Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I decided to fabricate a solid sleeve for my differential's pinion, instead
of using the standard crush sleeve. It has been an adventure. The fun is a
large part of the reason why I choose the "path less travelled," not the
practical aspects. I enjoy tackling the difficult. I admit, a crush sleeve
works fine (but is a compromise). I wanted to have fun (playing with the
parts).

I had a local machine shop generate the solid sleeve - twice. The first
fabricated sleeve had its ID slightly too small, wouldn't quite slide over
my pinion shaft. And my adjusting shims had both ID and OD slightly too
large. The shims I bought from McMaster-Carr were slight too large (ID =
1.25") for the pinion shaft (a sloppy fit) and the OD (=1.75") intefered
(slightly) with the cage of the bearing race. Hmmm. Close but no cigar.

But I have a smart machinist. He honed the ID of his fabricated sleeve to
fit just so. Very nice. And he machined a ledge into one end of his sleeve
to fit the ID of my shims. My adjusting shims are now centered (by his
ledge). Don't you love a good machinst? I will have to grind a few
thousandths (less than 0.003") from the OD of one shim to clear the bearing
cage - no big thing. It all fits so well. So solid.

Thanks to Roger for his guidance. Anyone want to by my unused new crush
sleeve (now redundant - for life)?

Rich Boyd

Richard
I would keep the crush washer until you get a 1000 miles or so on your diff!
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR

Why Ken????


Richard
I would keep the crush washer until you get a 1000 miles or so on your diff!
Ken
'69 +2 with BDR


























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Richard
I'm a skeptic. I am a great believer in taking out 'play' in mechanical
items, but when temperature changes are involved I worry about replacing a
proven system with one that "feels" right. Diff's are pretty tolerant but
I'm not so sure about that one bearing. No experience just skeptical.
Ken