Input Shaft Swap

[aerovolito]

I want to change the TD input shaft on my 5sp diesel box (with locking diff) to a 28 spline TDI. Do I need to move the diff over or will it slide past?

[Aidan]

with a difflock diff you will find it easier to move the diff aside which means taking off the flanges and undoing the adjusting rings etc.. make sure the marks on the case are noted so they can be put back in exactly the same place, if not marked mark them so you don't mix them up side to side and so they align okay, if you mess this up you can affect the preload on the diff bearings and the backlash between the crown and pinion
when fitting the new shaft screw the double ended screw into the mainshaft first then screw the new shaft on all the way and then back it off 1 spline so when the sleeve is slid down and the circlip (new one everytime) is fitted the input shaft is slightly loose when fitted, it is aligned correctly by the spigot bearing in the engine, it mustn't be rigid

[aerovolito]

Great info. Thanks.