Advice needed from a proper mechanic

[normspanners]

right before you strip the calipers try driving it and use left foot braking and see if that changes/ causes any different reaction I cannot see brakes causing it.
if that is the diff in the photo, though it looks a little strange to me, you can, I think, just see one of the cross shafts in the centre. of the diff

the far right ( cup )

POT!

 

[Old Dog]

Re the stat removal, the problem with that is if the stat has a plate on the bottom, that plate closes the coolant bypass pipe. Removing it will stop flow through the radiator, if the stat doesn't open fully this will also allow the water to bypass the radiator. A faulty stat of that design stuck closed or half open will over heat the engine.

 

[normspanners]

Re the stat removal, the problem with that is if the stat has a plate on the bottom, that plate closes the coolant bypass pipe. Removing it will stop flow through the radiator, if the stat doesn't open fully this will also allow the water to bypass the radiator. A faulty stat of that design stuck closed or half open will over heat the engine.

X2



this is not a break down of your diff but I used it because it has the labeling on it, the cross shafts are shown and wear in them can give weird feelings though the car under power

 

[normspanners]

your stat ? the plate at the bottom is the one that forms a valve, water circulates incorrectly with out it

 

[normspanners]

With regards your photo how close are we talking, is the grey part the gearbox /diff housing or is the photo a real close up of the hole where the shaft goes in?

 

[normspanners]

Ps do you know if you have a LSD? here I go again
limited slip differential

 

[Fergus]

G
The rotating mass theory, I hadn't considered an overheating brake, a definite possibility as I haven't done anything to the calipers.


Next job, strip and rebuild calipers! ho hum

You don't need to strip and rebuild straight out, just make sure all the pistons retract smoothly and if it's a sliding caliper that it's properly free on it's pins/slides, that was the problem on mine. There was no felt difference under braking or with partial pressure on the pedal.

I've been breaking and fixing cars since I passed my test and have had my fair share of sticky brakes in that time. Apart from on the Skoda I've never had this problem manifest itself this way.

 

[the repair man]

Old Dog, I stand corrected, again! I didn't realise it was a 2 way mechanism. However the car has never overheated, just the heating is crap and I noticed when working on it, the filler cap can be removed with engine hot and water there was tepid, but the main rad hose the other side was boiling and slightly expanded, So I decided something was wrong and must be done. I had driven 300 mile journeys like this and it never overheated.
Right Norm ( I knew Lsd lol ) and POT, I've got it!
The pic is from where the hub is looking directly at / into the diff. Had I put the pot in, that is what you would see, where you you now see a castellated hole. That castellated part is behind the diff oil seal ( now removed )
I will get a better pic and description today.
Re the calipers, I can't drive it at the mo as it would go like a duck with 1 leg, in circles! As it is off the road I will put new seals on calipers, clean and give them a paint anyway.
At least If I ever sort this car out, it should be like new!

 

[the repair man]

ok..

Here with complete shaft removed.
Then with pot! in place.

It is when I wiggle the pot, there is VERY slight play, not just laterally, but it is probably 1 mm max, just didn't know if this was acceptable, I suppose 1mm here may be more further down the line.
Hope this helps to clarify things.
Oh, someone asked if it's a limited slip diff, I don't know, the are a high performance car so probably. It is the same engine and box as the Celica & lotus elise or elite.

 

[Justme]

Get some axle stands before you kill yourself.

 

[the repair man]

Get some axle stands before you kill yourself.

I know, I know, its on 3 scissor jacks, and the wheel under the sill.
I'm not really under it, just nesting in the wheel arch.
I do know better, but getting fed up of spending on this car!

 

[normspanners]

Right they are better photos, yes that is the cross shaft in the middle try and grip it and see if it has any play in it in any direction.
That amount of play in the pot is not excessive as it reduces as it gets closer to the box so 1.5 at the extremity of the pot is only .5 ish at the bush, because there is play in the splines.

 

[normspanners]

As far as your circulation problem, was it that the heater was not working? because that is probably just the fact the heater matrix needs reverse flushing to clear debris accumulated on one side of the tubes.

 

[Fergus]

Did this ever get fixed?

 

[Marc.]

Did this ever get fixed?

I was just thinking exactly the same. I take it you did check all the shock absorbers on the car for any knackered ones?

 

[Chickenjohn]

and.......?????