Disaster strikes TCJB

[TCJBOLDIE]

Was enjoying the Oakey sprints despite waking up to ice on the cars both mornings and was 2nd in class on Saturday but when powering out of the last corner on Sundays first run something went bang followed by some horrible clunking sounds from the transmission when crawling off the track I fear that I may have broken a tooth or 3 from the crown wheel or pinion or both.

I always carry a pair of recoed CV jointed 1/2 shafts to every event.

Was able to drive it onto the trailer to get home.

Funnily though as my last mechanical breakdown was at the same event some 9 years ago so I guess that I have had a good run and shouldn't complain and get on with finding the exact cause and fixing it .

The problem is that the "big diff" 3.9 diff ratio is hard to find and I may have to reinstall the smaller original open 3.5 ratio as the lsd clutch pack won't fit.

Will be off to the local diff repair specialists to get advise before deciding which way to jump.

 

[obi_waynne]

That's a stroke of bad luck, I hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[T9 man]

That's a stroke of bad luck, I hope you get it sorted soon.

I echo that statement too Rad

 

[TCJBOLDIE]

Thanks guys
I have attempted to contact or spoken to almost everyone who raced Starions over here and have found the guy who used to be closely associated with RALLIART many years ago and had apparently got a hold of many bits and pieces when they shut up shop and thinks that he may be able to help.

In the meantime I have been advised by a local mechanic that a MK TRITON ute diff "should fit" BUT was unsure if the pinion shaft was the correct length and size to suit the torque tube length so picked up a non LSD centre from a wrecker or "recycler" (with the assurance that I will be refunded if it won't fit) as they like to be called now and delivered it to DANTRANS with the instruction to remove the tailshaft flange and test fit it to the broken pinion shaft to ensure that the splines are compatible before stripping everything.

He has advised that they fit and has measured everything and thinks that it "should fit"

Will know later this week so fingers crossed the $100.00 part will fit.

 

[obi_waynne]

That would be a real bonus if it does fit.

 

[TCJBOLDIE]

Dan is very busy in his small 2 man shop and I should have the car back with the recoed diff at the end of nxt week.

I prefer to deal with a small shop as am dealing with the person actually doing the work.

 

[TCJBOLDIE]

Mini disaster report
Was driving the car for my usual weekly 10 klm lap around the block and at the 1/2 way point the throttle cable broke at the pedal end
It would have been worse if it had done so at my next event so managed to get home at a much reduced speed with a icy pole stick under the throttle stop

PS I carry the PP stick as it fits under the TS so it makes cold starts at less than 3 degrees so much easier.
I have removed the ISC that was faulty and the new ISC was no better with high idle speeds when hot even with the TS backed off as far as possible.
.Only need the stick once a day for the start up when it is very cold.

 

[Lunchmoney]

Wait a moment..... Less than 3degrees? In Oz? I call shenanigans!

 

[TCJBOLDIE]

Lunchy I have woken up in my camp in the pits at a few events over the years where it was - 4 deg brrr and then there was the wind chill factor that made it feel even colder

PS I know you will probably say that that's just a normal balmy summers day in your neck of the woods so slap on the sunscreen

 

[TCJBOLDIE]

Update
The car has had the recoed big lsd equipped 4.22 ratio diff refitted and have checked the speedo for accuracy against the sat nav and it is near as possible to perfect when 100kph showing on the speedo the sat nav says 97-98 kph.

With the 3.9 ratio 100 on the speedo was really 106 kph so the app 8% lower ratio has bought everything back to close to spot on

PS the car has a RX7 gearbox and the 17 inch tyres have the same rolling diameter as the factory 15 inch tyres so that may explain the different readings.