Rear Axles Adam S-J
	Rear Axle: In the November '99 Newsletter there was an article on the use of the Lada Riva rear axle instead of the Escort unit. Apparently the dimensions of the Lada unit are identical to the Escort one, and the quality is good. 3.9 and 4.1 ratios are available, the cost should be low. The hubs can be modified by Procomp (http://www.Procomp.co.uk) to 4 stud Ford type. Further info from Simon Oaten in Australia: Further to the Lada axle.............. it is based on the old Fiat 124 and does have a history of being a little weak (tend to break pinions), probably because backlash is not kept in check. The 124 has a good range of ratios 3.9:1, 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4 (124 station wagon and Lada wagons, rare in Oz). Obviously there are Abarth bits available but v expensive. Another alternative (that is much much stronger) is the Fiat 132 complete axle. The only problem is that the only ratio available (in the early banjo style) is 4.1:1. However, comes complete with rear disks and diff appears indestructible (holds together behind turbos in Australia) I have used (in a Fiat 124) a Mazda RX2 (Capella in Oz) rear housing, which is almost the same length as 124/132 Fiat stuff. Much stronger again that the Fiat bits, have v large range of ratios (3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.44, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1 etc), are reasonably light, can get clutch pack lsd's, and are readily available (Mazda vans come with full floating hubs, but require more work to fit brakes).