ninevoltz

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to post this message to help anyone who is planning to install a Quaife ATB differential in their Z. I recently purchased a salvage differential off eBay and started rebuilding it to put in my Z later this year. I searched high and low trying to find out what the differences were in the three different models of the Quaife ATB for the 350Z. I still ended up buying the wrong one after all of that. So here I will explain the differences.

QDF10L: This is for the automatic transmission Z, which always comes equipped with a viscous differential (NOT TRUE, mine actually had an open diff!) and 3.357 gears (47 tooth ring, 14 tooth pinion, R200V) On this differential, the ring gear is shifted 10.2mm to the left in comparison with the QDF11/13L to accommodate the larger 14 tooth pinion gear. You will NOT need to cut the right stub axle shaft for it to fit into the Quaife. This is the second set of splines that normally engages the viscous coupler.

QDF11L: This is for the manual transmission base model Z with the open diff and 3.538 gears (46 tooth ring, 13 tooth pinion, R200). The left and right stub axles should be identical.

QDF13L: This one is for the manual transmission Z with a viscous diff, R200V. The difference between this one and the QDF11L is the placement of the right hand stub axle's cir-clip lock ring and the shaft splines, they are slightly shorter than the left hand stub axle. You will also have to cut 1.7 inches off of the right stub axle shaft.

So this was a $1,200 mistake I made, I hope nobody else makes the same mistake. Hopefully I will be able to arrange to exchange it. There is a lot of confusing information on these parts floating around the internet. (Hopefully someone can sticky this message.)

EDIT: Sold on eBay

YOG35C

I have a 5AT Automatic base that I installed an OEM 3.5 VLSD from a 6spdl. Does that mean I need the QDF13L to add this to my current setup?

ninevoltz

Yes.

RobPhoboS

No offense intended to you ninevoltz but it does actually say what the uses are for on their website

https://shop.quaife.co.uk/catalogsea...3&model=431&q=

Oh well, hopefully you got the right one sent out.
Keen to know what you think once it's back together

ninevoltz

If you don't know what the differences are between the different models of R200 diff, it can be very confusing (for a noob) looking at the different ATB models. I also forgot about the fact that all of the automatic Z's have the R200V differential.

I've got everything sorted out now and the whole thing put together, but not without other drama. I've never rebuilt a differential before, so there was a bit of a learning curve. First mistake was buying the wrong ATB. Second mistake was over tightening the pinion crush sleeve, so I had to replace it. Then after replacing and properly tightening the crush sleeve, I tore one of the side oil seals while trying to reinstall the ATB. (If, for whatever reason, you remove the differential and ring gear assembly, pop out the side oil seals before you try to reinstall it!)

I should have my new oil seals today, and I'm hoping to install the rebuilt diff into my car this weekend, if weather suits. I'll try to post some pictures when it's done, barring any other drama with it. I just hope all that rust under there doesn't give me problems!

RobPhoboS

Argh man, proper ball ache - BUT as you say, a learning curve and always great to do these things yourself.

Did you have a good torque wrench (or perhaps bad if breaking things) ?

ninevoltz

I've got some good (but cheap) torque wrenches. I've got a proper dial type inch pound wrench for measuring the pinion preload, and a decent clicker type 1/2" drive foot pound wrench for everything else. I bought a dial gauge for measuring backlash and runout as well. Will probably never use it again I'm planning on transferring this rebuilt diff to my future 370Z, when that time comes. I believe it will actually fit.

ninevoltz

Finally got the differential installed. Not many pictures to upload, but I will try to get around to it over the next few days. I didn't do a comprehensive picture gallery, because I was working alone and covered in dirt and grease, not exactly fun to work a camera. I took my first ride with the Quaife and Whiteline bushings. The rear end clunk is gone now, since removing the rear oil filled bushing. My viscous diff was completely gone, so when I accelerated hard, I would slip. This Quaife diff just grabs and goes! It actually kind of made my neck hurt (probably from working under the car all day, really) during hard acceleration. I will report back after a few more days of experience with it.

HRMoneyPit

Try doing donuts?

RobPhoboS

Glad to hear you've gotten it on and sorted.
Keen to know how it punches out of corners, not sliding around.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

you know.... after i installed mine i found an abandoned bldg with a huge parking lot and slung it around some, was nice seeing two solid black marks

ninevoltz

some pictures

HRMoneyPit

I try in the rain (less tore ware lol) and that VLSD is as open as a open. Smh

ninevoltz

Have you ever seen the viscous coupler? It's basically a joke. After 117k miles, mine was roasted into oblivion too. These are pictures of the coupler I took out of my donor diff. If you lock the pinion flange, and grab the axle flanges and twist them in opposite directions, you can feel how much resistance the coupler introduces. I'm sure with more rotational speed, the more it locks up, but if you can rotate it by hand, how much torque is making it to the wheel anyway? Not much, I'd bet.

HRMoneyPit

So that's the Vlsd? No wonder it sucks. Back when I had 240s I hated VLSD but I thought it would be better now cause I'm in a newer car. Nope. Same ****

ninevoltz

So I disassembled my old differential yesterday. You know how everyone says the automatic Z's all have viscous LSDs in them? WRONG. My car had an open differential in it. I also noticed that I put my side oil seals in backwards on my rebuild. I hope that won't cause problems for me. FYI, the flared side faces the stub axles. Yet another stupid mistake.