Identifying rear diffs!

Stop messing around! Pull a half-shaft and see what is fitted. That's the only fool-proof way to find out exactly what is in the 'box'.

Sorry, if it is not apparent from my OP that 10 spline in brackets means that I have done exactly that, i.e. the driveshafts have 10 splines. Hence all my confusion and the request for assistance.

In fairness, there have been two earlier threads, but in order to avoid overloading the thread with many strands I was trying to post any questions that arose, but were not directly related, separately.

Rgds Richard

Apologies if I missed that!

Your 3EA343xxx is just younger than my old one 3EA347xxx. This had 10 spline shafts, no ABS and a conventional UJ (4 bolt flange).

The 24 splines, I think, went with ABS but the three bolt flange and rubber coupling (which you do have, yes?) did not come along until some time later.

It sounds as though someone has created a hybrid using a rear prop and 'diff.' from a 1995-up model but with diff. side gears (matching your 10 spline half shafts) from something of your original vintage.

If that's the case it puts you in a bit of a spot unless the diff flanges are easily swappable avoiding the need to get involved with changing the rear prop. or halfshafts. Anyone know the answer to that?

Good luck - sounds as though you're going to need it!

No worries Mate!

No rubber couplings that I know of. Where would they be? The UJ is a 4 bolt job.

I think (italics) that the future is not too bleak. Looking at the parts book it seems that the fixings for the diff to axle are bolts rather than studs. If I'm right all I need do is obtain 2 replacement bolts of the correct length. Any thoughts?

Rgds Richard

Useful trick -- jack up that side (even if you don't need to remove a wheel) or park on a cross-slope, and the hub will be above the oil level.

I think the year is now MMV