It’s been winging its way over from USA but I’ve just paid the customs charges on a Quaife diff for the Focus ST and it will be at my house on Tuesday. 
 

Going by the fitting guide that I’ve read on the FocusST forum, it’s not something I want to tackle myself - although it would be good to have something to get on with while lockdown is on. Has anyone here done it themselves? Or should I stick to the plan and get someone else doing it?

I was going to get my local guy to fit it for me, but he’s more a diesel mechanic so he will have swapped out a few diffs in his time, but should I be looking to find a more performance car focused shop?

If so, does anyone know one in the Perthshire or general Scotlandshire region??

The gearbox in the mk3 focus ST is the same one they fit to all the 2.0 TDCi Fords. So might be that they’ve already done one before. 

1 hour ago, alexp999 said:

The gearbox in the mk3 focus ST is the same one they fit to all the 2.0 TDCi Fords. So might be that they’ve already done one before. 

When I say diesel mechanic I mean plant, pickups etc so I’m not sure he will have ever seen the underside of any Focus!

27 minutes ago, The Finance Guy said:

When I say diesel mechanic I mean plant, pickups etc so I’m not sure he will have ever seen the underside of any Focus!

Heavy duty equipment will always have a differential especially four wheel drive or trucks, I'd be happy to go with someone you can trust and take a few miles to let it bed in before launching it, 

Also if it was mine; I'd get the correct gear box oil and provide it for the job, you will need replacement for the existing oil and an extra litre for the extra capacity of the LSD system. 

For optimum results then disable ESP when you get in the car because it prevents all wheel spin where the LSD allows for a bit of play. 

23 minutes ago, Lenny said:

Heavy duty equipment will always have a differential especially four wheel drive or trucks, I'd be happy to go with someone you can trust and take a few miles to let it bed in before launching it, 

Also if it was mine; I'd get the correct gear box oil and provide it for the job, you will need replacement for the existing oil and an extra litre for the extra capacity of the LSD system. 

For optimum results then disable ESP when you get in the car because it prevents all wheel spin where the LSD allows for a bit of play. 

Good point on the gear oil. Will get that in. 
 

I’m hoping I don’t need to get any bearings in? The part is second hand from USA. 

56 minutes ago, The Finance Guy said:

Good point on the gear oil. Will get that in. 
 

I’m hoping I don’t need to get any bearings in? The part is second hand from USA. 

Your mechanic may have replacement bearings if there required; chances are though the vehicle was written off soon after fitting the LSD 😅 that said take time to become familiar with the new characteristics when fitted.

1 minute ago, Lenny said:

Your mechanic may have replacement bearings if there required; chances are though the vehicle was written off soon after fitting the LSD 😅 that said take time to become familiar with the new characteristics when fitted.

Not quite - it actually came from a factory ford race team and wasn’t crashed. It got light use as they had 4 diffs for 2 cars. 

Ever time I’ve heard of someone fitting a diff they’ve had the bearings and oil seals replaced at the same time.

how much has the diff cost so far?

3 minutes ago, MarksST said:

Ever time I’ve heard of someone fitting a diff they’ve had the bearings and oil seals replaced at the same time.

how much has the diff cost so far?

£496

£294 for the item, £127 for delivery from US, and then £75 for customs.

 

19 minutes ago, MarksST said:

Ever time I’ve heard of someone fitting a diff they’ve had the bearings and oil seals replaced at the same time.

Yeh that's what I've seen when looking into one and seeing the videos on YouTube
https://www.mountunestore.com/collections/mk3-focus-st-mca-2015/products/differential-fitting-kit-1

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