Integrale Rear Differential

[Neil Lewis]

A noise started coming from the  rear of my 8-valve Integrale about a month ago and while out yesterday it got a lot worse.  The noise is a rubbing/graunching sound and is speed related.  The noise is most noticeable at slowish speeds because the car gets too noisy to here after that.  A new departure yesterday is that if I take my foot off the throttle at high speed, a large vibration develops (like a wheel wobble) which can be stopped by pressing the throttle or brake pedal.  I've ruled out anything rubbing in the rear wheel arches and am fairly sure it's not a wheel bearing or the CV joints.  So I suspect there are serious problems inside the rear differential.

My next step is to drain the oil and see how much is made up of metal filings.  After that all I can do is take the diff off and examine it.  But I'd rather not strip it and rebuild it so, if anyone has or knows of a rear diff in good condition, I would be keen to know.

Thanks
Neil

[fay66]

A noise started coming from the  rear of my 8-valve Integrale about a month ago and while out yesterday it got a lot worse.  The noise is a rubbing/graunching sound and is speed related.  The noise is most noticeable at slowish speeds because the car gets too noisy to here after that.  A new departure yesterday is that if I take my foot off the throttle at high speed, a large vibration develops (like a wheel wobble) which can be stopped by pressing the throttle or brake pedal.  I've ruled out anything rubbing in the rear wheel arches and am fairly sure it's not a wheel bearing or the CV joints.  So I suspect there are serious problems inside the rear differential.

My next step is to drain the oil and see how much is made up of metal filings.  After that all I can do is take the diff off and examine it.  But I'd rather not strip it and rebuild it so, if anyone has or knows of a rear diff in good condition, I would be keen to know.

Thanks
Neil

Hi Neil,
I'm probably wrong but I think I'd have a look at propshaft bearing first. before tearing the diff apart.

Brian
8227

[Neil Lewis]

Yes, I thought of that one too.  I'm going to jack it up tomorrow night and drain the oil out of the diff.  If, as I suspect, it's a nice grey metallic colour, it'll definitely be the diff.

I just discovered that it makes a different nose when the car is turning; so more evidence that it's the diff.  But I'm still open to ideas...

Neil

[Neil Lewis]

Well you were proved right Brian.  I eventually managed to get it jacked up and, after spending ages removing the tank guard, found loads of play ine the bearing leading into the over-fuel-tank tube.  There is still lots of play from side to side of the rear axle but the crown wheel to pinion play is very small.  So probably no lasting damage and I don't need a new differential.

Mind you I think it's easier to change the diff than to get the prop-shaft off.  Cracking the front CV joint, undoing the support brackets and the six bolts on the front of the diff and lowering the tank slightly to allow the diff flange to pass through.  And then to strip the nbearing out and find another one.  Oh well; I love it really... grrr!

Neil

[fay66]

Well you were proved right Brian.  I eventually managed to get it jacked up and, after spending ages removing the tank guard, found loads of play ine the bearing leading into the over-fuel-tank tube.  There is still lots of play from side to side of the rear axle but the crown wheel to pinion play is very small.  So probably no lasting damage and I don't need a new differential.

Mind you I think it's easier to change the diff than to get the prop-shaft off.  Cracking the front CV joint, undoing the support brackets and the six bolts on the front of the diff and lowering the tank slightly to allow the diff flange to pass through.  And then to strip the nbearing out and find another one.  Oh well; I love it really... grrr!

Neil

Hi Neil,
Pleased you've got it sorted, even if it was a bit of a B-----d, probably a lot less costly that stripping the diff 
Bria
8227