[alfa] re spider T-bar, differential

["dan" <dan@xxxxxxxx>]

Ed,
I just did my rear suspension.  I had no backlash--turning the input shaft
side to side, i couldn't feel any slack.  89 spider, 87k miles.  I had one
triangle spacer behind each trunnion bushing cup.  I imagine you could use
more or thicker.  I think you need to replace your bushings though; they are
pressed in and shouldn't rotate (or in your case, slide) metal on metal--the
rubber should flex.  Or is the rubber completely torn on yours?

Getting the T-bar to body bushings out of the caps is UGLY because they are
pressed into a pocket in the housing.  I ended up using a Dremel with 3
cutting disks mounted at a time, making a ~1/8" grinding surface, and
working it back and forth to cut out a concave trough deep enough to chisel
/ bend out the wall of the bushing.  I used about 20 disks total.  These
bushings are definitely worth taking to a press shop; there are two cutouts
they can grab and pull the bushing out by.  You can't use a hacksaw, etc
since you can only get to the bushing wall from one side.
dan in kc

Ed's questions are:
1    Is this backlash in the differential normal? My 73 GTV is similar, but
it is noisy  - lots of whine when running under load.

2    How do I get rid of the end float in the T-bar? Are the triangular
spacers behind the chassis bushings for shimming end float? Do I need to
replace the bushings? If so, how do I get them out of the housings?
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