Diff carrier bracket

Post by **Spav** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:53

Could someone please confirm the orientation of the cross diff carrier bracket please. Does it fit with the centerline of the diff bolt holes to the front or to the back of the centerline of the carrier?

Thanks

chris knowles · Post by **chris knowles** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 13:23

Hi Spav,

Hopefully I can help on this one. Due to my fear of not being able to reassemble the car properly I have photo documented it being taken apart, (in a semi obsessive way!!).

Here is my Excel ('83), in all its rusty grimy glory!

Standard Diff:

The next two are of the LSD still in the car:

If anyone else needs pictures of stuff that they can't see without taking the body off, just shout, I can probably help.

One had harmonic mushroom jobbies, and one didn't, (they may have just fallen off!!).

Chris

bash · Post by **bash** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 16:16

Ive got to take my diff out due to oil leaks. Ive got a limited slip diff to go back in. Any hints on removing would be helpful cos I value my knuckle skin !

robertverhey · Post by **robertverhey** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:25

Hello

Try this thread for starters....

http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... highlight=

Robert

bash · Post by **bash** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 09:01

Ooo eck, I thought it maight be a pain to get out. Thanks for that.

chris knowles · Post by **chris knowles** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 09:55

It is relatively straight forward if you have lots of sockets to choose from, because in some areas you need a long socket, and in other areas there is no room at all to put the ratchet and you need a socket 1/2 inch deep to get it on the bolt head..... (or some very bent spanners). On mine the bolts all went with an almighty crack, but there was no need get the grinder out. I had it a bit easier because I had already removed all the rear suspension and brakes and exhausts.

When I removed my diff bracket one of the rubber mounts fixed in the end had rotted away into a grey gloop, and was therefore unusable. One call to Mike Taylor later.... and I had a replacement one.

Some have said that the carrier is prone to cracks, but I can't see any in mine, I might have been lucky.

Chris

terry · Post by **terry** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:30

You have been lucky, I think.

I've taken four Excel diffs out from '84 to my present one '89.On all of them the diff carrier had cracked in the same place, at the place were the metal folds over and is welded on one side.

Easy to sort, and I beefed it up with a double thickness plate.

Terry

steven popay · Post by **steven popay** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 22:25

I have 2 cracked brackets and like Terry i have beefed one up with some extra plating

bash · Post by **bash** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:07

Well, Ive done it. It all looks very smart cos Ive painted everything on the rear suspension, I took off alot more than you needed to so that I could refurbish the back just to make it look pretty. I think my carrier bracket is slightly different to some Ive seen with no folded/welded bit, and mine had no cracks. When Ive figured out how to post photies Ill post them and let you see. Thanks for the advice. It was relatively straightforward. I havnt driven it far yet to comment on what difference the LSD makes. Ill do a post later when I get the time. Im a bit busy at the moment. Im hoping to go to the parts fair if I can get on with some stuff so Ive got an incentive to work on.

The Lotus Grand Tourers

Diff carrier bracket

Diff carrier bracket

On-line parts manual

diff bracket