JIM THEO

Last months I suffer from a rear differential problem (creaking noise when turn to left) and have to visit the authorized Subaru service in order to confirm any damage and suggest me what to do.
Question is…has anyone of you changed his rear differential with a Quaife ATB type and what are your comments about it?
Is the same noisy – smooth - progressive as the factory item and what should I expect a more oversteered or more understeered car?
Do I need to change any other part in order to fit the new diff and do you know what type is my current rear diff and housing as my car is Impreza Turbo MY00/AWD/LHD/Euro spec?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
JIM

dowser

Can't really help, but I've got the Quaife front fitted and it's quiet...and I'm very interested in how you find the rear if you fit it!

Richard

Adam M

in a couple of weeks, there will be some personal knowledge of a quaife rear.

I really dont understand these noise concerns. They are no noisier than a normal open diff.

dowser

Really Adam? A couple of weeks?!

Richard

Dave T-S

LOL - doesn't mean Adam's museum piece will actually be on the road in a couple of weeks though

Dave T-S

BTW Jim, and back to seriousness....

I would imagine many rally teams are running Quaife ATB's and you might be better off pointing the question at them....

Adam M

not mine! a couple of weeks are you joking? I wish. I am not the only person I know who mods imprezas you know!

JIM THEO

Thanks all, Dowser I let you know when I fit it.
The mechanic prevents me to fit a Quaife differential - I don't understand why - and suggests me an STI one.
There are no financial reasons for his suggestion, in both cases I'll buy the diff from UK, but he told me that probably the Quife wouldn't cope so well!!!
I can't imagine that there isn't even one person that has tried a Quaife ATB!
JIM


[Edited by JIM THEO - 7/26/2002 11:21:07 PM]

JIM THEO

By the way Quaife UK informed me only about the price and the part number, they didn’t answer all the other questions…

Andy.F

For what it's worth I've had a Quaife ATB in a 2wd Cosworth and it was silent. It was also very consistant in operation unlike the previous viscous unit which would allow the inner wheel to spin out of tight corners.
I now run a Quaife in the rear axle of my bike engined kit car, again, silent in operation and less understeer that a plate type.

Andy

JIM THEO

That's nice Andy!
If it is silent, smooth, and Torque biased while the original needs a small amount wheel spin in order to act, it seems to me better choice, and bear in mind it is cheaper than the factory item with a Limited Lifetime Warranty!
Could someone then confirm that there is no need for any extra part for perfect fitting, as the Quaife didn't answer me this question?
Cheers
JIM

Andy.F

Not sure about the subaru install but I fitted new carrier bearings on the Cosworth as the originals were shrunk on to the old diff and difficult to remove without damaging them.
Beware that Quaife have been known to advertise items they do not actually stock !! They require a minimum order volume to start a production run.

May be worth another phone call ?

Andy

Ragos Elias

Jim,

I do have a problem also with a noice like whoooooooo when lift off the throttle and I cann't understand where it comes from.Surely is a rolling noice coming from the gear box or the rear dif cause when go to neutral it does stop. Guys down here told me that is from the harder bushes (Powerflex) I have fitted on. But to proove it WAS NOT i changed back to normal the big bushes that are on the rear bridge of the dif and the sound did not stop.

If the sound was from wheel bearings it should do it always and not when lift off the throttle. O.k.?

I went to Peiraios Service and we lift it up. Kostas had a check with the acoustic organ but nothing was heard. I suppose that it has to have all the real stress on the road to be heard.

Any suggestions on that?

Dont forget I will be at Thessaloniki on friday evening and call you for a coffee and talk for the suspension too.

Elias

JIM THEO

Elias
As I mention above the local Subaru service prevents me to buy a Quaife ATB diff...
But, bear in mind they told me recently that is unlikely to have a rear diff problem as the Hitachi-Subaru units are very hard and they haven't seen even one damaged before, except one case where the guy uses often the hand-brake for cornering!
After a search in Yahoo with the words "LSD DIFFERENTIAL" I found quite a lot of info about the Torsen/ATB diff and I am sure a Quaife will be my choice.
Quaife UK also confirmed that is direct replacement part.
About your problem I am sure isn't diff problem, otherwise you'll feel it all the time when a wheel spin and the diff locks the other. Besides you'll hear mine and have your own conclusions!
Cheers
JIM

Blackscooby

I know its a different application ~ but I use a Quaife ATB in my 205 GTi hillclimb motor (155bhp@ Wheels). Fantastic piece of kit, highly recommended. Silent in operation, and none of the "dartiness" associated with plated types.

Still chews through the fronts as it will spin both, but at least its not as bad as it was !

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

At least with the torsen, there are no plates to wear out, and very little in the way of parts to break. The logic of how it works should make for excellent traction. A friend has one in his cossie, and it is miles better than the crap VC it replaced. The diff is totally silent in use, as all diffs should be. If you are getting noise, then whoever built it is to blame. They have set the lash for the crownwheel and pinion wrong. Obviously this will be made worse, with harder bushes in the mountings.

dowser

The Quaife is 100% gears....no clutches like the viscous. This gives instant torque biasing, and less things to wear out.

When I ordered my front, Quaife reckoned the rear was also in stock...

Richard