I am having trouble spliting the diff from the Gearbox, I have removed every nut that I can see, but do I have to remove the large nut in the centre of the universal joints to achieve this, just need to know before I tackle the job.

I did this just before, undo all the nuts from the side covers and the rear of the diff housing. Then pull the side covers off and then slide the diff housing back.
The housing may need some persuasion but be careful and don't damage anything. Also get ready to catch the diff as you slide the housing back...

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The 850 Man

still just a little confused, slide the side covers off, are these the covers with 5 nuts holding them on the side if the diff, I undone all those but when I pull on both the universal joints they appear to be held rather tight and dont move, thats why I wanted to know about the large nut inside the uni.

Ok you have the rubber Uni type, instead of undoing those nuts and removing the yokes (the part of the Uni joint sticking out of the dside of the diff) what you do is remove the nuts on the rear of the diff housing (as in towards the passenger compartment).
There should be 6 nuts or so there, undo them all and slide the whole housing back towards the rear. The side covers should split from the diff housing and the diff housing from the box.
You will then have two assemblies, one being the diff and one being the diff housing.

Note that you can't do this in the car, well I think the Mini man said he has done it once but it would be very challenging.
Also what are you attempting to do? Service the diff or replace seals or...?

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The 850 Man

I was given an engine and gearbox by a friend to totally pull down as he is going to rebuild it. I have never totally pulled a mini engine and gearbox to pieces and this is why I am having this problem, I have done most other things on a mini, but never pulled an engine down totally. It is very rare to have a spare engine to play with. So its just a learning exercise.

Well in that case I'll stop telling you what to do so that you work it out for yourself, thats the best way to learn...

But to answer your question I think your problem may be the two nuts on the underside of the diff housing, I think there are 4 big nuts and 3 smaller ones that you need to undo to remove the casing...

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The 850 Man

thNKS MATE FOR YOUR TIME, i WILL JUST SIT AND HAVE A FEW FROTHIESAND LOOK AT WHAT i HAVE IN FRONT OF ME, AND MAY BE i SHOULD READ MY SERVICE MANUAL AND THAT MAY GIVE ME A FEW IDEAD, i WAS JUST BEING LAZY AND COULDN'T BE BOTHERED READ .

Oh sorry bloody caps lock key again, and this new laptop aint the easiest thing to use, I have fat fingers......


I am not yelling, so I appologise again.......

if it`s an early box, then there is a cheeky little nut hiding underneath the diff snout

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Davo.....

1/ have you split the g/box from the engine?

2/ What type of g/box is it, remote or rod change?

3/ Are you striping both engine and gearbox down to inspect for a full rebuild?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

my money is on this one

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Scott.....

1. yes ( Out of his 1100 moke)
2. remote
3. Pulling it down for M. HOLLOWAY, he is going to re build it.

It was just a learning exercise, he said

" here take this home and pull it down as much as you can, try and remember what you do, and then bring it back to me in little boxes."

I couldn't refuse such a generous request,

Nu, got that cheeck little one hiding inside the diff snout,

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pulling rank is he

a mans gotta go what a mans gotta do.

Ho Hum.....

if you wanted to learn you couldv'e given me a call and done some of mine, i've got a few of both types that need striping.....and i would be there to help you get unstuck.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU