9 replies to this topic

[JonBooth]

Hello,

I was thinking of replacing my Mini's standard diff with a Minispares cross pin one. I've been told that the easiest way to remove the diff is to remove the engine/gearbox assembly from the car. I was just wondering if this is definitely the case or can it be done from underneath? Also, if the engine was removed, would it be necessary to remove the gearbox from the engine or not?

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,

Jon.

[Cooperman]

You must remove the engine from the car. You can remove the diff assembly from the back of thge box without splitting engine from box. So long as you are keeping the same crownwheel & pinion it's easy to fit the x-pin, but if you want to change the final drive ratio the pinion must come off the gearbox 3rd motion shaft and that can be a bit more difficult.

[bmcecosse]

I have swapped a diff with the engine unit in the car - it wasn't easy.......

Edited by bmcecosse, 16 June 2011 - 10:49 PM.

[JonBooth]

Thanks for the replies. I think I may take the engine out in the winter when it's off the road. Out of interest, do you think it is worth doing? The car is running around 115bhp. I'd never really thought about fitting one before, but the more I read, the more people seem to make out it's a must. There is no play in the current one though and no problems to note.

Cheers,

Jon.

[Guess-Works.com]

Yes, most definitely.

[Cooperman]

I have swapped a diff with the engine unit in the car - it wasn't easy.......

I did try it once, but go so 'peed-off' with lying under the car in all the 'DGS' that I took the engine out and did it more easily. I bet you only did it that way the one time.

[JonBooth]

Just had a look on Minispares website and it appears that the cross pin diff isn't available anymore, it's still on there but not saying out of stock, it says is no longer available. Any ideas if they have stopped making them? If so, does anyone know of any other good diffs? Don't really want to fork out £450 for a limited slip diff.

Thanks again,

Jon.

[AndyMiniMad.]

Its a web site problem, They know about it and are trying to fix. They do have them....best to give them a call. Mini spares cross pin diff is still one of the best available.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - just the one time - I was trying to 'run in' my freshly rebuilt autocross unit (which had a welded diff) in my road Mini - got about 5 miles down the road before my arms gave up trying to get round corners - and I needed the car to get to work 40 miles away next morning - so the diff HAD to be changed.......

[JonBooth]

Its a web site problem, They know about it and are trying to fix. They do have them....best to give them a call. Mini spares cross pin diff is still one of the best available.

Ah I see, I'll give them a call. Cheers.