by Tom Hall in the March 2005 RootesReview
Contrary to a common myth, installing a limited slip differential carrier in a Tiger axle with the 2.88 gear set is not a major problem.
You do have to address the ring gear bolt size depending on your source for the carrier. You have to find a carrier intended for gear ratios 3.78 and below. The gears will not fit with carriers for higher numerical ratios. While there are many Dana 44 carriers that will “fit”, you also need to pay attention to the spline count (19 splines for a Tiger axle) and the thrust buttons that separate the axles and provide the load transfers between the two axle bearings.
I frequently convert the”posi’s” that people find from ball bearing axle applications to the taper bearing axle that the Tiger uses. I manufactured a supply of these thrust buttons and have them available in the hardened condition. I found that the aftermarket industry has commonly replaced the hardened buttons with simple machined buttons. These buttons are too soft and wear out rather quickly leaving metal particles and sloppy axle fits.
You can pretty much count on rebuilding a used posi carrier to replace the internal clutches. Dana, in their infinite wisdom has discontinued the manufacture of the heavy duty replacement clutches (22937X) and only has the light duty (222333X) replacements available at this time. The difference between the heavy duty and the light duty clutch pack is in the number of “coned” clutch plates, which basically set the preload or torque between the axles. The higher the preload the less the axles will “slip” before they start locking together.
Here are a few other notes. First there are Dana posi units out in the world that have only two spider gears. They are best known as ”Torque-Lok” as opposed to the four gear “Powr-Lok” and they are obviously not as strong. Next, a clutch type positraction differential requires a friction modifier to work correctly. While several manufacturers make gear oil with this additive, I’ve always found that adding the additive to straight gear oil seems to work the best. Both GM and Ford have this additive and I prefer the Ford stuff. I have a small supply and the Ford part number is C8AZ-19B546-A. If it is still available, I would like to get some more. The Ford Motor sport catalog lists the friction modifier as M -19546-A. This should be the same product and it is used in all the late model traction-lok axle assemblies. I have not given any posi case numbers as my list is not comprehensive and I hope you will be able to identify the posi you need from the info above.
Here is additional Information from Steve Laifman: The DANA 44 is made in England by the Salisbury Division of Dana, and has been used on the Jaguar Mk II sedan.The bolt circle and hole diameter on the carrier is identical to that on the Tiger 2.88 gears. I have been taken to task for saying it “bolts right in”, I feel I should clarify that by saying that changing the differential (limited slip, or not), or the ring and pinion, is not a amateur’s job and requires shop equipment usually found at 4 WD shops. The detailed tools and instructions are in the Sunbeam “260” (TIGER) Workshop Manual which can be reached at: http://www.tigersunited.com/resources/wsm/wsmG6 .asp (Ed. Note: link is no longer active). Although this covers the standard ring and pinion, there is only a small difference of load buttons in the limited slip differential.
More from Larry Paulick: I have been using Mobil 1 Differential Oil in my Dana 44, 354 Posi, for the last 6 years, and it needs no additives. It pours like oil, not molasses, and there have been no leaks at the seals, etc.