Swap open diff for LSD ?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Post Reply
Merlot man
Bongolier
Posts: 386
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:06 pm
Location: Co Clare, Ireland

Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Merlot man » Thu Dec 12, 2019 9:08 pm

Hello all
Just wondering if it's possible to swap my open diff from a 95 2.5 TD 4WD to an lsd in the rear ?
I have a knock coming from the rear and it might be coming from here and this might be an opportunity to upgrade if possible . :D
Also if I an replacing the diff ;
1.- has anyone got a good one , open or lsd ,for sale , and
2. - if I do end up replacing the diff what else should I replace in the lines of seals etc
As always thanks in advance
Brian
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Bob » Fri Dec 13, 2019 12:50 am

I chatted with Allan (Bongo expert, Plymouth) a while back and seem to recal he'd done one and it's a straight swap.

Not sure what would be good to replace as 'best practice', though.
Merlot man
Bongolier
Posts: 386
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:06 pm
Location: Co Clare, Ireland

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Merlot man » Fri Dec 13, 2019 8:34 am

Thanks bob , that's nice to know .
The best practice question is a go I'd point
Brian
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Bob » Sat Dec 14, 2019 8:14 pm

No, they're not. :wink:

It was an option, and I've an idea there is a marking, but can't remember what. :oops:

Edit: Maybe the Russian site reveals this info from chassis no?
User avatar
g8dhe
Supreme Being
Posts: 10179
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:06 pm
Location: Worthing, West Sussex.
Contact:

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by g8dhe » Sat Dec 14, 2019 9:31 pm

Apparently the LSD should have a Yellow sticker attached to the case.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
Image Spherical Visions
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Bob » Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:26 pm

Well done Geoff.

That rings a bit of a bell. =D>
Merlot man
Bongolier
Posts: 386
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:06 pm
Location: Co Clare, Ireland

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Merlot man » Sun Dec 15, 2019 12:18 pm

According to the Russian site mine has an open diff .
I'm looking into this as I have a knocking noise coming from the middle / rear of the bus .
My mechanic has had a quick look ( busy before Christmas ) bus he is saying either the diff, hence the quiry , or the transfer box :shock:
The noise happens at about 45/50mph and when I lift off the throttle .
Does anyone know if the transfer box can be rebuilt or replaced or removed from the gearbox entirely to make it 2 wd.
He talks about having done this before on old landys bur I think he simply disconnected the front prop shaft .
I'm trying to get a picture of a few sinerios to make deciding a suitable solution easier .
To be honest I don't REALLY need the 4WD but it would be nice to keep if possible [-o<
Thanks in advance for all comments and help
Brian
cwilliams255
Bongolier
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:04 pm
Location: Sheffield

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by cwilliams255 » Sun Dec 15, 2019 11:56 pm

I recently had my open diff replaced with lsd on my 4wd. Bought it from eBay for £90 spent a bit of time cleaning it up and making sure gear mesh was good, took a while for garage to fit. A lot of the bolts were seized in the casing, oil that came out was like tar and maybe unsurprisingly there was some damage inside to gearing. I didn’t actually notice any problems I just thought it was a nice little upgrade to get my 4wd upto 3wd when going was difficult :D .Haven't been anywhere yet where I can say I’ve noticed a difference however knowing how knackered the old diff was it was totally worth it
User avatar
Gripped
Bongolier
Posts: 442
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:38 pm
Location: S. Wales

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Gripped » Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:03 pm

We swapped our standard rear diff on our 2WD Bongo. It made a huge difference to grip in the winter snow (coupled with winter tyres). It sometimes skipped a little on corners in the wet when pulling away, but overall it was a great addition.

I think all it needed to fit was new gearbox oil, and new sealant on the diff housing. It's not a difficult job for a garage, and can be done by competent DIYer.

We sold our old Bongo and put the original diff back on, so we have our LSD up for grabs for a reasonable offer.

I have a video of it in action if interested.
Merlot man
Bongolier
Posts: 386
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:06 pm
Location: Co Clare, Ireland

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Merlot man » Fri Dec 20, 2019 4:46 pm

Hello Toby
I've seat a PM in relation to this
Thanks
Brian
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Bob » Fri Dec 20, 2019 11:51 pm

If Brian has this, sound. :)

If it's still up for offer I'm interested. 8)
Merlot man
Bongolier
Posts: 386
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:06 pm
Location: Co Clare, Ireland

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Merlot man » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:40 pm

Hello all
Just updating this tread
After looking at the front and rear prop shafts and replacing the front diff , the knocking noise turned out to be the transfer box so thanks to one supplied by bongo spares it was replaced last Tuesday and I’m glad to report that the noise is no more 👍
Just in time for the bad weather on the way !
I hope this is of help to others with a similar noise , obviously we looked at the props first as advised by members on here as well as bongo spares but for my bus it was the transfer box .
Bob , I didn’t get the lsd as I couldn’t get to the bottom of whether it was for a petrol or diesel bongo . I might talk to bongo spares if I still decide to upgrade
I hope this is of some help to members .
Thank you all again for your help and advice
Brian
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Swap open diff for LSD ?

Post by Bob » Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:50 pm

Really useful update, thanks Brian.

Great news you have an answer. =D>
Post Reply

Return to “Techie Stuff”