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How To Repack a H233B Limited-Slip Differential (LSD)


hawairish
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@SpecialWarr Hijack accepted.

 

So, as long as the WD21 differential is also an LSD unit, then you should be able to swap the side gears over.  You'll likely want to bring over the spider gears as well, but can omit the thrust block (if one).  This would basically make your WD21 diff support 33-splines.  If we're not talking LSD diffs, then no, the side gears can't be swapped, but the entire diff might be able to if the WD21 gears use 12mm bolts...I think it was tied to the use of 11 attachment studs on the housing vs. 9 studs.  I'm not sure what the cut-off was between 11- and 9-stud, might've been 1989 or maybe didn't exist on WD21 and was only a D21.  I'm honestly not sure.

 

FWIW, I've had no problems finding replacement H233B parts from RockAuto.  In fact, pretty much the only thing I get OEM are the gaskets (38320-T3322).  Not that there are many parts to replace in these diffs, but I've used National 32306C (pinion bearing & race), 32308C (pinion bearing & race), and 710195 (pinion seal) before.  Can't seem to find any differential carrier bearings I've purchased, but OE p/n is 38440-60000 which cross-refs to National KC11445Y.  Needless to say, these parts seem readily available so not sure what that mechanic is smoking.

 

As for "what else"...probably not much more.  There are oil seals at the ends of the axle tube that can be changed.  Only way to replace the grease seals are to tear down the axle shafts.  Beyond that, new gasket and fluid.

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Thanks for the heads up and info. The WD21 is definitely an LSD ( tested on jack stands while adding a lift kit from Steve Fleury) so there shouldn't be a problem there, 11 stud vs. 9 stud is an interesting new development though....

 

My regular mechanic is not a Nissan guy per se so there are a few things that he has trouble with ( he/ they mostly work on Ford/ Chev/ Dodge/ Honda) the alignment for instance but he is across the street from where I work so the convenience factor is powerful!

 

As for me, I've never pulled off a diff, so I am completely in the dark about who's which goes where other than there are bolts and brake lines that need to come off to be able to pull the diffs out!!       Again, thanks for the info and I'll drop a line again as soon as I can get the diff out of the WD21 and into the hands of the transmission specialist and I'll let you all know how everything went.

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  • 6 months later...

Minor resurrection here …..

 

To confirm, the ring and pinion setup is NOT disturbed when repacking the diff?  So no need to reset backlash, etc?

 

Thanks!  Awesome write up! 

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14 hours ago, fj1289 said:

Minor resurrection here …..

 

To confirm, the ring and pinion setup is NOT disturbed when repacking the diff?  So no need to reset backlash, etc?

 

Thanks!  Awesome write up! 


The pinion is not disturbed, but because the carrier gets pulled with ring attached, the backlash needs to be set again. Ideally you’ll check backlash first in a few spots before undoing anything so you can try to hit those numbers again (or otherwise hit within the spec range). 

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