ninja_eli

Just to say thanks to Leon and Terry for all their help. Also, my car's axle code was right, and the information from Toyota was wrong. It did have a LSD diff. Thanks to all for your help and advice.

This happened to me. At first I thought it was a problem with the handbrake light switch. The lights are the same as when you are stationary with the handbrake up. I had recently changed the pads and didn't think it could be that. Suffice to say the change of pads was longer than I thought and the car had done some stopping since then!! Also rear pads needed a change. As stated already the brake fluid will be the cause, and most likely you will need pads somewhere. Its such a nice feeling when you know there's nothing wrong with the car, rather its working perfectly.

If anyone has details of any salvage companies where I can get a diff, please let me know. Also, I think it is a good idea for companies to look through forums like these from time to time (I know it can kill time but hey!). A lot of the TVR specialists and even TVR themselves do this at http://www.pistonheads.com and it works very well for them. They get to know their customers better and know what they want. Just a thought. I guess my work on this problem will have to slow down until after New Year. Thanks one and all for your help. I really do appreciate the replies. Regards

Thanks I'll call his mobile now. BTW what would be the price (circa) of a used diff?

Nathan, No I didn't know it was replica. Is there much of a difference? ha ha ha only kidding(in case there are any Diablo owners reading!) Hard work, but must be an amazing feeling when its finished and you were the one who did it. Enough off topic as you say, although I will add that the 355 is pretty well engineered stuff! Interior on Supra is much more interesting though. I know you're busy so I won't take any unnecessary time, but thanks for taking the time to post here. Is Leon's number a work or home # ? PS. I love the way this system emails you when you have a response to a thread. Wonderful time saving feature. Congrats to the site owner(s).

Good question terminator, I still unsure how to test it, would like to know just for information if you know what I mean? I'm going to give Leon a call in any case, perhaps I'll learn by examples. Some things just cannot be explained in words! Nathan, its a good thing you are "trawling" websites, your knowledge and advice is appreciated! Funny you should say re Diablo. I bought my 355 Spider about 9 months ago now, and although I should have sold the Supra, I kept it because it is such a near perfect car. Its cost me a hell of a lot of money in insurance though, as the Supra has no NCB running on it. I;m not the oldest guy so I've been stung a little by it. The 355 has a warranty on it, but some items aren't covered. My bypass valve went (which is what controls the lovely sound it makes!) and that would cost £850 fitted. Expensive for such a small shitty valve. With hindsight, would you now have preferred to keep the Supra? I'm worried I'll feel the same way later. I have to sell the Supra before my insurance renewal as its a major waste of money for me to run both these cars. Just wondering whether I should let the 355 go... Would be interesting to hear your comments. Having both, I know that the 355 is quicker than Supra in stock trim, but there's not that much in it until you are near and over the ton. The handling on the Supra is not as good, but its still pretty amazing, and a well driven one is hard to leave. A Supra with a little extra "zap"? Bye bye 355. What swayed me to the 355 is the sound though, its so special and hasn't been recreated. Just hearing it through a tunnel is bliss. I wish Toyota had designed a little sound into the Supra. What a real Supercar it would be!!!

ha ha ha cheers Terminator. All for the causes of science and education eh? So I guess mine looks like LSD? What do you think Nathan? I think I'll give the number listed a call to see if he has an LSD diff. The only thing is this has become a bit of a issue between me and Toyota. It's a little mad that their database is so wrong.

The second pic:

Okay, scientific experiment carried out; Results as per two pics shown. Now that looks like LSD to me? What do you guys think? It looks as though Japan is wrong about the configuration of my car and that the car's tag is right? The length of the tyre marks is about 3 metres or so. I couldn't be bothered to take it out of my warehouse, so I spun it in there. I know it may be a bit of a stupid question, but do you think that is enough room to get the answer right? I guess it is as it would otherwise have just been one line, no? I could make a movie about this sinister situation....

Branners, thats interesting. I was told by the Toyota dealer in US, that the non LSD diff has a slightly narrower neck, therefore requiring two next axles, and a propellor shaft for the change. By straight swap do you mean these were unnecessary to change? It would make my life a lot easier! Will test my Supra out tomorrow for evidence of LSD. Just hope its a dry day

Hi Nathan, Thanks for the help, it really and truly is appreciated. I have spent most of today contacting Toyota dealers etc and trying to get some details. Apparently my car does NOT have LSD, according what the Toyota dealer in the USA has received from Japan. He agrees with you that it contradicts the axle code that I have got! I too am surprised at this scenario. The dealers are having a problem deciding what my car has! I think the source of my confusion is coming from the fact that a company called CTS (I don't know what the rules are here regarding naming and shaming etc, so I won't mention the full name!) had a look and claimed it was the LSD that has failed. He couldn't get hold of the parts and refunded the deposit for the repair. I think he failed to properly diagnose what my car has and the problem with it. I am still confused as to why it says B03B on the axle code, if mine was indeed originally never fitted with it? It will probably have to wait until the new year, but I will definitely bring the car in to you, the tyres are relatively new bridgestones, you are more than welcome to spread the rubber around a bit!!!! Apparently, if my car really is LSDless, I can get hold of a second hand LSD, but need the driveshaft and the axle sides(?). Is this more costly than just going the TRD route? Mark suggested TRD as the easier alternative due to the problems I have been having with Toyota. Is there a way of maintaining LSDless and just changing the internal components of the open diff that have failed? Wow, I think I'm beginning to learn a little about all this stuff, em well, then again maybe not! :D Thanks again for your help, Warmest Regards

I've got UK spec brakes with UK alloys. I'm in London, you would be more than welcome to try it out on mine to see if it fits. Regards

Terminator, I've had the car for over 5 years now, so I don't think anyone has swapped anything around. The car definitely has the codes B03B for the axle code. I am pretty sure that it does have the LSD. I bought the car from a Toyota dealer in Japan, and it has all the service history etc from Japan too. I personally imported it myself. Nathan, At the time of writing the first email to you, I did not know that the axle code existed. I knew only the chassis number and thought it could all be searched from there. I was clearly wrong there, Toyota informed me that the Jap spec cars do not have the same VIN codes as UK, US and Euro cars. In fact Nathan I did send the axle code to you guys later, but it was in a separate email, which was sent as an after thought as I just got the details of how to obtain the axle code right after sending you the first email on that day, perhaps you never got it? I was sending via a friends email on hotmail, I don't get confirmation of receipt unfortunately. I got a return email from you that it would be easier to have a TRD diff to be on the safe side. My post clearly states that I do have the chassis codes, what I said I needed and wanted to know existed on the Jap spec cars was the VIN code such as JT****** like US and Euro cars. What makes you think I never had my chassis code??? The problem is that the chassis code (frame no) does nothing to help identify the set up of the car. Either way, its still not resolved unfortunately, and I sympathise with anyone who has to search these things up, it can be a real nightmare. Thank you TDI plc, Nathan and Mark for taking the time to search for me. As you can understand, I would prefer to keep most items as stock as possible, so I would prefer the Toyota Diff. Apparently, it is a more appropriate system unless you are really racing or have some serious BHP going through it. I do neither, so would prefer to keep torsen type. However, if nothing comes up by early January I will book the car in with you guys to have the TRD LSD installed. In the meantime if anyone has any further info I would be very grateful. I also promise to post here any details I get from Toyota and any other Toyota dealers. These forums are an invaluable source of information. Thanks guys

yep, my model code is ALFQZ also. The axle code does return that the car has an LSD, torsen type. I believe this is what the mechanic that looked at it said, but he called it an open type diff, but claimed that it was a torsen open type diff!!! You can get a TRD LSD put on for £1200 plus VAT from TDI, not sure what others will quote. Does anyone know a good firm that are familiar with these cars? Just in case one firm cannot fit me/do the work etc etc? Its the repair shop that I gave the chassis code to that claims my car does not have the LSD, apparently they get this info from the Toyota register? I can't see how they obtained that data from the chassis no alone, without trans/axle details. But who am I to doubt them? In respect of the UK cars, they all came with it standard, as did all GZ spec cars. A lot of RZ cars were fitted with it too, but it was apparently optional. At least this has been very educational for me.

sorry double post