Rear end advice

[old's kool]

Hi Forum,

Last night, while driving my stock FE, I gently dropped the clutch from a set of lights and had a mishap.
There was a "thud" from the rear and while giving the accelerator there is a horrible slow vibrating noise. All gears can be selected and the car will slightly crawl.
I haven't had time to check but I assume the tailshaft is still turning and that the problem is between the diff and wheel hubs. A local Gearbox Mechanic is guessing it is a broken axle, fortunately I have a pair of axles from a stock FE to go in.
I thought the diff might have given way, so I am going to source a 3.55 ratio diff incase that needs replacing, I want to convert the 3.89 diff to 3.55 anyway.

My question to the experts (if you're still reading), From the limited information provided, is there something else that has more likely failed?
Is the conversion of a 3.89 diff to a 3.55 diff a simple bolt off and bolt in process?
Are the stock FE axles course spline and is the diff housing okay with the 3.55 diff centre?

Thanks for your help, any advice is appreciated,  Luke.

[fink fc]

I think you've done a rear uni,your corse spline axles are not a prob, the centre you chose will suit,but get the UNI to suit the diff as the flange on the 3.55 takes a diff UNI, ok.I'd be suprised if you broke an axle,if you did i will have to come around and IMPOUNDyour car ,LOL.Good Luck.  Gaz !

[FCRB26]

Rear or front uni ..

Pretty easy to change easiest way to remove tailshaft is to back you car up some ramps so less oil comes out the box.

[Hobbo]

sounds like the clutch plate has exploded as you say you have slight movement. Watch out for asbestos dust when removing the box

[zl296]

yes,use a p/3 resperator mask...

safer.....

[old's kool]

Thanks for your reply guys, funny Gaz, but I swear I wasn't attempting to "smoke" anybody at the lights.

Please excuse my ignorance, if a universal joint broke would I be able to see it? I thought if one went then my tailshaft would be flappin' in the breeze. What I can see looks fine.

Out of gear, i can turn the tail shaft freely by hand full revolution then there are clunky noises in the rear and something intermittently grabs and moves the car.
In gear, the tailshaft will not turn and I can roll the car forward and reverse without the tailshaft turning. Does this indicate the clutch is okay?

Thanks again, very much appreciated.

[customFC]

My money's on the diff.
Regards
Alex

[colt]

I reckon you've given it heaps off the line and broken your diff.

[FCGos]

Sounds like the Sun Gears are not shining 

[waynos]

sounds like the bango is playin a sad tune........sorry

[fe350chev]

Sounds like your diff has had the biff

[old's kool]

Thank you guys, a couple of great diff jokes there to cheer me up. I was assuming the diff had got into a tiff .....(yeah, that was pretty crap).

Once I muster up some cash and repair, I'll be sure to post some photographic evidence to the topic.

Thanks again,  Luke.

[FCRB26]

I did 13 bango,s when i was on my P,s ended up putting a centura diff in it.


I use to carry a spare and a jack and all the bits to change it .. 32 minutes is my record.


Where you at i have a heap laying around?
Isnt it funny how different ratio,s do different things 2.78 and 3.08 do sun gears 336 and 355 do the outer bearings and lay the crown over 3.89 do the input bearing and just go real loud bang.




Pete

[Hobbo]

I did 13 bango,s when i was on my P,s ended up putting a centura diff in it.


I use to carry a spare and a jack and all the bits to change it .. 32 minutes is my record.


Where you at i have a heap laying around?
Isnt it funny how different ratio,s do different things 2.78 and 3.08 do sun gears 336 and 355 do the outer bearings and lay the crown over 3.89 do the input bearing and just go real loud bang.

Now that takes me back to my Youth ! I used to blow diffs like that when I was 16 and had to take a regular trip to the local car dump to Pull out...another "Good Diff" Ended up having 2 or 3 in the boot as spares just in case 

[fe350chev]

yeah but thats Pete  he is different 

[FCRB26]

I use to go to lucky,s  scrap metal to get all my banjo,s and now i have a scrap metal yard next to my workshop so i get them and put them in the container things are getting hard to find...


Dean you just didnt like my gay 300zx comment LOL

[fe350chev]

Sort of ............  but who else has blown 13 diff's 

[NES304]

yes,use a p/3 resperator mask...

safer.....

Yes use another bloke....
Safer