Difference between a standard and a salisbury axle.

dr pepper · Jun 29, 2009

I'm still learning a bit here, after looking into an engine conversion I'm hearing a lot about salisbury axles, whats the diffo between one of them and a 'standard', I heard that the spring mounts are on the other side of the chassis rails and diff ratio's only come in 2 flavours, and generally they are beefier.
What other diffo's are there, do they have 10 spline diff's compatible with early disco's?, probably not.

109party · Jun 29, 2009

the bolts are round the pan, on the back is a quick check

dr pepper · Jun 29, 2009

your talking to a fat fitter mate, you have to hit me over the head with a mallet to get me to twig.
are you saying theres a circle of bolts holding the cover plate on the back of the diff, that is not present on a standard axle?.

109party · Jun 30, 2009

yes from memory

dr pepper · Jun 30, 2009

doobie · Jun 30, 2009

dr pepper said:
I'm still learning a bit here, after looking into an engine conversion I'm hearing a lot about salisbury axles, whats the diffo between one of them and a 'standard', I heard that the spring mounts are on the other side of the chassis rails and diff ratio's only come in 2 flavours, and generally they are beefier.
What other diffo's are there, do they have 10 spline diff's compatible with early disco's?, probably not.

dr pepper · Jun 30, 2009

Cheers doobs, roughly translated into words then:

rover - just about enough.

Salisbury - dock off have it.

Salisbury's then are egg shaped from the back, rovers more round.

fenby1976 · Jul 1, 2009

The main problem with Salisbury diffs is that they reduce ground clearance.

G-man · Jul 1, 2009

salisburys can get you stuck when standard 88 can get through

109party · Jul 2, 2009

but there tougher

andyb66 · Jul 2, 2009

dr pepper said:
I heard that the spring mounts are on the other side of the chassis rails and diff ratio's only come in 2 flavours, and generally they are beefier.
What other diffo's are there, do they have 10 spline diff's compatible with early disco's?, probably not.

Re: spring mounts. This is becuase on a Series they are only fitted as standard to a LWB and the rear spring mounts are on the outside of the chassis rails on a LWB. Therefore the mounts on the Salisbury axle are in a different place too.

Re: Diff ratios. They are avaliable in a number of different ratios. They are otherwise known as Dana axles (espcially in the US). IIRC the Series Salisbury axle is actually a Dana 60.

The diff and axle is not compatiable with any of the Rover axles.

They do have a little less ground clearance than a Rover axle but they can be 'shaved' (ooeer

) to increase the ground clearance.

One other word of warning, if you are replaceing a Rover axle on a SWB Series with on of these then apart from spring mounts you will also have to shorten the rear prop as the diff pinion is longer on a Salisbury.

fenby1976 · Jul 2, 2009

G-man said:
salisburys can get you stuck when standard 88 can get through

On the other hand a salisbury axle can give more confidence in those off road situations where there is nothing to do but put the pedal to the metal. I've seen an article on the web about increasing the ground clearance of a Salisbury diff by means of a bit of cutting and welding to the diff housing.

dr pepper · Jul 2, 2009

I think I'd prefer the beefier setup of the salisbury, especially if I end up with a turbo D in this thing, thanks for that andyb dana sure I've heard of them before are they known in motorsport.
Dunno about 'shaving' the salisbury int that gonna reduce the amount of oil and the heat removal capacity of the diff.
So for now then I'm sticking to the salisbury which also means I'm gonna stick to the original series front axle, you'll be happy teffy, but I have no reserves about trying to get a disco fit, just no need at the mo.

andyb66 · Jul 3, 2009

dr pepper said:
Dunno about 'shaving' the salisbury int that gonna reduce the amount of oil and the heat removal capacity of the diff.

Not to any significant degree.

jai_landrover · Jul 3, 2009

i have fitted a salisbury to my 90 the propshaft has to be approx 1 inch shorter make sure this is the case i saw a mates disco fitted with a salisbury with a standard prop it hammers the transfer box output flange aswell as the diff pinion. He didnt seem to care much but waot till his new transfer box blows up.Only really worthwhile fitting a salisbury if you do intend on some rough stuff or work it hard. Pain to work on unless you have a spreader. Must be setup correctly as any diff but everything is preloaded so requires more thought if you ever need to change a diff. Whereas rover diffs can be swapped out as they are a contained unit already setup ready to bolt in.

dr pepper · Jul 3, 2009

Dont need to fit one, my 109 allready has one on.
Know what you mean about preloaded assemblys, been there several times on stuff here and with the sierra rear diff, they have special collapsing collars to pre load the hypoid pinion.

CharlieCroker · May 2, 2019

Crawling around under my new acquisition I realised I have A SALISBURY!!!.........GET IN!

Birdbrain · May 2, 2019

I'd be worried, looking at that, in case the dif pan has perforated with all the rust. get a wire brush on it and check - there seems to be a big black splodge in photo which could be oil leaking out through a pin hole. Happened to me.

CharlieCroker · May 2, 2019

Birdbrain said:
I'd be worried, looking at that, in case the dif pan has perforated with all the rust. get a wire brush on it and check - there seems to be a big black splodge in photo which could be oil leaking out through a pin hole. Happened to me.

Thanks mate, its all going to be dismantled down to chassis level and I have a spare Rover axle to go in whilst I refurb this one. I did notice that and a mate of mine had to weld some patches on his and told me the diff covers are as thin as bacofoil! Thanks for pointing this out though.

the whole chassis will be grit blasted or get the needle gun treatment! I'm expectng a fair bit of welding and possibly a rear 1/2 chassis and front dumb irons! But I cant afford £2000 for a galv chassis

gehngus · May 2, 2019

You don't have the nut to full em oil..

I went through a load of diffs looking for a set that would fit. Ended up with 72 range rover diffs. S straight swap. Oil nut is on it. The only difference was the ratio was slightly higher so no need for an overdrive.
Not easy to come by but I dare say there a few on here

Difference between a standard and a salisbury axle.

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