Differential case swap
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Fresno CA
Differential case swap
OK 3 short questions ???.......
1) Will a 3.42 gear set fit in a case that originally housed a 2.73 ?
2) If YES, how much labor is involved ?
3) If NO, how hard is it to find a case that will fit ?
1) Will a 3.42 gear set fit in a case that originally housed a 2.73 ?
2) If YES, how much labor is involved ?
3) If NO, how hard is it to find a case that will fit ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,966
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From: Frederick Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
2) Quite a bit
To clarify your question, you should be asking if the 3.42 will fit on a 2.73 carrier and not in the case. All C5 cases (1 rib and 3 rib) are the same. The 2 series carrier is different than the 3 series carrier and 3.42 will not fit onto the 2 series carrier.
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From: Fresno CA
Thanks for the reply......
Let me share my problem.
I now have a 2.73 in my A4 auto and I have a 3.42 that has some case damage courtesy of UPS. I was going to just have the entire 3.42 diff installed in my car. That is now not possible because of the case damage. As a plan B I'm thinking of using the case from my 2.73 to house the workings of the 3.42 . Now thinking along those lines would this be a good approach?
Let me share my problem.
I now have a 2.73 in my A4 auto and I have a 3.42 that has some case damage courtesy of UPS. I was going to just have the entire 3.42 diff installed in my car. That is now not possible because of the case damage. As a plan B I'm thinking of using the case from my 2.73 to house the workings of the 3.42 . Now thinking along those lines would this be a good approach?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Frederick Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Here is what I would do but I don't know if you have the special tools to do the job. I would use the 2.73 case but use ALL the parts out of the 3.42 diff. This means the side shims and pinion shims and the bearing races. After you have it assembled, check the wipe pattern and the backlash. If they look good, you should be good to go. If not, you need to have someone set up the rear for you since you would need the Kent Moore C5 diff shimming tool set. Good luck!
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From: Fresno CA
Rick.....thanx for the information & replies. This gives me some options. I'll check with the shop that is going to do the work and see what the cost will be on a case swap. UPS has the diff now and a damage claim is in process. I'm not sure where UPS will go with the claim. From what I've been reading even with insurance they aren't too willing to accept responsibility for damages. If UPS denies coverage I think the seller/shipper and I will come to some arrangement.
Team Owner
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
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From: Fresno CA
Pics
It looks like they dropped the diff out the back of the truck while driving down the fwy. Every side has dents ,scuffs. The mounting face took the worst hit. The face is bent and cracked,bent studs.
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From: Fresno CA
Mike, Question ? ..... Ragtop just said the cases are the same. If I use ALL the 3.42 parts and just my 2.73 case what will case the erratic VSS readings ?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Aiea Hawaii
The cases are the same, the the 3:42 gear only fits 3:15 and numerically higher gear carriers.just swap every thing over "check the contact patch and backlash". Just be sure every thing goes in the exact same way it came out
Drifting
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From: Waveland MS
Team Owner
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Will a 3.42 gear set fit in a case that originally housed a 2.73 ?
though the 2 series case will take any gears... even 4.10's. And of course... so will the 3 series case.
A problem can arrise when using the 2 series case with steeper gears where the reluctor wheel ends up being positioned further away from the VSS sensor. If it's too far - you'll get bad VSS pulse readings. The VSS sensor can't be relocated - as it is installed into a recess in the case casting. So the only option is to move the reluctor wheel. It's done with a spacer.
Contact DTE and verify all this info !
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Apr 13, 2010 at 09:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Frederick Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
the original question:
the 3 series case and the 2 series case are not the same
though the 2 series case will take any gears... even 4.10's.
A problem can arrise when using the 2 series case with steeper gears where the reluctor wheel ends up being positioned further away from the VSS sensor. If it's too far - you'll get bad VSS pulse readings. The VSS sensor can't be relocated - as it is installed into a recess in the case casting. So the only option is to move the reluctor wheel. It's done with a spacer.
Contact DTE and verify all this info !
the 3 series case and the 2 series case are not the same
though the 2 series case will take any gears... even 4.10's.
A problem can arrise when using the 2 series case with steeper gears where the reluctor wheel ends up being positioned further away from the VSS sensor. If it's too far - you'll get bad VSS pulse readings. The VSS sensor can't be relocated - as it is installed into a recess in the case casting. So the only option is to move the reluctor wheel. It's done with a spacer.
Contact DTE and verify all this info !
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
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From: Aiea Hawaii
Mercury is right. Went down to my hangar and pulled out some old empty cases a 2 series and a 3 series.If you are looking for that it's easy to see, but if you are not looking for that it could get by you. Thanx Mike
