ShawnG's avatar
2d

1914 Pathfinder axle housing removal.

Ugh, my shop smells like 600w oil, thanks to the diff and transmission being open.

Pulled the diff housing out today, looks like there isn't much metal to work with. Not enough for a Time-Sert repair and certainly not enough for a Heli-Coil. Either one will end up breaking through the inner edge of the housing.

I think the best repair in this case will simply be to install bolts from the inside and put the nut on the outside of the housing. It's not correct but it's minimally invasive and very strong. It won't look out of place because the heads of the bolts with the grade markings will be inside the diff. There's plenty of room for the added hardware inside.

This is for repair, not restoration. If someone restores the car one day, then it can be put back to "correct" very easily.

Brakes will need the lining replaced as well.
#1914pathfinder #sgmechanicalservice #prewarcar #ifixstuffyoucant

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Jul 16, 2026
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alsancle avatar
· 1d

Wow.  I hate to sound stupid but whats a  Time-Sert?   Your bolt solution sounds right but what will keep the bolt from spinning?

ShawnG avatar
· 1d

A Time-Sert is like a Heli-Coil but the wall is thinner. The installation tool swages the insert and locks it in place as it is screwed in.
I can access the bolt heads from the inside if I need to hold them.

alsancle avatar
· 1d

thanks!   And on the bolts, duh!  I just looked at the photo again.