3200GT limited slip diff

Gecara8183

Junior Member
Messages
74
Hi again Maseati gurus.
I may have a bit of wear in the clutches in my diff as getting a bit of transmission backlash. Any one know where or even if they can be repaired.
 

Lozzer

Member
Messages
2,280
Hi again Maseati gurus.
I may have a bit of wear in the clutches in my diff as getting a bit of transmission backlash. Any one know where or even if they can be repaired.
The backlash of the 3200 diff is nothing compared to the backlash you get from buying a 4200, especially a 4200 convertible ......
 

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,075
When you get wear in the clutches of a plate type diff it doesn’t affect backlash it just loses its ability to lock.

If you’ve got backlash it’s wear in the crown wheel/pinion, gears, propshaft or driveshafts.
 

Gecara8183

Junior Member
Messages
74
When you get wear in the clutches of a plate type diff it doesn’t affect backlash it just loses its ability to lock.

If you’ve got backlash it’s wear in the crown wheel/pinion, gears, propshaft or driveshafts.
Thanks tried a second diff. No better. Do you get the clunk when you de accelerate and accelerate
 

Lozzer

Member
Messages
2,280
Thanks tried a second diff. No better. Do you get the clunk when you de accelerate and accelerate
I don't get that, I get a clunk when I engage gear, usually from reverse to first but nothing when driving, that's in an auto btw. Sounds like the diff is not your culprit. Centre bearing of the prop? They have been known to cause an issue.
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
The diff backlash issue is more prone on manual gear box cars, although the same problem exists on autos, an auto box don't lift between gear changes so you don't hear it as much
All 3200's suffer from driveline shunting, its nothing to worry about!

Dave
 
Last edited:

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
I would check the rear wheel bearings they are more likely to be loose than the drivetrain. I agree the 3200 has some slack in the drivetrain. I had vibration issues and replaced the driveshafts, and propshaft, and it turned out to be a loose wheel bearing and a goosed final bearing on the gearbox and the driveshafts and prop were fine. The slack in the diff was measurable but did not seem to be aproblem, and indeed is not today. My feeling is if there is a clunk its probably not the diff, ifs its just a bit of movement in the drivetrain, then they all do that. I still have the driveshafts and prop if they help.
 

Gecara8183

Junior Member
Messages
74
Hi Dave83

Yes I think your right. I have had a new centre bearing and front rubber coupling.

Prop checked by specialist

Drive shafts I have checked regressed and rebooted.

So I am coming to conclusion you have to live with it.

Water pump is seeking so will use it this year see how it develops

Your throttle body seems to have settled down.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
 

Gecara8183

Junior Member
Messages
74
Hi Enzo
I have a manual which also suffers from a bit of back lash. I also think it is the clutches. Replaced centre bearing etc no different. What was suggested to me was to try a thicker oil in the diff. This I have done and can say that it has reduced my problem to a point where I am happy. Sofar 20 quid it worth a try
 

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
This is an interesting point. I have never seen parts for the diff and also never heard of anyone re-furbishing them. But you are right they should not last forever. maybe they just last longer than the rest of the car?

I am sorry to bump up an old thread.

Does anyone know where to overhaul the diff of 3200's? The clutches should not have infinite longevity, so the diff should have to be rebuilt periodically. However, Maserati does not supply internals.
 

Enz0

Member
Messages
108
The differential itself will last very long. However, the clutch packs won't, I guess.
When the clutch packs wear, first, the initial torque will decrease.
Ultimately, if the packs are worn completely, the diff acts as an open diff.

It will be difficult to notice the condition of the LSD by driving. All we know about 3200's diff is that it has a locking rate of 40%, nothing about initial torque.
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
All 3200's suffer from this to a larger or lesser extent, just like any other Ferrari or Lamborghini of a similar age with a plate diff

Stuart at Shiltec who 20 year ago worked at Graypaul when 3200 were new, said they always came in like this from new, manuals cars were worse
I had a 3200 diff apart a couple of years ago, except for the number of plates Its exactly the same layout as the old ZF Atlas Ford diffs or the Alfa GTA types from the 60's and 70's

In those you shimmed out the crown wheel outer bearings to adjust the backlash...

Its the sort of thing you did in the shed on Friday night before the next weekends race or rally ;)

Dave
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,119
@alfatwo
Dave when I did a short stint working for Ford in NZ i was the oldest guy in the workshop and we had a nearly new under warranty Aus Falcon big supercharged V8 manual gearbox and the customer wasn't happy.
I was given the job to strip and rebuild it as no one else could.
All the other techs just wanted to do service and recall work and most of them i wouldn't let touch my lawnmower that's for sure.
 

Gecara8183

Junior Member
Messages
74
Hi I have got a spare diff. It would be great if one of you diff gurus could shim for the group.