differential shims, needed on our trannies?

[240sxrb25det]

i've pulled apart three different nissan differentials (s14 open diff, s14 vlsd, and q45 vlsd), all r200v, and none of them had shims in the differntial to get the gears to mesh correctly. this lead me to believe that nissan machined the cases/gears to close enough to where once there bolted into place there clearances are within tolerances. is this true? i would like to know because i want to put the ring and pinion gear from the q45 into my s14 for the 3.5xx ratioany help would be appreciated Dane

[s13sr20chris]

ok, all of the ones i have taken apart had shims. you may have had them and not recognised them. also, the q45 diff is a r230 for the 230mm ring gear. that big old 230mm gear wont fit in a little housing for a 200mm gear. the r230 requires a crush washer which makes it a pain in the butt too.

[240sxrb25det]

hmm now im confused, the ring gear on the q45 diff was the same inner diameter (measured with a dial caliper) and fit on the lsd pack of my s14 perfectly, ive also read in a couple articles that stated the q45 to have a 200v i dont know if there are certain years with different ring gears.

however the outer diameter was larger than the 4.08 gear ring so i was gonna swap the rear cover, because the cases are the same size, the bolt holes on the case cover line up as well.

also where is the crush washer. and are the shims the ones on the sides of the bearings? because if so then they were all the same arangement one thick one on one side and a thin one on the other.

any info appreciated Dane

[Q45tech]

The 90-96 Q45 diff is a R200 [rear cover varied with year models as did inpur nose and output shafts depending on single or dual channel rear ABS/traction contol/active suspension], the 300zxtt is a R230.

[s13sr20chris]

ah hah. i thought the q had the 230. did it ever have the 230? i wonder. ok, the shims are the things on the sides. the crush washer is on the pinion shaft. it is in the front of the diff but behind the bearing so it cannot be replaced without removing the ring gear. however, i dont know of any r200's that have one. i know the r230 has one and a lot of nissan solid axles have them too. it looks like a cylindrical collar thingy.

[240sxrb25det]

one last question, is the pinion gear pressed into the case? or could i pull off the flange and persuade it with 3lb hammer?thanks Dane

[s13sr20chris]

it will come out easily once the flange is off and diff carrier is out.