I have had one image back from the diff and the rebuild was the right idea, it wouldn't have lasted long - if I get more pics I will post.

 

I take it that is one of the carrier bearings' outer races, Ben?
Good catch. What on earth could have casued those marks? They look like the marks on my hub bearings that were caused by the 40 tonne hammering press, but FAR worse! Still and all, your Angel Voices steered you right this time!

 

I have no idea the cause - waiting on some more pictures, it was described by Ben @ Simply Performance as an outer race, they think it could be corrosion from water ingress / too long standing immobile, I cannot say one way or another because I don't know the history of the diff, looks like a bit more than corrosion i.e. whoever installed last time hammered the race home with a bearing - so very similar to your press pattern. When I get more pic's I will post them.

 

Dodged a bullet or two. You can see the corrosion on the crown wheel starting but this is still light and will clean up. The planetary gear set is a bit worn/chipped but will go again. The clutch plates are a bit iffy will be swapping out the flat ones that have picked up. The 2 x belleville ones look worn and are scored am going to replace these 2 as well.

Don't let your cars stand boys and girls.



Belleville scored





Box of diff bits ....

Some chips

Surface rust

Pickup and scuffing on plates

 

Ben
I really think that crownwheel looks dreadful. Are you sure those corrosion holes will be OK?

 

Was my feeling to - I told them not to compromise - in some ways I'm glad it is bad if only to justify the insane spend I just embarked on, wasn't that impressed with the chips on the planet gears either. I was assured that the rust was 100% surface that left much longer it would have been toast, but it looks worse than that to me.

I wonder how many diffs that have been standing for extended periods look this way, taking a car out of retirement is no joke, perhaps I should list all the challenges for anyone else feeling brave enough to take on a 'barn find' Jaguar .....

 

These diffs are tough things, mine had broken shafts that carry the spider gears and horrible bearings, and it wasn't that noisy.

 

Now I don't think mine so bad - damn - surprised that thing didn't whine like a banshee - how on earth do you break a planet shaft ?

That bearing is rough - really really rough ...

 

I didn't break the shaft, the previous owner did. I wondered why it was so ridiculously easy to squeal the tires in a corner. At first I though it was the cheap Chinese tires on the car.

It did make bearing noise in corners, but on the straight was surprisingly quiet. Then I did an oil change and the oil came out looking like silver paint. At that point I removed the diff and stripped it down and rebuilt it. Basically all I saved was the crown and pinion gear. Everything else I replaced, including the case which was warped.

I found that the later case/housing ( my car is a 94) are considerably thinner walled than the earlier ones. I used a case and limited slip components from a 1986 Sovereign, and the case walls were easily twice as thick. It was a much sturdier case.

 

I’ve been Vntage racing with that Differential.. since the mid 1970’s. I’ve “rebuilt” several during restorations. Mostly it’s just take it apart replace the bearings & seals ( more as a precaution than any real need ). Put it back together with paint, powder coating, and chrome. ( shiny looks good)

 

Ben
I think you have had very bad luck with that diff. My car stood for about 4 years between 2005 and 2009 and the crownwheel was perfect and so were the planetary ones. There is more to the state of your diff than just standing, I am certain.

 

Yeh, that is not a normal Jaguar diff in my experience. I’ve never opened one in that bad of condition. Even long term junkyard ones, the bearings could be reused. Occasionally if the proper additive hasn’t been used the positraction plates will need to be replaced.