RA2x diff housing similarities

[Gleno28]

Can't find much info...
Just about to do up a Mk II diff for the RA28 but finding a RA28 diff, let alone the housing is becoming pretty hard to send off as a jig. Does anyone know if RA23/40/22 diffs have the same mounting points as the 28's for suspension etc
Cheers
Glen.

[Norbie]

RA23 is definitely the same, I think RA40 is similar but the mounts are in slightly different positions (memory is a little hazy here).

EDIT: I also have a MkII diff I want to put in my RA23. Where are you getting the work done, and any idea on costs?

[Gleno28]

Cheers for that, i'll see what i can dig up

After hunting around, most diff places didn't seem too interested, eventually got onto a place/bloke called Fireball near morayfield, seemed keen and knowledgeable about what i wanted, quoted around $300, that's for the jig making and mount relocation. Just deciding whether to go for the supra LSD at the same time + bearings etc, i guess i could do that myself. I've also got corona discs to go on eventually. Should be bolt up??

From what i can gather, it won't need to be cut down either, it's about 40mm wider than the standard which makes up for the about 40mm diff in less track at the back.

Also, he said there would be about a 5 week wait too.
Fireball - 07 54978122
See how you go, Cheers
Glen.

[Norbie]

Thanks for the info.

[o_man_ra23]

Mate, any xA2x diff will be correct for mount positions. The RA40 diff is too wide and has incorrect mounts as such, but can be used as a donor for the mounts as they are physically the same. So the jig can be made from an xA2x diff, if you can borrow one as a sample, and then cut the mounts from a not so rare RA40, and these can be welded onto the new diff.

Cheers, Owen

[stradlater]

I think that's a large call... I don't think 22 diffs are exactly the same as the 23 ones..

[o_man_ra23]

tis a large call.. but not unfounded. The early TA22 diffs were the uber crap D series, and the later ones the T series. But... they still had the same suspension layout as the RA2x. The D series from the early TA22 that i pulled out would have fit my RA23 if i wanted to take a step back.

Cheers, Owen

[Gleno28]

Cheers for that guys, kinda doubles my chances of finding a diff from either 23 or 28's i guess.
Glen.

[Gold28]

The RA40's will fit the trailing arms at a pinch, they are a little wider in the mounts but the rubber bushes allows the fit. The panhard rod definitly won't line up though and the diff is physically wider (although same width as the MX23).

Word of advice, don't stuff around with trying to reuse the old mounts. Making new ones is much easier. Just re-use the spring seats and shock mounts.

[stradlater]

The RA40's will fit the trailing arms at a pinch, they are a little wider in the mounts but the rubber bushes allows the fit. The panhard rod definitly won't line up though and the diff is physically wider (although same width as the MX23).

Word of advice, don't stuff around with trying to reuse the old mounts. Making new ones is much easier. Just re-use the spring seats and shock mounts.

What, making new mounts on the new diff is easier than cutting the ones off the 23 diff and putting it on the new diff?

[Lambolica]

Yes, It isn't as easy as it looks to cut the existing mounts off without weakening the mount itself. Than being said not impossible with the correct tools.

[stradlater]

Ok, well, fair enough, but that's what happened to my diff installation, and that hasn't done a thing.. Despite the beating it's taken.

[o_man_ra23]

The RA40's will fit the trailing arms at a pinch, they are a little wider in the mounts but the rubber bushes allows the fit.

This is definitely not a reccomended practice.

Im toying with the idea of using an RA23 panhard rod on a lowered RA40 to give possible correct diff alignment... ill report on that if i try it in another thread (ill be getting an adjustable item, or watts link for the RA23, so it will be of no consequence if i use it and the bushes in the RA40)

Cheers, Owen

[Gold28]

The 23 panhard rod will be a few inches too short. This is made worse on a lowered car.

Strad, if you are using a G series diff then the axle tubes are a lot bigger and you can afford to butcher the mounts a little. The F series has the same diameter axle tubes as the T series and it is very difficult to get the T series mounts off without damaging the area around the axle tube. Especially on the mount with the panhard rod and spring seat all bunched up together.

I made new mounts up out of sheet, It only took a few hours. Actually, the jig took longer than the mounts.

[o_man_ra23]

Gold28... When lowering a car, the panhard rod needs to be shortened, otherwise it will kick the diff to one side (to the left on RWD celicas). In this fashion, by putting a shortened rod in, it will pull the diff to the right. I dont know if it will pull the diff far enough, or too far, but I am willing to take the chance as i have nothing to lose except a few minutes of my time (as i want to put the near new bushes from my 23 into the 40 anyway)

Cheers, Owen