What would be the rough diff changing time for someone who is relatively familiar with gearboxes/mechanics, but never done a diff swap on a fabia before?

Will have access to plenty of tools and car will be on a 2 post lift.

I would think about 1-2 hours would cover it once the box is out of the car.

I think it will be a bit more than that

When we was booking them in it was for a day and a half

The gearbox has to be split and the rivets drilled out

More like 12 hours from start to finnish

Sarah

OK, I will allow a whole day. The instructions for fitting my diff don't mention any need for drilling though. Bear in mind the Yank tech speak.

1. Support the car in a secure position with the front wheels removed.

2. Disconnect both left and right CV's from transaxle using 8mm 12 point socket. It is possible to install the kit with only the inner CV removed. To increase access, the axle assembly can be removed entirely by removing the outer axle nut. Before placing the car on jack stand, loosen the outer axle nut. Once the car is supported. Remove the 3 bolts securing the ball joint and the entire axle assembly can be removed. Alignment should be checked later as the ball joint removal may change camber settings. Or disconnect the ball joint, then there’s no alignment needed.

3. Remove excess grease from the drive flange and remove the rubber cap (seal) with a screwdriver.

4. Install the lOmm stud from the flange tool into the differential shaft. (Examine threads prior to threading bolt to verify condition of the threads. If necessary. clean with tap) Slip the clamp over the stud and install the nut. Tighten to keep pressure applied to the flange. The flange is under pressure from the spring and could come off with force if not properly removed.

5. Remove the snap ring and discard (new ring supplied).

6. Remove the flange tool. Save the concave washer if the 40% kit is being installed. It is not used on the 80% kit.

7. The flange has a spring and spring seat. Clean and set these aside.

8. The factory brass ring is now visible. it is one piece but most likely broken Into two pieces Remove it from the shaft. It is not reused. (It may be easier to remove with the seal In step 9 removed.)

9. Remove the flange seal being careful not to damage the seal retaining surface.

10. Install the new lock ring with 45" surface toward differential. (the flange spring seat may aid in installation). With lock seated, place the thrust washer over the shaft. It can be held in place with a thin layer of assembly lube or grease.

11. Install new seal. Place a thin film of grease on the O.D. and the l.D.. Tap in using a flat round plate. With seal In place, verify that the thrust washer is still in place.

12. Install flange with spring seat on spring. Use the tool supplied to seat flange fully on to the splined shaft. Install the concave washer (pressure side out) on the 40% kit only. Install the new snap rIng on both the 40 and 80% kits.

13. Remove flange tool and install rubber cap seal.

14. Install CV's and torque to 33 ft./lbs.

:rofl:

*kaboom*

:rofl:

*kaboom*

It will be if I'm the one armed with the tools doing the job!

is yours a 5 or 6 speed box jason??

6

Jase, I was under the impression that you have to re-use the crown gear ring from the old diff.

Removing it apparently involves carefully drilling out the factory rivets, removing it from the shaft, heating the gear ring itself to expand it and pressing it onto the new LSD, fixing it in place with supplied bolts.

The drilling bit itself requires at the very least a drill-press otherwise you can mess up the crown gear ring thingie...

Save yourself some aggro and take the old diff along with the new one and supplied bolts to a proper machine shop.....

BTW hope you're getting all of this on digital film for posterity's sake.

So our posteriors can know how to follow on after your trailblazing efforts!

Good Luck Mate!!!

Bas

I don't even have the diff yet, mate. Give me a bit of time.

ok - you've got 60 seconds starting from....... now!!!

Hi Basil

You do have a way with words :thumbsup:

Just hope you proove him wrong Jason , in a nice way Basil

Yes I knew you had to heat something up , but it is a fiddly job and I have watched as the lads used to drill the old rivets out , as I used to have my tongue out watching them (its a concentration thing , honest)

Sarah

as I used to have my tongue out watching them (its a concentration thing , honest)

Sarah

Lusting over the mechanics... again?!

I cant make head nor tail of them instructions, are they saying you do the diff in situ????

Good luck on a 6 speed in a Fabia.

I cant make head nor tail of them instructions, are they saying you do the diff in situ????

Good luck on a 6 speed in a Fabia.

I bet Lummox could do it :P:rofl:

Chris

I cant make head nor tail of them instructions, are they saying you do the diff in situ????

Good luck on a 6 speed in a Fabia.

So, in reality, it's a gearbox out job?

lol, yeah.

Dont see how on earth you would split the casing in situ.