Diff Swap ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
Diff Swap ?
Can you do a straight diff swap from a 02 Z06 into a 99 Coupe without changing any other parts other than the diff? Are the axles the same?
We sold our used race diff (<2500 miles) to a member and apparently after having it installed it in his 99, it 'blew' on the test drive. He is having the shop that installed it tear it down to see exactly what failed.
Anyone who has done this 'swap' and experienced any problems, please let me know..........thanks.....
We sold our used race diff (<2500 miles) to a member and apparently after having it installed it in his 99, it 'blew' on the test drive. He is having the shop that installed it tear it down to see exactly what failed.
Anyone who has done this 'swap' and experienced any problems, please let me know..........thanks.....
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
you can move the existing one over to the newer diff. Just don't forget to do this on the A4 models.
seal plate installed:
more info here: http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
.
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Feb 19, 2009 at 04:03 PM.
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It should swap right into the '99 with no problems. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
I have some more information now. It seems immediately after installing the new (used) trans and diff, upon driving it for its maiden voyage, one of the rear wheels has locked.
I heard from the shop doing the work.........looks like a bearing failure.........
Thats better than the 'diff' dying!!!
I heard from the shop doing the work.........looks like a bearing failure.........
Thats better than the 'diff' dying!!!
Last edited by CP Thunder; Feb 20, 2009 at 09:31 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: PSL FL
yes, but with this difference. The A4 requires an additional piece... the "seal plate".
you can move the existing one over to the newer diff. Just don't forget to do this on the A4 models.
seal plate installed:
more info here: http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
.
you can move the existing one over to the newer diff. Just don't forget to do this on the A4 models.
seal plate installed:
more info here: http://mikemercury.home.att.net/342.htm
.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 6
From: Omaha Nebraska
Turns out the diff didn't actually die on the 'test drive'. The diff had a dozen dyno runs and then went on a couple hundred mile street drive before locking up.
Ever seen a speed sensor melt both internally and externally? This one did. The diff was so superheated, the sensor melted over the top of the diff and the internal portion of the sensor's braid fell down into the diff. The fact the braid was removed in one big piece (looked like brillo by then) and was not completely soaked in lube like you would expect, proved there was no gear lube added during the installation. My thanks to C&S Dyno here in Omaha for the teardown and diagnosis. Pics available in my album.
I only post this here as this was an unexpected way of determining there was no fluid in a diff someone might benefit from this information should this ever happen to them.
Once presented with this data, the installation shop agreed completely and rectified the situation with the member who bought our diff.
Ever seen a speed sensor melt both internally and externally? This one did. The diff was so superheated, the sensor melted over the top of the diff and the internal portion of the sensor's braid fell down into the diff. The fact the braid was removed in one big piece (looked like brillo by then) and was not completely soaked in lube like you would expect, proved there was no gear lube added during the installation. My thanks to C&S Dyno here in Omaha for the teardown and diagnosis. Pics available in my album.
I only post this here as this was an unexpected way of determining there was no fluid in a diff someone might benefit from this information should this ever happen to them.
Once presented with this data, the installation shop agreed completely and rectified the situation with the member who bought our diff.