Audi Quattro diff

[Graeme Stebbing]

Hi guys, Maybe someone has an answer for this one , i have an Audi diff i want to use up front in my project,with an Audi Quattro box mid engined, due to the unusual layout i find i will have to rotate the diff input shaft in the opposite direction to which it turned in the donor car, does anyone know if this is possible, it is a fairy solid unit and has a diff lock assembly that will not be used, would i have to get the gear lash etc readjusted, it has large twin ball bearings at each end of the pinion shaft and a large nut holding the drive flange on.
If i reverse its drive is it likely to last pic attached.

Regards
Lambo

 

[Chris P.]

Sorry - I don't understand the question. Are you asking if it's alright to turn the input in the opposite direction so the output turns correctly, or your situation is one where if you hook it up right now, the outputs will turn in the wrong direction and what can you do about it?

Either way - if you hook it up right now the way the drive train is layed out and the outputs spin in the wrong direction, then flip the whole unit over. Doing this will not only spin the outputs in the opposite (correct) direction, but the ring & pinion will still mesh the same. The big issue is lubrication. You will have to take a best guess as to if it can work and how much lube, then try it and keep tabs on it.

 

[Randy V]

It's been mentioned in these forums before but introducing torque to any great degree on the coast side of the gears is an invitation for early failure.. Look at the saw-tooth design of any ring or pinion gear and the logic will be self evident.
The torque interface is to the shorter side of the gears..

 

[Graeme Stebbing]

Thanks guys, Yes i need to turn the input shaft in the opposite direction, due to the drive train layout, and turning the diff over won't resolve it, and raises lubrication problems as well, and is not possible due to packaging and mounting issues, so i guess i will have to drive the crown wheel from the coast side of the pinion, and cross fingers, the diffs are $80 at the u pull it here so not a huge cost if it dies i might buy 2 or 3 to be on the safe side.

Regards
Lambo

 

[AdrianBurton]

Lambo,

Can you flip the diff inside the case??? possibly with some machining like they do with the flipped porsche gearboxes??

 

[Graeme Stebbing]

Hi Rufazz, that's a good idea, i will investigate the inside and see if its a go.

Regards
Lambo

 

[Russ Noble]

Lambo,

From the photo that looks like a hypoid diff so I believe swapping the gear to the other side is not an option because of the angle of the teeth. Swapping only works with spiral bevel.

Cheers,

 

[Jonesy]

Lambo,
From the photo that looks like a hypoid diff so I believe swapping the gear to the other side is not an option because of the angle of the teeth. Swapping only works with spiral bevel.

Could you provide a quick image of both on hear so we can see the different teeth, i have wondered the same about flipping diffs to change drive direction. Lubrication isnt an issue as i can overcome that but handling the torque, diff whine as in the sound some make in reverse etc is the problem.
thanks