General TR Diff Pinion Seal

[Geo Hahn]

A friend needs help replacing the pinion seal on his TR6 diff. I have done this on a TR3 and a TR4 -- is it the same task on an IRS diff? Thanks!

Note - since an IRS has several seals, perhaps I should specify I am referring to the one for the input flange.

 

[TR3driver]

Early or late TR6? Early ones are the same; later units have a crush sleeve to set the spacing inside the diff. Supposedly the sleeve must be replaced every time the nut is removed; but you may be able to get away with just marking the original position and putting it back there after changing the seal.

Moss catalog shows the crush sleeve was introduced at CC61571, which I guess is sometime in 1970. Of course, someone may have swapped diffs around ...

 

[titanic]

I think you will have to remove the diff from the car (on IRS models) to change the pinion seal as access is very limited and the front mounting plate will have to be removed. Also, the seals on the axles should be changed at the same time. Removing the axle flanges to change the seals can be challenging without the proper fixture to support the flange. Phil will probably offer his services of separating the flange for just the cost of shipping.
I think the change from the solid spacer to the collapsible one occurred later the comm. number listed in the catalogs. Solid spacers are usually used with a castellated nut and solid spacers with a nylock nut. At least, that is the way they left the factory.
Berry

 

[Geo Hahn]

It's a '73 though I do not have the commission number handy. I'll 'advise him of his rights' and get more info.

Time is an issue (a Brit who is only in Tucson until spring) as is expense (as it always is).

Thanks for the responses.

 

[titanic]

Whoops! Collapsible spacers are used with nylock nuts.
Berry

 

[TR3driver]

Come to think of it, maybe Berry is right. I don't wrench on TR6 very often, but helped a buddy with his some years ago. We did drop the diff, I just don't recall for certain if that was only to change that seal or whether he was also concerned over the condition of the diff mounts to the frame (a known weak spot). IIRC we did find some cracks that could not be seen before lowering it, and he trailered the car off to have reinforcements welded in.