Differential output shaft seal replacement - bearings

[vee12eman]

Hi all,
I have an S3 which appears to have a differential which is non-standard for S3 cars. The manual states there should be ball bearings on the two output shafts, but I have taper rollers with what looks like a crushable spacer separator. The bearings are in good condition, I am merely replacing the output shaft seals.

Here’s one of the bearings, the tie-wrap is merely to ensure the order is not mixed up on reassembly. The seal is already removed at this stage.





The differential serial number:



It looks like:
H 76
P
2885

I want to re-use the bearings. Do I need a new deformable/crushable spacer, or can I re-use this one, by tightening the nut to the same slot of the tab washer? The nut was not very tight, relatively easy to undo rather than super tight as I half expected.
If I require a new spacer, what is the part number and where can I get one? It’s not listed in the parts manual and I haven’t been able to identify one in the other parts manuals for other models, which list spacers and shims.

Can anyone help, I’m in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, if there’s anyone I can talk to/visit, but I don’t really want to farm out the whole job, which rather defeats the object of my ownership, which includes doing the maintenance myself wherever possible.

This is the S3 manual image, clearly a double row ball bearing with a different casting to hold the seal and bearing/s

[mgcjag]

Hi Simon....the S2 and S3 diff originally used as in your photo(drawing)
a double row ball bearing....this is no longer available and the usuals only supply a very poor alternative.....an upgrade is to use the o/p shaft and houseing that you have from a later xj6 diff that uses easily available taper bearings....you diff has the date number 77 so the complete diff has been changed at some time....typically when fitting new bearings and new crush sleeve you tighten up to pre load for around 24lbf/in turning of the o/p shaft......however as far as im aware used bearings have no spec for set up.....you could just tighten up to the existing crushed sleeve but this assumes it was set up correctly originally...crush sleeves are available from the usuals....Steve...your replacing the oil seal...ensure you polish the shaft or sleeve it if its too scored

[mgcjag]

Simon.....lots of info here if you search diff output shaft

[vee12eman]

Yes, I did a search but I wasn’t confident that I had found the right info, now feeling much happier, thanks again.

[44DHR]

Yes, there is plenty of information on this Forum.
Try this post regarding the difference between the Ball Bearing and Taper Bearing Output Shafts :-

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17581&p=143759&hili ... ft#p143759

Regards,
Dave

[mgcjag]

Just to add that there is information in the XJ6 S3 service manual on set up for both fitting new bearings....and reusing the old ones......Steve PS drawing of the later xj6 diff

[angelw]

Simon Wrote:

The bearings are in good condition, I am merely replacing the output shaft seals.

Hello Simon,
Although hard to tell the condition of a bearing from a picture, the colour of the rollers in your first picture doesn't give me the impression of a bearing in good condition.

Simon Wrote:

I want to re-use the bearings. Do I need a new deformable/crushable spacer, or can I re-use this one, by tightening the nut to the same slot of the tab washer? The nut was not very tight, relatively easy to undo rather than super tight as I half expected.

The collapsible spacers in the output shaft application require a LOT of torque to get them to start to collapse, generally, considerably more than 200 lb/ft torque, and not much less when you reach the target pre-load of the bearings, determined by the amount of torque required to rotate the output shaft in its bearing system. The spacers in this system, due to their relatively small width, have a tendency to loose their resistance to the force being applied by the securing nut, similar to how the loss of, say, 6 inch length of strain on a short run of fence wire is more significant, than the same loss in a much longer run. Accordingly, I suspect the bearings weren't at the correct pre-load prior to you dismantling the assembly.

At the price of the taper roller bearings in the system of your differential, I would be replacing the bearings, for a great deal of doing so has already been done at the stage you're at.

Regards,

Bill

[vee12eman]

Thanks Bill, I’ll be changing them, they do look a little dark/possible signs of overheating.

[vee12eman]

Well after a few weeks and a couple of visits to Bill’s amazing workshop, I’m glad to say my seals are replaced, as are the output shaft bearings. I still have to build up and refit the IRS but it’s all had a refresh and should go together nicely. I also learned a heck of a lot about Jaguar Differential units. Who knew that there would be so many variations? At least it appears I have one of the better designs so I’m pretty happy about that.
Thanks to Bill Angel and also to anyone that offered assistance and advice along the way. I should soon be back on the road.