187inc Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Hey guys, just been putting the diff and rear springs (reset) back into my mk2 escort. Everything bolted up fine but when I put the wheels back on I quickly realised that the diff is sitting off-centre towards one side (by about 1-2cm). I rechecked everything and it all looks to be correctly in place, and I can't figure out where that amount of adjustment could be applied.. I can post some pics tomorrow when it's light to illustrate what I mean. It's probably something simple/dumb as I've never done this sort of work before. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Just loosen off the U bolts, get it centered with crowbars, ratcheting ties downs etc, then tighten them up again. It is a pretty common thing on a Hotchkiss suspension. However, it may pay to check the diff isn't straight compared to the front wheels first. You can do that with a measuring tape - hub to hub on each side of the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sholdowa Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 There is/should be a locating bolt in the centre of the springs, which locate in a hole in the saddle, with a shaped rubber pad between the two. If the rubber is missing, you really need to pad out the bolt with washers so it's a good fit. That should locate the axle ok. It's possible that the bolt's missing, is loose in the saddle, or something similar. If all the bits are there in the right order, it may be accident damage??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
187inc Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 Yep I know about the locating bolts, they are present. Also the rubber pads, also present and in reasonable nick (considering they are originals). The bolts with pads in place are sitting in the saddles. So that isn't the problem. The only thing I could assume it is is the new springs, as with the old pair the diff lined up fine.. however nothing appeared to be wrong with the springs before they went in, and the guy that I bought them off said they were fine in his and he seems to know his shit. So I am quite confused/frustrated. I've taken some photos but not too sure how to put them up here.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 www.imageshack.us Its probably not that bad. I've had a couple of mazdas with oddly offset diffs. Check the rear shackles too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
187inc Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 http://www.imageshack.usIts probably not that bad. I've had a couple of mazdas with oddly offset diffs. Check the rear shackles too Yeah I don't need it to be exact, but its sitting about 20mm closer to the passengers side, so much so that the wheel on that side is almost rubbing the arch. The rubbing isnt the problem as I will be running different tyres and maybe rolling them (unless I can avoid it). Oh and the shackles look fine. I'll sign up and load some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raizer Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Factory tolerances can leave a lot to be desired with Escorts, The diff was around 30mm to the drivers side in my old van when I first got it, all the parts cars I've had over the years had offset diffs too. Another thing I have noticed with a few old UK Fords is differences in height from side to side, my mk4 tina had an obvious lean to the left lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave123456789 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Do escorts use panhard rods? Could be your stock panhard is pushing the diff to one side and you need a adjustable one of mod your current. Im probably the only guy in the world with no experience in escorts tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
187inc Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 ^ I miss-understood your initial post to mean that the diff was not perpendicular to the chassis, but you can still try my suggestion in the second post if you are confident that the diff is not centered between the chassis rails. The rails are much more reliable than the outer sheet metal. There were also two different brake drum arrangements available in the 9 inch drums. One had a heap more offset, but I think it used the same axle (I can't remember now). I guess you have already checked that your wheels are the same size and offset........ You need to measure everything against the chassis rails. You might find it comes right if you swap the leaf springs from side to side..... but as said earlier, they were never that great when new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seedy Al Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Swapping the leaves from side to side would have been my next move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted May 23, 2012 Share Posted May 23, 2012 20mm guard difference means its only out by 10mm. Mine was the same. Never bothered to do anything about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
187inc Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share Posted May 24, 2012 Sorry about the confusion. Yeah the car sits an an even (or close enough) height on each side, its just the lining up side to side. And I have not measured the offset against the chassis rails but i can see the difference in where the bump-stops would hit. As I say I don't need it perfect but would like to get it closer. Think I will try swap the springs over and see if that makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorensin Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 20mm guard difference means its only out by 10mm. Mine was the same. Never bothered to do anything about it. Mine is also out, id say by about 20mm. Is going to make good fitment/wider wheels to look good a touch harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted May 24, 2012 Share Posted May 24, 2012 Speed + handbrake into curb on sticking out side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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