Quaife Limited-slip Differential: how much noise is normal?

[Road Ready]

I've got a Quaife limited-slip diff on my '07 Caterham and worry about the amount of noise that's coming from it.

 

Do any of you guys have that diff and could tell me what living with yours is like?

 

JR

[Davemk1]

I have one installed in the Ford Sierra diff in my Westfield. I can hear it (not surprising given that it's 6" from my elbow) but it's nothing that really sticks out in my mind.

 

What kind of noise does yours make and when does it do it?

 

 

dave

[Road Ready]

It whines under load at speed greater than about 30 mph.

 

I have a video that has a good example of the sound.

[pksurveyor]

They are noisy. You will get use to it.

[Nick OTeen]

It whines under load at speed greater than about 30 mph.

All the time or just while cornering?

[Road Ready]

My car is in the shop of a guy who's supposed to be nth local diff genius.

 

He may be asking me for the phone number of a parts source for pinion bearing and related parts.

 

Nobody picked up at Rockey Mountain Caterham.

 

Who next best?

 

John

[scannon]

I had one installed in my 2005 SV. It made a lot of noise on acceleration and deceleration. There also seemed to be too much back lash on the ring and pinion. Twice I had Nathan Down (formally of Caterham and Rocky Mountain Sports Cars) inspect and drive it and both times he said it was normal.

 

I had the Quaife installed while I was building the car so I didn't have a chance to compare its noise level to the non LSD that came with the car.

[kayentaskier]

John,

In my experience, Josh responds faster to email than phone, try him at josh.robbins@rockymountaincaterham.com

Jim

[Davemk1]

I'll echo Scannon's input....the Quaiffe makes it sound like there's too much backlash in the gearing. I had one in an Elise and it sounded the same way.

 

dave

[Vovchandr]

I checked and it appears I have a ZF rear end. Whatever is is. I don't believe I have a Quaife.

[yellowss7]

Vlad, you probably have a Sierra Diff with the ZF plate type LSD. Tom

[Road Ready]

Rocky Mountain Caterham was very helpful. Josh has a hearing impairment that makes e-mail a better option for him. They have a lot of diff parts in stock. I talked to Ross, Josh's father.

 

There's also Burton Power in the UK.

 

Amazingly, Burt, my diff guy, was able to order all that was needed from his usual supplier. He uses an old transmission casing for his mailbox!

Edited June 30, 2020 by Road Ready

[Road Ready]

Burt was unable to get the right parts for the pinion gear in my diff. He had to send some stuff back to Burton in England. It's the Ford Sierra diff, built by Quaife. Burt had a very low opinion of the way it was set up.

 

I might end up buying a new diff., having Burt take it apart to be sure it's properly assembled and then install in my car.

[ashyers]

I'd be interested in his comments on the setup if he's willing to share 'em.

 

Andy

[Road Ready]

I don't think he had ever seen a 7" Ford diff. He did admire the car, even though he was about 200 lbs too heavy to get in it.