Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

David, the only other option to get the shaft as new is to have it welded up and machined off to the right size. There is a place in JHB which I have used before that weld up damaged crankes and camshafts and grind them off to their original size.

Thanks Michael, that has been mentioned as an option. But I don't think the damage is that bad, and by the looks of it, the standard seals seem to have enough tolerance to get around a "polishing" of up to 1/2mm. And the easy sleeve is also an option at around R300. To weld and machine requires heat treating the part again to return to strength. This all sounds expensive and over kill for this little part and leaves room for things to go wrong if the processes are not done 100%.

mmmm I also thinks that the hole will distort when welding....????????

Wilkie wrote:mmmm I also thinks that the hole will distort when welding....????????

if you do buy a aftermarket seal check the directional on the seal

I only see that seal going in one way. It has an open back. I will however give it a layer of RTV on its seating surface where it meats the diff casing. After 37 years it is possible that the casing could give a problem sealing to the oil seal outer ring.

I am amazed I found an aftermarket seal in the first place. According to the lady at Seal Services, that is a very strange size.

David, this may be a little part, but have you ssen what happens if it breaks on a steep uphill?

By all means. Try polishing it first, but if that doesn't work, vet the job done right or find a replacement part.

davidvdm wrote: I only see that seal going in one way. It has an open back. I will however give it a layer of RTV on its seating surface where it meats the diff casing. After 37 years it is possible that the casing could give a problem sealing to the oil seal outer ring.

I am amazed I found an aftermarket seal in the first place. According to the lady at Seal Services, that is a very strange size.

On some seals it has little arrows as to which rotation the shaft must turn .....

My Nissan has reverse gear, nou wat nou

I don't think we have that issue here

I have not been on here for ages. That seal got done, and the diff is in the Sani. LSD works super in sand and spins both wheels. My gearing worked out great as well with a crawl ratio I am very happy with. It breaks traction on the 33's at normal engine idle on gravel and sand, and will just stand there churning away and digging itself in.

I do however have a fair amount of slack in the diff, and found there to be some play on the pinion. Nobody can give me the size of the bearings I need for replacement on the pinion. Does anybody have the bearing sizes? It would be a great help if I can purchase these before pulling the diff.