I did mine like 4 yrs ago i will see if i have some pic's,the only hard part was removing some studs,other than that a very easy job.
Looks like Ferrari mig welded the diff carrier or worse acetlyne oxy welded it, they then grinded down the welds making them weaker. If they would have Tig welded it no need to grind would be a super strong small tight weld. That work in a heavy car, TR with big power and wide sticky tires they are all doomed sooner or later to blow.
Hello all, great thread. I own a 92 512TR and I am interested in understanding if this diff problem made it into the 512TR model. In this thread it states that the problem was addressed in the 512TR and M, can this be verified? I have 11.5K miles on my 512TR and the diff is stock as far as I know and I am the second owner. Any input is appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is a well worn annual zombie topic (won't die) over the years with opposing views, numerous threads of points (search and read them) and counter points, and mostly bad luck for a select few and loose data driving fear for others. In regards to your question - the diff housing didn't get addressed until the later production 512TR's (1994) from my understanding of part numbers. FWIW I have a well maintained '92 512TR (now with 30k mi) and have had no issues other than normal expected wear items: services, clutch, a/c recharge, etc. So don't let the bugaboo's scare you into sinking money into something they believe is an inherent point of failure and a taking a costly preventative measure you possibly don't need.
Ive had a few apart now that were cracked completely around and you couldnt tell until you took it apart. They were getting diffs during a service as a preventative measure. Image Unavailable, Please Login
sherrillt, as newman write you see it when it is appart. hopefully you see it then before more will get damaged it is not a question if the diff will brake, only when I have here 2 broken diffs
I posted pictures when I did mine. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/boxers-tr-m/444411-my-tr-diary-86865-a-4.html
Clay, Be sure to talk to Will Def, he has direct knowledge on this subject. His 512TR had a failure, he had a new 512M transaxle ordered and installed by FoS and it failed as well. Not sure what sort of repair he had done, but had the transaxle removed and repaired, and as we all know, he is back on the road.
Barf, After reading this I am cringing as I'm currently going through the same symptoms almost to a T. Eeek. May the force be with you my friend
But .... at what a cost and pain ! better update/upgrade your gearboxes before this happens ... and: IT WILL happen to you all ! DO read my thread about it completely ... and I hope you will be convinced ... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/boxers-tr-m/343161-512tr-gearbox-problem.html
Just went in to see her. Same cracked piece as shown in the original post. My mechanic has Newman on the case for a replacement part so that the entire diff doesn't have to be replaced. Looks like it will work out without doing the whole thing. Melvok is correct. This all happened after my car experienced the gearbox issue. There was a small leak that was coming out of the diff. I had no idea where it was coming from all last year. It was very small and when I took it in for the oil change it wasn't bad, (had them look at it but nothing seemed too out of the ordianary) then the South carolina heat picked up! A broken piece must have flowed through to the diff and got caught right there. Eeek. Car has 41k on it and has been driven responsibly since at least the past 3 owners. No clutch dumping, etc.
Im confused. You do need a new diff, correct? My understanding is that your cracked diff put pressure on that casting to cause the failure?? Is that not correct?
I don't think that is the case. Like I said the car is functional. They looked at the Diff and said it looks okay. Again, I'm pretty sure the loose bits broken off from the gearbox issue caused this.
If I was that far in (the side plates removed), I can't see not replacing the diff. I also do not remember if you explained where these bits came from. What I previously understood (and I could be wrong) is that the weld on the center of the diff starts to fail and will push out on to that casting of yours that failed. Could it be that under load your diff is pushing out? (meaning there is a crack but not a failure yet?)
Sometimes just the side support breaks. Its a poor design as well. I make billet aluminum side covers for these that wont break plus my billet steel carrier but then the main shaft is a weak spot too where they twist or snap off - fun times. The propellor shaft pass-through hole compromises the meat around the bearing cup to the point the two machined surfaces blend together creating a thin spot and even a small hole.
Sorry Brad, you can NOT be sure at all unless you take out the diff. Look at photo of Paul Newman ... ... And being at that stage, I would not hesitate to replace that dreaded diff ... Did you read the entire thread about this ? http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/boxers-tr-m/343161-512tr-gearbox-problem.html Be wise ... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just got the update, it is indeed the diff. Barf! Anyway, I talked to Shamile and he said that Newman possibly had an upgraded one that is even superior to the 512tr one? I'd rather get the upgraded one in there if possible. So in sum, it looks like the diff broke, causing the gearbox issue. Gearbox issue fixed but now the broken diff. remains.
Getting it sent over shortly. Newman is the man! And I love those garage photos he posts of all of those flat twelves
