12 replies to this topic

[minichick]

I've recently restored my 1979 1275GT and seem to have a bit of a problem with the pot joints moving away from the diff.

I first noticed the problem when I saw a oil leak under the car, not huge just a few drops. So I jacked the car up for a look and found it coming from where the pot joints go into the diff, with the pot joints themselves far enough away from the gearbox to be able to get my finger in the gap! (Both sides are the same)

Right, I thought, it must be the circlips holding them on the splines. So yesterday I changed the circlip on either side, put it all back together and jobs a good 'un. The pot joints went all the way on the splines and were right up against the diff casing like they should be. I went for a drive and everything seemed fine. I've been driving round today and thought I'd have a little look to make sure everything is still good and I noticed that there is a gap between the pot joint and diff casing again, grrrrr.

So my question is why aren't the pot joints staying put?? They were new when I restored the car but I can't get my head around this problem, are there different types of pot joint and I've got the wrong one or something?

Any help would be great.

Edited by minichick, 25 June 2012 - 05:58 PM.

[SA MINI]

I'm experiencing the exact same mate it is also only my longer drive shaft that keeps coming away

[minichick]

It's a really weird problem, when I changed the circlips the old ones looked fine but I thought I'd change them anyway, as you never know.

[xrocketengineer]

I was having the same problem and it turned out that my differential was worn out with less than 45000 miles and it broke. The differential output shafts would move in and out preventing proper engagement of the circlips. I had no oil leaks. This is what happened to me:
http://www.theminifo...n-differential/

[SA MINI]

I've had no oil leaks either as the joint isn't coming all the way out. I hope it's not my diff my mini has only done 17,000 miles

Edited by SA MINI, 25 June 2012 - 06:11 PM.

[minichick]

Blimey, my engine and gearbox were only rebuilt about 2000 miles ago and I've got the cross pin diff, so I hope its not that!

[minidaves]

sometimes they need a proper push home, they normally go clunk when the do

[xrocketengineer]

You two should be in better shape than I was due to lower mileage, particularly you minichick since you have the cross pin diff. Mine started to clunk regularly the last month or so when shifting. I am pretty sure too, that if I had put the car in gear and jacked one front wheel off the ground and spun that wheel back and forth, it would have showed me how much slop was in the differential gears and what was coming. It would have saved me from a complete gearbox replacement.
As far as the pot joints, the one that was doing it to me was an aftermarket unit from Moss less than two years old. I too wondered if the non-original joints did not lock onto the circlips like the factory ones.

Cheers,
Ivan

Edited by xrocketengineer, 25 June 2012 - 07:43 PM.

[Kaj]

Hi Mate, I had this problem about a year ago with a NEW pot joint purchased from Minisport. It wouldn't lock into the circlip and eventually I took it off and on a visit back down to Minisport I took it back and we proved it would not lock into position on a gearbox they had in the shop. I got a replacement one from them but it was down to a poorly manufactured part!

I actually read about the exact same problem with one of 'Miniworld's' project cars experiencing the same thing.

I also had problems with a X-pin diff I bought from them so I've learned my lesson now!

I don't know where some of this stuff is made but no doubt a lot come from the east! Worth checking if you can get another one or the old pot joint housing.

[xrocketengineer]

Hi Mate, I had this problem about a year ago with a NEW pot joint purchased from Minisport. It wouldn't lock into the circlip and eventually I took it off and on a visit back down to Minisport I took it back and we proved it would not lock into position on a gearbox they had in the shop. I got a replacement one from them but it was down to a poorly manufactured part!

I actually read about the exact same problem with one of 'Miniworld's' project cars experiencing the same thing.

I also had problems with a X-pin diff I bought from them so I've learned my lesson now!

I don't know where some of this stuff is made but no doubt a lot come from the east! Worth checking if you can get another one or the old pot joint housing.

Hmmm.... interesting! Since I still have the engine out with the new gear box installed, I will do some experimentation between the Moss pot joint and the original one.

[minichick]

Hi Mate, I had this problem about a year ago with a NEW pot joint purchased from Minisport. It wouldn't lock into the circlip and eventually I took it off and on a visit back down to Minisport I took it back and we proved it would not lock into position on a gearbox they had in the shop. I got a replacement one from them but it was down to a poorly manufactured part!

I actually read about the exact same problem with one of 'Miniworld's' project cars experiencing the same thing.

I also had problems with a X-pin diff I bought from them so I've learned my lesson now!

I don't know where some of this stuff is made but no doubt a lot come from the east! Worth checking if you can get another one or the old pot joint housing.

Good to know, I've tried to lock both sides in one last time (bought a bigger hammer!) and if that doesn't work they are coming off. The only prob with trying to get them replaced is that I bought them ages ago, as it took me while to get the car finished, so I can't see minispares replacing them really. But I'll try none the less.

[minichick]

Hi Mate, I had this problem about a year ago with a NEW pot joint purchased from Minisport. It wouldn't lock into the circlip and eventually I took it off and on a visit back down to Minisport I took it back and we proved it would not lock into position on a gearbox they had in the shop. I got a replacement one from them but it was down to a poorly manufactured part!

I actually read about the exact same problem with one of 'Miniworld's' project cars experiencing the same thing.

I also had problems with a X-pin diff I bought from them so I've learned my lesson now!

I don't know where some of this stuff is made but no doubt a lot come from the east! Worth checking if you can get another one or the old pot joint housing.

Hmmm.... interesting! Since I still have the engine out with the new gear box installed, I will do some experimentation between the Moss pot joint and the original one.

xrocketengineer, let us know what happens with this.

Edited by minichick, 30 June 2012 - 12:11 PM.

[xrocketengineer]

Ok, I just tried the Moss pot joint on the new gearbox and it locked. I had to tap it some with my hand to make it go in all the way but it would net come out. To take it out I had to wedge a small chisel on one side and a large flat screwdriver on the other and it came off. I put it back in the same way and it locked again. So, apparently it is good even though the gaiter needs replacement since it is full of surface cracks.
So that is the report. That saves buying a new pot joint.

Edited by xrocketengineer, 30 June 2012 - 02:16 PM.