[s-cars] Rear Torsen differential

[Igor Kessel]

Folks,
I have finally gotten around to installing the rear Torsen differential 
off a European Audi V8, that I acquired a few months ago with the help 
from Bob Pastore.

As a precaution I decided to replace both axle seals while the 
differential was still on the bench. The small seal is a generic VW and 
sells for $1.50. The big one is unique and costs the whopping $65.

After I pried the seals out I realised with a great degree of 
satisfaction that their lips were worn and the replacement was justified.

The installation of the rear final drive is straightforward Bentley with 
a few exceptions below. I love finding ways to cut out the unneeded 
steps and in this particular case I think I managed to do that.

1. Bentley tells you to remove both rear muffler sections and replace 
the two expensive clamps in the process. Last time I checked those huge 
clamps were ca. $15/ea. Well, there is no need to remove the mufflers. 
Just undo the rubber hangers and lower the exhaust carefully. Support 
the exhaust with a jackstand by the tailpipe.

2. Bentley tells you to remove both emergency brake cables. No need to 
do that either. Unless of course the jackets are worn and the cables 
need to be replaced, which seems to be often the case in the older Audis.

3. You'll need to buy a tube of the Moli CV joint grease to add to the 
three CV joints that you'll be dealing with.

4. Drive the car up the ramps with the front wheels. Jack up the rear of 
the car and rest it on fully extended good quality heavy duty 
jackstands. This will give you enough room to roll about under the car 
on a creeper.

5. Renew the 4 jam nuts on the cross-members. Contrary to the Bentley's 
recommendation I didn't replace the triple-square bolts on the propeller 
shaft and on both drive axles. Instead I cleaned them up and put some 
blue Locktite on the threads. I might be wrong though...

6. Remove the differential with the rear mount attached. Bentley does 
not tell you this. The top bolt out of the three bolts on the rear mount 
is unreachable from underneath.

I will report on the snow performance after I get a chance to test the 
car in the snow. So far the ride hasn't changed. No vibration either, 
which means that I didn't disturb the propeller shaft's balance.
-- 
Igor Kessel
two turbo quattros