Fitting ZF differential into PACE Cobra

[xb-60]

Hello again. This time fitting the ZF differential into the chassis.
Tried for an hour this afternoon, and the big lump still isn't in.

Any suggestions for method of attack are appreciated. Here are some pics of where it's sitting at the moment....


Viewed from RHS:



Viewed from rear:




Viewed from left/rear:




I remember - a number of years ago now - refitting a 350 Honda twin back into the frame. It took about two hours of juggling, and then it finally just easily dropped into place, and I thought "what the ....".
Same deal here no doubt.


Thanks in advance....I might owe you a beer

Cheers,
Glen

[1795]

Wish I could help you here Glen, but have no experience with the ZF and your frame, but I think that you are correct in that you will be wiggling it around and all of a sudden it will jet drop in place. I have had that happen several times on my build where a part just does not want to fit, and then suddenly it is in place. Good luck.


Jim

[BJ's Snake]

Mine did just drop in..but after patience run out, pain set in.. arms tiring..
then in it went.
Just make sure your hand isn't underneath when it does drop!

Cheers

[muzzza]

Going in from RH side.......Raise rear of diff as high as possible - slide it back / rotate diff to get it back as far as you can ( not easy, still holding the diff up !! )........then nose of diff should swing across into place easily. Had mine in and out quite a few times.

[MikeFromPerth]

In your "viewed from rear" picture, the rear diff bolt hole needs to be below that little horizontal aluminium boss, not above it

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by BJ's Snake

....make sure your hand isn't underneath when it does drop!

FULLY understood (and no, the red in the second picture is not blood)

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by muzzza

Going in from RH side.......Raise rear of diff as high as possible - slide it back / rotate diff to get it back as far as you can ( not easy, still holding the diff up !! )........then nose of diff should swing across into place easily. Had mine in and out quite a few times.

Thanks Muzz. Do I need to keep the rear up high as I swing it around 90 degrees?

Will be at it again tomorrow.

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by MikeFromPerth

In your "viewed from rear" picture, the rear diff bolt hole needs to be below that little horizontal aluminium boss, not above it

Agreed. If it was below the boss, it would just about be in.

Cheers,
Glen

[deano59]

i think from memory there was one bolt that needed to be removed from the diff and put back once the diff was in place. i wrestled mine in place it did go in backwards and almost on its side once in there it just kind of fell in place

[xb-60]

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. Diff. is in.
Amazing what a difference a little advice along with fitting it first thing in the morning rather than at the end of the day makes.

Cheers
Glen

[LoBelly]

photos or it didn't happen..

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by LoBelly

photos or it didn't happen..

Cripes....tough crowd.
OK, tomorrow

[xb-60]

Been trying to load pictures since last Thursday; not able to until this morning....Club Cobra keeps crashing on me as well

So...yes I got the diff. fitted last week; here's the requested 'proof' picture .....




Cheers
Glen

[tkb289]

Good job trying it on your own first, but if not successful, seeking advice from those that have been down the path before you is a wise move.

[xb-60]

Thanks Tim. Learnt a long time ago that there are benefits from not being too proud to ask

Another challenge is that I don't appear to have the two front differential mount shear brackets plus associated hardware, so here's another question for PACE builders....the brackets aren't listed as a line item on the packing list (I could be wrong, but I've been through the list line-by-line twice) and the bolts/nuts/washers are listed as in boxes M1 and S1/2 ....but they ain't there.
I haven't yet been able to contact my primary source up on the GC.
Am I not looking in the right place?

Cheers,
Glen

[BJ's Snake]

Listed on my packing list as box C for the brackets.
Nuts and bolts were packed as well, not sure which parts container.

Would have been packed around the same time so should be there I would think.
I know I chased up parts that I thought were missing only to find them later in amongst
the stuff.

Cheers
Brett

[xb-60]

Cheers Brett. Will check box C tomorrow.

[xb-60]

Brett - PM sent.