I just acquired a second Jaguar this week and was looking
forward to lots of driving!
After a little driving I’ve realized my differential may be
no good. I would describe the sound as toasted carrier
bearings as the noise isn’t anything like worn gears. It has
the characteristic rumble and timbre of a bad bearing. The
old oil had fine metal dust in it when I changed it.
I’m at the point of deciding whether to try to rebuild this
thing myself or find a replacement. Based on the overhaul
instructions, it sounds a bit complicated and delicate to do.
Can anyone make recommendations on this? I wish to drive
this car at least a little bit!
The local wrecker who has Jags wants $500 for a used
differential and I don’t think it’s at all worth it.–
Daniel - 1983 XJ6
Victoria BC, Canada
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In reply to a message from w1ngs sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
Daniel, make sure you check your wheel bearings first. Don't
want to find out after you’ve bought another diff that all you had
was a bad wheel bearing.Just replaced my IRS with one from a parts
car I have and found out that I had a bad whhel bearing in my
original unit.Nice and quiet now! Chris–
86 XJ6 The equalizer drove a Jaguar xj
tucson, United States
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In reply to a message from westernstar sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
If your planning a rebuild, and if your planning to do a
proper job, be aware that your diff has $500 worth of
bearings and seals in it, before you start on the labour.–
Neville S1 XJ12
Christchurch, New Zealand
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In reply to a message from w1ngs sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
$500 seems like a lot for a used diff. I bought an entire IRS
complete with 3.31 posiloc diff for $100 US. That price included
the salvage yard removing it from the donor car and helping me load
it.
Coventry West and Motorcars Ltd. both remanufacture the diffs.
Motorcars Ltd. shows a price of $750 US. Plus shipping - it weighs
about 140 lbs.
Another route which might be a bit less expensive is to just
rebuild the stub axles. You can get kits with the bearings and
seals or send in your old stub axles for rebuilt exchanges. That
won’t help, of course if it’s the main input pinion bearings or the
carrier bearings that are toasted.
Is there no one in the Victoria/Vancouver/Sea-Tac area who rebuilds
differentials? They are fairly basic and any pro shop familiar
with Dana/Salisbury diffs should be able to rebuild it.–
The original message included these comments:
bearings as the noise isn’t anything like worn gears. It has
the characteristic rumble and timbre of a bad bearing. The
old oil had fine metal dust in it when I changed it.
I’m at the point of deciding whether to try to rebuild this
thing myself or find a replacement. Based on the overhaul
instructions, it sounds a bit complicated and delicate to do.
Can anyone make recommendations on this? I wish to drive
this car at least a little bit!
The local wrecker who has Jags wants $500 for a used
differential and I don’t think it’s at all worth it.
In reply to a message from John Testrake sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
Are you sure it has nothing to do with the brakes?
Ill-fitted hand brake calipers?–
1975 XJ6C - LHD
Malahide, Ireland
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In reply to a message from Eric318 sent Wed 24 Feb 2010:
I do need to do more tests but the metal powder in the
original differential fluid indicates a problem internal to
the unit itself. The brakes look good; I just bled all the
lines and inspected them.
I will contact David Boger as I’ve done business with him
before and was quite happy.–
The original message included these comments:
In reply to a message from John Testrake sent Tue 23 Feb 2010:
Are you sure it has nothing to do with the brakes?
Ill-fitted hand brake calipers?
I have similar symptoms to my XJ6 S1 where my differential having significant humming noise. I have same question and I am leaning towards replacement.
Is there any new differential still available in the market? If yes how much we are looking at?
If I bought second hand unit, how to check if the diff is still in an acceptable condition?
Also, is there any equivalent differential (aftermarket brand) which is compatible with this car?
**
It is complicated, Daniel - and DIY rebuild is not really recommended…
Partially as you would know the extent of required rebuild - and required parts after strip-down. You may save money, but it will likely take time. The drawback is the unknown state of the offered differential…
‘…drive the car at least a little bit’ implies that you are not for long time use - which complicates matters…
