In my previous journals I was discussing the noise I had in my MKII differential, what I found and my course of action. I had never tackled this and the factory manual required a bunch of gages and measurement. First I noted where the pinion gears meshed and by feel the backlash between the two. Then I took the caps off the differential carrier bearings and marked which side eachl cap fot its original side. Since I didnt have the special tools I used my engineering training. As I took each bearing off of the differential gear cluster I carefully saved the shims. Then I measured each bearing race for thickness and recorded it. When I got the new bearings I measured the thickness of the race and recorded it. The new bearing and the old bearing races were the same as the old ones. Of course I bought the most expensive bearing that the mfg made for this application with the closest manufacturing tollerence. If they had been off by more that .001 I would have added or subtracted shims as necessary.
I then removed the pinion shaft and gear per the factory instructions.
I had made spanner for this many years ago to be able to change the pinion oils seal. I carefully saved the pinion bearing spacer shims and also the thurst washer under the rear pinion bearing. I measured the old bearing races and recorded and the shims. As it turned out the rear pinion bearing depth was the same as the new one so I was able to use the same thrust washer. The front pinion shaft bearing was .064in less in depth than the old one. I ordered more shims to make up the difference then by fitting several time was able to get the proper loadeng between the front and rear pinion bearing. I then installed the differential carriage bearing cage back on the front housing checking to make sure the pinion and ring gears mated properly.
I then installed the gear chunk back in the rear axle housing. Put in new axle gaskets and seals then slid the axles in place. Filled with gear oil and started the engine and put in gear to listen for noise. No noise noted and smooth operation.
Today after church I took it off the lift and took it for a 40 mille spin around the block. (actuall through the local MG roads) It was the so quiet I could hear the fuel pump click.
WHAT THRILL TO HAVE MY BABY BACK ON THE ROAD.