differential cross member fit??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Holcomb Mississippi
differential cross member fit??
I am in the process of reinstalling Fletcher's 72's rear diifferential, springs, shocks, trailing arm etc. Basically, I had some popping in the rear end and decided to tackle the issue. We replaced the u-joints, and had the trailing arms rebulit by van steel. I powdercoated all the small parts that I could. I had a local rebuild the differential and he determined that the passenger side yoke was not within tolerance. We also found a small crack in the differential cover. So, I ordered all the parts I needed from Willcox. I bolted the diff cover on, filled it with GM additive and diff oil. My next step was to bolt the new diff cover to the rear cross member. However 
the bolt pattern would not line up. The rear of the cover keeps the cross member pushed back too far which will not allow the holes to align. I checked the cross member with the old cover and the fit was perfect. has anyone ever had this problem? Also, can I save the oil somehow and put it back when I get a replacement?
I sent Willcox and email and Im sure they will take care of it. I just hate that I've got to wait another week or two to finish.
Thanks,
andy
the bolt pattern would not line up. The rear of the cover keeps the cross member pushed back too far which will not allow the holes to align. I checked the cross member with the old cover and the fit was perfect. has anyone ever had this problem? Also, can I save the oil somehow and put it back when I get a replacement?I sent Willcox and email and Im sure they will take care of it. I just hate that I've got to wait another week or two to finish.
Thanks,
andy
Last edited by andycw; Jun 12, 2010 at 05:05 PM. Reason: fletch car
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Not much , about a minutes worth with a 4" wheel. I just had to remove the corner so the crossmember would move forward. The edge on the crossmember is rounded so once I took the corner off the housing it moved forward about 1/4" and the holes lined up.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Holcomb Mississippi
off
I can get all four bolts in with the cross member angled slightly up on the cover side. Once there in, it leaves about a 1/8th gap at the bottom. So I guess about 1/8th. I hate to waste tomorrow waiting to se if he'd give me the go ahead. How thick is the wall/corner of the cover. Do I have 1/8th that I can grind off?
andy
andy
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Mine didnt hit the back wall of the cover. On mine the flat the holes are drilled in and the cross member sets on was not wide enough.
Would it be easier to remove some of the lip on the cross member ?
I always put the crossmember back on the same way it came off,could you have flipped it and one side has more metal ?
Would it be easier to remove some of the lip on the cross member ?
I always put the crossmember back on the same way it came off,could you have flipped it and one side has more metal ?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Holcomb Mississippi
fit
Its not hitting the lip on the crossmember. Its hitting the side below it. I tried it both ways and the fit was the same. Ill look at it tomorrow and see if the corner is the problem all the way across.
Thanks Roger.
andy
Thanks Roger.
andy