Hello all,

I purchased an M Factory LSD for my Mini Cooper S, and have had the driver side axle keep popping out of the M Factory Diff. It’s a helical LSD, does anyone else run an the diff and have the same issue? I am in the process of rebuilding the engine, and am trying to justify if I need another LSD that would work. Please let me know, thank you!

 

Curious, as I have an MFactory diff waiting to go into my gearbox... Are you sure the axel clip is fully seating? Was it replaced when swapping out the diff?

 

What I'd like to know is -
EVERYTHING has manufacturing tolerances. I'll be installing a new limited slip differential in my JCW next spring (after the rains end). The factory unit is broken.
I see no side to side adjustments anywhere in the case. If the new limited slip unit is a little long, it'll burn up the carrier bearings from too much side load. If it's a little short, it be sloppy loose, and again, tear up the bearings.

Am I missing something ?

Mike

 

Do they not make shim packs for adjusting the carrier bearing preload? Normally this is part of setting up a diff in order to get a good pattern and bearing preload.

 

Scott -

No...
The Mini drive gears are not...of the crown gear design. They are a spur gear design.
So in fact, the gear mesh can be a little off, side to side without harm. The tooth mesh is not affected by side to side location.

BUT, the "length" of the differential (bearing location) is as it sits in the trans-axle case.

So again, how is it measured and adjusted to attain the proper bearing preload.

Mike

 

Here's an axle story that I was reminded of by your difficulties.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

As I commented in the thread above...
What looks to be about .25" of spline engagement, is pretty weak. I'd be scared of that. Or, is that the problem that I'm looking at ?

Mike

 

The same problem is what I had after I bought gkn axles. Thanks for the link!

 

Nearly 140K on the factory LSD and it's never popped out an axel. The factory LSD may not be what you all are really wanting but reliability is something.