[s-cars] Torsen Rear Diff Installation Time/Cost?

[Sean Douglas]

Hi Keith:

I have installed the differential - twice. I bought a used diff from Bob P.,
replaced the deals, and even went as far as re-finishing the outside with
chassis paint.

The first time, I installed it while doing my suspension overhaul in the
summer while everything was apart. The rear subframe / cross member was out
so the diff was quite easy to install.

After driving, I noticed significant driveline slop when shifting and on/off
the throttle. I crawled under the car and determined that there was
excessive play in the torsen diff between the ring and pinion. There was
about 10 mm of axial play. My EDL diff (1997) had about 1 mm of play.

So about 3 weeks ago, I decided to swap the EDL diff back in. This took me
about 7 hours. This was in my garage on jackstands and no transmission jack
and by myself. This includes time to re/re the seals, lunch break, etc.

I had it out within 2 hours, but I wasted at least 1 hour trying to figure
out how to get it back in. I finally figured out that the diff has to go
back in at an angle (rear up/front down) to get the rear mount over the rear
cross member. This was achieved with me on my back and the diff between my
legs resting on my mid section. Two people would have been much easier.

Anyway to answer your question, with a lift, a trans jack and a helper, I'll
bet a professional shop would be 3-4 hours tops. If I had to do it again,
I'd budget 5 hours. This does not account for rusted fasteners (which I
encountered the first time).

I anyone has suggestions on what I can do to solve the excessive play, I'd
love to hear it. I wonder if the pinion can be shimmed some how?

Sean D.

1997 S6




> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:s-car-list-
> bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Keith Maddock
> Sent: October 9, 2006 9:24 AM
> To: //Scar //Scar list
> Subject: [s-cars] Torsen Rear Diff Installation Time/Cost?
> 
> For anyone who has installed one of the Torsen Rear Diffs that Bob P.
> and I brought over a couple years ago - does anyone have a
> recollection of installation time, and even cost if you had a shop do
> the job?
> 
> Thanks,
> Keith
> 
> 95.5 S6 Avant for Sale: http://maddock.uzipp.com/vroom/s6a/
> 
> --
> ------
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