V6 rear axle needs replacing. Is the Diesel 2wd compatible?

[Fluff2005]

Hi all,

About 3 months ago I acquired Bongo V6 with LPG. A bit of a project vehicle as it was a little rough around the edges. However it is turning into more of a project than I expected! There was a fairly quiet whine coming from the rear axle. I thought I would get the rear axle oil changed. What came out was a very thick gloppy substance. I now know why!!! The oil was replaced with 75w90 and the axle leaks like a sieve from both around one hub and also from around where the prop shaft connects. Rather than patch it up ( which is what the previous owner did along with a few other questionable things I have found) it will give up the ghost sometime so I am opting to replace it with a 2nd hand one. Now here is the question... Is the V6 rear axle the same as a diesel model or even the 2L version?

Thanks

[winchman]

Why not replace the seals its a simple DIY ish job

[Northern Bongolow]

it maybe a limited slip diff, so it may have the wrong oil in it.
also iff its blown some seals it may have the diff breather blocked, they can be blocked with underseal or can rust shut, twist it round to loosen it off.
its on the top,nearly every van i work on has stuck shut breathers. theres one on the transfer box,and another on the manual gearbox too for the 4wd guys out there.

[Fluff2005]

It's whining anyway, so it's probably on its way out. It may be a false economy to change the seals only to have to change it anyway.

If I do have to resort to that is there a "how to" guide anywhere on changing the seals. I noted the seal kits are expensive as well assuming I am looking at the right ones.

Cheers.

[Fluff2005]

Hi northern bongolow, I just noticed your comment. I will try and loosen the breather. I did not believe LSD was fitted to any 2wd variants so I did not consider a different oil.

I have had a look around and thought I may switch the oil to Redline Heavy shockproof until I can find a suitable rear axle replacement or if the diff stops whining with using this stuff ... Swap the seals perhaps.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[teenmal]

Hi do you know exactly what is causing the noise, it could just be a wheel bearing or the pinion bearing.the ones where the oil seals are leaking, If you had to fit a second hand axle it would be advisable to replace the oil seals (they often dry out after lying for a while.( unless you are going for a reconditioned unit).

PS
Wynns and Forte etc oil products are often worth a Punt especially when a whining noise is present.

[scanner]

It is also likely that the diff ratio is different between petrol and diesel - it often is because petrols usually rev higher for a given road speed than diesels.

Diesels do about 2600 rpm @ 70 I would "THINK" (I don't know as I've never even been in one) that a petrol is doing over 3000 rpm at 70 and that is quite a difference.

However if the ratio difference is handled by the gearbox the diff may be the same.

[New Forest Terrier]

Petrol 2wd drive can have Limited Slip Differentials fitted. Mine has. Its an early model 95, so they were fitted from the start. There is a Russian website where you can check the original specification.

[teenmal]

It is also likely that the diff ratio is different between petrol and diesel - it often is because petrols usually rev higher for a given road speed than diesels.

Diesels do about 2600 rpm @ 70 I would "THINK" (I don't know as I've never even been in one) that a petrol is doing over 3000 rpm at 70 and that is quite a difference.

However if the ratio difference is handled by the gearbox the diff may be the same.

The final drive gear ratio is std 4.100

[teenmal]

It is also likely that the diff ratio is different between petrol and diesel - it often is because petrols usually rev higher for a given road speed than diesels.

Diesels do about 2600 rpm @ 70 I would "THINK" (I don't know as I've never even been in one) that a petrol is doing over 3000 rpm at 70 and that is quite a difference.

However if the ratio difference is handled by the gearbox the diff may be the same.

The final drive gear ratio is std 4.100

[scanner]

It is also likely that the diff ratio is different between petrol and diesel - it often is because petrols usually rev higher for a given road speed than diesels.

Diesels do about 2600 rpm @ 70 I would "THINK" (I don't know as I've never even been in one) that a petrol is doing over 3000 rpm at 70 and that is quite a difference.

However if the ratio difference is handled by the gearbox the diff may be the same.

The final drive gear ratio is std 4.100

So the overall gearing is set by the gearbox ratios then.

[winchman]

You may find its jjsut a standard off the shelp seal but you would have to remove it first to measure it, then it might just be a few quid for a new one.
I would be tempted to do very little till you are certain whats causing the noise

[Simon Jones]

I think my V6 also runs at 2600 RPM at 70 MPH, which would suggest its the same as diesel. I would contact some of the breakers on eBay as there are a few V6's being broken at the moment.

[scanner]

I think my V6 also runs at 2600 RPM at 70 MPH, which would suggest its the same as diesel. I would contact some of the breakers on eBay as there are a few V6's being broken at the moment.

That would be unusual given the very different torque curves and peak power rpm.
It would also suggest a theoretical top speed about 50% higher than a diesel.

[Simon Jones]

Maybe it was at 60 rather than 70? Dunno, it's in hibernation at the moment. The top gear lockup is just over 40 MPH which was much the same as my previous diesel.

A quick check of the part numbers on Lush Projects should confirm if rear diffs are the same.