Spitfire 1500 Diff woes

[Mark Pascoe]

Full rebuild completed Sep 20, but probs with recon diff from MAJOR UK Triumph supplier. Paid just shy of £700 for a recon exchange diff - had it fitted, rumbled like hell and sprang a leak so sent it back. Recon diff NUMBER TWO refitted and this one had a broad repertoire of noises, which were different on cornering/acceleration/overrun etc. These noises were loudish so sent this one back as well. Enter replacement Diff NUMBER THREE - This one (currently still installed) is the loudest whine yet, on both acceleration and overrun but quiet on a neutral throttle. No other untoward noises emanating from it.  I'm told by the supplier to run it for 300+ miles and it should quieten down. I'm very sceptical. Sought advice from several mechanics who all say the same - they DONT believe it will quieten down.  Been on several forums and found several owners had the same prob and theirs have not quietened down. I'm not prepared to put up with the whine when I've paid out £700 for a recon unit. Apparently all the Diffs supplied to the main Triumph suppliers come from one source. I'm further informed all new crownwheel/pinion sets now come from Germany and that where the prob may lie. We have a Spitty we've spent a fortune on and is close to concourse condition that sounds like a tractor when being driven. ANY HELP/GUIDANCE/ADVICE APPRECIATED. I'm that desperate I'm considering trying to source a better 2nd hand 3.63 unit instead. My original old unit was much quieter than ANY of the 3 replacements - I wish I'd stuck with it and had new seals & bearings installed, but sadly it's long gone as an exchange hand-in.

[Mark Pascoe]

Forgot to mention, both rear drive shaft assemblies with new UJs (incl all new wheel bearing/rear trunnions and all bushes replaced with new poly) are new and new UJs have been fitted in the prop shaft - I'm certain the noises are from the Diff

 

[Colin Lindsay]

I sent mine direct to Mike Papworth; it's been totally silent ever since it returned. I'm not sure if that's who the dealers go to but one thing I'd do is talk to him directly and ask his advice

mike.papworth1@btopenworld.com

https://www.facebook.com/mike.papworthtriumph

[Pete Lewis]

£700 even td fichetts are only £450 echange advertise in the courier every month

those prices are like for like of theres a surcharge and you need to call them as not on thier web list

as the web site list is selective parts only 

Pete

 

[johny]

If thats with a new crownwheel and pinion then price is understandable as I believe most recon units are just bearings and seals. However everything depends on the quality of those new gears....

[Dick Twitchen]

21 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:

I sent mine direct to Mike Papworth; it's been totally silent ever since it returned. I'm not sure if that's who the dealers go to but one thing I'd do is talk to him directly and ask his advice

Second that, he will probably tell you what the problem is over the phone better than EMail.  Don't think Mike was doing anybodies but private customers and Canley's if I recall correctly.

Dick

[Mark Pascoe]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I'm now in contact with Mike Papworth and he appears to be the best option to resolve the problem. Only trouble is, he wants a further £800 to sort it - getting to be a very expensive component, plus shipping to Coventry & back....

 

[Pete Lewis]

would you be drawn to a fitchetts unit  at £450     i used one many years back on the Vit6 and it was ok

its half the cost ...still a gamble but then any diff is a gamble as so much needs to be correct unlike a gearbox which is more tolerant of errors

pete