differential housing and crown wheel [update]

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

hey guys
this is my first post, but i have been an avid reader for some time now!

i just bought a bargain 1.8 16v clio, low priced due to there being a hole in the diff housing and the crown wheel is missing five or more teeth. id probably go to say the gearbox is shot as well, as its been driven a couple of times with no oil (not me!).
Ive looked into how the diff works, and have a simple understanding of it, but i have no idea what the crown wheel is or what it does and would love to understand.

im also wondering what kind of work is required to rectify these issues, or whether its just a case of wahcking a new box in the beast.

also, ive heard rumours of R19 boxes, being a whole bunch better than clio ones, being able to be fitted, is this true? what kind of work is involved?

and, hopefully not asking too much, i was wondering at what prices i should be looking at to do what you suggest, i mean im only after rough figures cos i know everyone charges differently, i imagine this is something chris can do easily, he seems very knowledgable indeed!

thanks for the help and keep up the useful site!

Retroholic Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 5685

Buying a secondhand box and getting it fitted will be 10 times cheaper than getting somebody to even attempt to open up yours

The gearbox in yours would be a JB3 and its the same as used in the 19's. If you're lookin for somethin stronger then the JC5 from the clio williams/turbo diesel 19s amongst others is available but normally at 5 times the price

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

check out ebay for an idea of prices on boxes...theres usually some on there or someone breaking a 19 or clio which u can ask for the box off them.

as for fitting...as a guide i paid a garage a few yrs back 150 to change a clutch...this involves all the same amount of work as the box has to come off.

but this was on a 19...not sure if the clio is much more or less work, dont think it is.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

Like the boys said a new box. Chets estimate about pricing is also probably about right for opening it up and sorting it out.

2nd hand boxes, now this is an area that fluctuates wildly. I have seen williams JC5 boxes go for 50 quid, but sometimes people want 500 for one.

A new box (JC5) is under 500 from renault.

Have a look on e-bay or get in touch with paul mitchell paul@infincar.com his prices can be high but you will get the box and it will be delivered.

new box isn't that hard to fit. If the car was new and the bolts etc all nice and free from corrosion, you could batter in a new box in around 2 hours tops.

With rust and so on maybe 3/4 hours doing it yourself.

Easiest way is to whip out the engine and box but it can be done leaving the engine in place. Get a new clutch at the same time.

The crownwheel is the gear around the diff housing, its what makes the wheels turn, it rotates the diff, the sunwheels inside are what allow the roadwheels to turn at different speeds etc.

have a look on www.howstuffworks.com they might have an explaination and diagrams.

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

cheers for the replies guys

i originally used howstuffworks to find info, but it only has on the differential and not the crown wheel, but its a better feeling to know what it is and does now!

a new box it is then, i dont think id consider doing it myself, lack of equipment and location, unless you could do it sat in the puddle on a driveway, which im certain you cannot! I will have to find a secondhand box for relatively cheap and then do the dreaded run of garages until i find someone who is not willing to pull my pants down over the price - hard task.

would the JC5 just fit in as easily as the JB3 box i take it, so it wouldnt matter which one i purchased as long as it was one or the other? time to go shopping!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

where are you located? There are a few of us on the forums that can do it/help you do it.

Boxes are the same so theres no problem with fitting.

Theres 2 different bellhousings but they both fit and theonly diff is theres a small gap underneath which isn't a real problem.

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

im in west london, uxbridge
it would be really sweet if there was someone near down here, but i gather youre all from scotland? Smile

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

I'm from Scotland as are a few others but I think Andy 16V and David3533 are both near to London and they are doing Andys 16V gearbox and clutch change at the moment!

Look in the members projects forum.

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

ah, thats very convenient!
I will go and take a peak.
i bought my black 16v for 250, was going to pay 200 but he threw in some really good condition 17" alloys for 50, as i originally was going to break it. but looking at it when i went to see it, my head filled up with beautiful plans of driving it around, which i couldnt shun, so decided to look into fixing her up.. personally i think ive got a bargain and if i can get her fixed, ill be super chuffed! ill get pics when she gets delivered.. hopefully start my own thread in projects when i know what im doing with her!

Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 7

well, i can get a JB3 for Â£60, just finding out how many miles its covered
what other things should i look for, just the box, the clutch, anything else?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

box, get new clutch and get some new bushes for the linkage. Do a search the prices and part numbers are on the forums somewhere.

Mileage isn't a problem with the box btw