403 - "A" frame attachment to differential on back axle

[Julian Caples]

Mike

Yes it is possible to fit the "A" frame ball joint seal without removing the diff. With care, lots of patience and lots of rubber grease, it is possible to stretch the seal over the top. Go very slowly and use rubber grease or you will tear the seal.

No it is not possible to split the ball joint without removing the diff - if you fail to successfully stretch the seal over the top, and need to split the joint you have to remove the diff - the ball joint is held on by a large nut inside the diff casting.

Its not actually too bad - you do need to retract the half shafts (disengage them from the diff) but you don't have to remove them. Getting the diff out is best done from above (ie from inside the car).

Like everything Bristol it helps if you have more than the normal number of joints on your arms and fingers: and it will always take 3 times longer than you planned :-)

Best of luck
Julian