These will be 4.11 from Herald/Spit 1,2 &3/Vitesse 1600 and you don't want 'em.Hope this helps.NickEdit: The ebay one should do the trick.It is possible (if hazardous!) to change the diff without a spring lifter, but much, much easier with one. A suitable metal tube and a couple of exhaust clamps will suffice but be careful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Glen, real bad news about the diff. Call me as I have one which could sort you out. Steve. 01403 254334 or 07979 538497 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 Hi Steve.I've put a bid on the one on Ebay - should have waited. Never mind, if I don't win it I will be in touch.CheersGlen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowbunny Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 I too need a diff for a '66 Herald 1250 saloon - I take it the 3.89:1 currently on ebay will therefore not fit/has the wrong ratio's?And how do you tell if the vehicle is rotoflex or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted User Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Snowbunny, unless some previous owner has had a mental abbohration you haven't got rotoflex suspension. It was only fitted to Vitesse 2l Mk II, GT6 Mk II and GT6 Mk III up to chassis number KE 2000. A 12/50 would originally have a 4.11:1 diff fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowbunny Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Karen many thanks for that.So is that 3.89:1 any good for me? IO don't want to get in a bidding war with Glen if it's not advisable/possible to fit this one to my particular model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 3.89:1 can be fitted but:1. You will have to change the UJ flanges on the driveshafts and propshaft to match the larger flanges on the diff (UJs themselves are the same).2. Never tried this particular ratio with a 1200 engine. Will slow acceleration through the gears a little and make cruising more relaxed. My 1200 used to pull overdrive top ok with a 4.11.Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 You can easily make the spring lifter - I used a couple of ex-Army crowbars (apparently used for tank track refitting) cost me £10 at an army surplus store - and 4 "U" clamps - exhaust fittings really. Just be careful that when you jack it all up you support it properly, it's becomes a bit unstable otherwise and you don't want to underneath if it all turns turd like! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 SnowbunnyDon't worry about a bidding war with me, Mowerman lives not far from me, so if you win the auction, I will buy his one - should save me a few bob in postage as well.Where do you live?Glen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heraldcoupe Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 3.89:1 isn't a great ratio for a 1200. Stick with the original 4.11:1 ratio. Good news is that the original type is the most plentiful, I have a barn full of them but precious few of the more desireable ratios!Cheers,Bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted March 22, 2007 Author Share Posted March 22, 2007 Hi AllI'm gonna swap the Diff in the Vitesse this weekend - thanks for the replacement Steve. I've been told than an easier way than supporting the spring and dismantling the shoxs and tie rods etc. is to put blocks of wood between the spring and the underbody and take the weight of the car under the hub uprights.Apparently you just need to disconnect the driveshafts and prop, remove the diff to body fixings and it drops out.Has anyone tried this? CheersGlen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 4, 2007 Author Share Posted April 4, 2007 Well, I have now changed the diff for one I bought from Mowerman - cheers again Steve.Fitted new seals and driveshaft bearings and all seems well. It's certainly smoother than before and no leaks - yet!I tried to do it without disturbing the spring, but there is not enough give in the Rotoflexes to move the driveshafts away from the diff flanges. I lashed a couple of 1" diameter steel bars to the spring with nylon rope, one each end using a trolley jack and axle stands to compress it all. Not the safest way as the bars kept slipping off the spring. I would recommend borrowing or making pukka ones.Back on the road and lovin' it!Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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