I think I get your drift and if that's the case, you have just solved a long awaited question. I have a "96 Sportage. I know for a fact that its 26 splines in the rear and I put in an Eaton LSD. Now, for what I hear, I can go and buy another Eaton LSD for the rear and it will fit in the front. Is that right?

Hi Maraguez,

It sounds like a very good possability. If I understand yuennong, the front and rear ring gears have the same "bolt pattern" kind of like Bronco wheels and Sportage wheels. Of course the rear ring gear might not fit into the front housing and the mesh might be different but this could open up some interesting possabilities. Like if a front ARB is made, it could also fit the rear of the older Sportages.

I was trying to get on www.kiausaparts.com to compare front and rear bearings, pinions, ring gear bolts etc. to see what had EXACTLY the same part numbers but the site seems to be down today.

I'm sorry
I mean take out every part from front differential carrier and
install every part from rear carrier into front
thank
yuenngong

MY website
http://www.weekendhobby.com/offroad/kia/WEBLIST.ASP
yuenngong

Hi yuennong,

I am not sure that we are talking about the same part when we talk about the "carrier". To me the "carrier" is the casting that the ring gear bolts onto, the bearings are pressed on to the ends of the carrier, and the spider gears and side gears are inside.

HI RON
you can see the picture in the page1 of this topic
everything part of rear( second hand )limited slip differential are install into front axle casing
yuennong

Hi yuenngong,

So I think you are saying that those two pictures are showing the same differential. In one picture it is showing the differential installed in the rear housing and in the other picture it is showing the [color:"blue"]same [/color] differential installed in a front housing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Was the only difference the ABS ring had to be removed to fit the ring gear into the front axle housing?

Can front and rear ring & pinion gear sets be interchanged?

By the way, most of the Sportages in the USA do NOT have a limited slip in either the front or rear. Most also did NOT have ABS.

Thanks for all of your info. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ron

OK I think I get what you are saying. I go out and buy a used rear 1996 Kia differential. I remove the whole thing from the inside and replace the open differential with a LSD and it should all bolt on to the front housing. Now, will the shaft of the CV joint fit the carrier? Is it does, it is easy to do a LSD change in the front.

I hate to say it, but I told you so.

You can use a rear Eaton LSD in the front of the Sportage.

The real questions now are:

1. Did KIA change the front differential to be the same as the 28 spline rear in the 1998 - 2003 models or did they keep the 26 spline differential from the 1995 - 1997 models?

If they did, ARB only needs to make 2 lockers. One for 1995 - 1997 and one for 1998 - 2003.

If not, ARB still only needs to make 2 lockers. Those of us with 1998 - 2003 models will just have to use a 1995 - 1997 model locker in the front.

2. How well does the Eaton LSD operate in reverse?
Any complications to operating it this way?

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I checked the part numbers for front and rear '96 diffs.

The bearings, adjusters, pinion crush sleeve and a few other parts are the same.

It looks like there is a very good probability that a 97 and older rear diffs will fit the front of any year Sportage. The 26 spline Eaton should also fit.

This also means that the Miata Torsen should fit the rear 97 and older Sportages.

Maraguez.....do you want to be the victim to try a Sportage rear in your front? I think you will still have to use your old front housing.

Ron