Sanding diff plates - what grade of wet / dry

[mikeyscott]

Hi,

Giving my Cat SX a bit of an overhaul in the coming week and planning on doing a full diff rebuild and wanted to know what wet and dry to use with the Schumacher Cat SX plates.

800?

[bigred5765]

start with 600 or 800 then finish with 1200 - 1600 to polish it back up

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by bigred5765

start with 600 or 800 then finish with 1200 - 1600 to polish it back up

Ok cool, I will get the grades from B&Q on the way home.

Any particular tips or just follow Lee Martin's guide in the Tamiya section?

I have seen diff plate holding tools, are they worth it? Much More I think

[bigred5765]

just use a old diff half to hold the diff plate i try to use a sheet of glass to sand on as well, or a mega flat surface

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by bigred5765

just use a old diff half to hold the diff plate i try to use a sheet of glass to sand on as well, or a mega flat surface

Ok thanks for the tips. mmm tip to find an old diff half or check mine over.

[mikeyscott]

Is it worth trying to sand / revive existing diff plates, or do you only really do the sanding on new plates?

[MattW]

Can keep re-sanding if you wish, no issues. 600grit is your best bet. Personally I wouldn't advise going any finer than that.

[rallyjon]

I do 3 different grades,800,1200,2000,
seems to work out ok

[mikeyscott]

Where is the best place to get these grades as b&q are crap

[MattW]

I usually get them from a local car spares/accessories type shop. Failing that, Halfords - although usually more expensive.

[terryh]

Originally Posted by mikeyscott

Where is the best place to get these grades as b&q are crap

Halfords, or a motor spares shop.

You only really need 600grit, the objective is to flatten the diff rings and give the diff balls more grip, resulting in less slip.

[lochness42]

1000 and 2000 for me

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by terryh

Halfords, or a motor spares shop.

You only really need 600grit, the objective is to flatten the diff rings and give the diff balls more grip, resulting in less slip.

Darn Halfords was on the same park as B&Q

May head back later to have a look.

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by MattW

I usually get them from a local car spares/accessories type shop. Failing that, Halfords - although usually more expensive.

So you'd just use 600 and that's it?

[MattW]

Yes.

As Terry said, you're just looking to flatten them. 600g is fine enough to get a decent finish that doesn't feel rough to the ball, but also rough enough to actually "grip" the ball.

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by MattW

Yes.

As Terry said, you're just looking to flatten them. 600g is fine enough to get a decent finish that doesn't feel rough to the ball, but also rough enough to actually "grip" the ball.

Cool, got some sandpaper from halfords, so will look at tomorrow night as cat is chassis less after selling the stiff chassis. Roll on the sx2 cf chassis

ghost rc balls also turned up

[eichkay]

I recently did a over hall myself and i used 600# to remove a built up layer of crud, and the diffs are super smooth again.. I couldnt believe how thick the schey diff rings were compared to other brands ive used..

[ramdrive]

I use #1000 grit with ceramic balls and it works beautifully.

I build my diffs as per this guide and they have never been better:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOMu6...eature=related

Most important don't polish to a gloss shine the balls need something to grip...

I also always replace the diff plates in a rebuild.