Differential Bushing $20 DIY option (with pics)

39563 Views 44 Replies 29 Participants Last post by spacebar, 7 mo ago

1990Z51

Discussion Starter · Aug 13, 2013 (Edited)

4

Here is a description of how to replace the front differential bushing with an Energy Suspension 3.2125R 1-3/4" OD Rear Frame Shackle for Chevy Truck. Cost is about $20 (amazon). This is very easy and the fit is great. The only drawback it removing the exhaust if you live in the rust-belt

This was described here without pics http://www.cadillacforums.com/forum...82041-differential-bushing-16-diy-option.html

... so here is a version with pics!!

Take off the exhaust

Remove two rear differential bushing bolts. The bolts do not come all the way out and they do NOT need to.

Auto part Vehicle Car Engine Suspension

Remove the front bolt and nut (be careful, you need to support the differential with a jack stand) The differential will drop down enough to service the front bushing

Auto part Tire Automotive tire

This is what came out of the front bushing (the outer cage stays in place - no need to try and press it out)

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1990Z51

Discussion Starter · #2 · Aug 13, 2013

3

Next you need to cut the new bushing down so it is 2.5" overall in length. I took 1/2" off one of the halves to get the correct length.

Pink Product Auto part Cylinder Magenta

You also need to cut the center insert down as well.

Material property Metal

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1990Z51

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 13, 2013

2

Then you just place the bushing in and bolt everything back together!

Pink Auto part Magenta

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odla

· #4 · Sep 18, 2013

How is this holding up so far?

jims_ctsv

· #5 · Dec 23, 2013

Does anyone know if this actually works?

onebadcadi

· #6 · Mar 14, 2014

I just did this . And it was easy. And the results are amazing . Reduced wheelhop. Way stiffer. When you order the bushings it comes with two. So I have a spare. I found out the best way to get the old bushing out was a slide hammer.

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nikdsctsv

· #7 · Mar 14, 2014

seems too me that 50$ for a revshift or creative steel bushing would be worth the hassle of saving 30$. May be just me.

Chirpin4th

· #8 · May 13, 2014

I know this is old, BUT... to anyone who has done this, are you leaving in the metal sleeve before installing the new bushing?

Chirpin4th

· #9 · May 13, 2014

Nvr mind.

The info I was looking for was in the first post.

Thanks

Twitch

· #10 · May 14, 2014

nikdsctsv said:
seems too me that 50$ for a revshift or creative steel bushing would be worth the hassle of saving 30$. May be just me.

Actually the fact that you don't need to remove the sleeve means you can do it without renting special tools.

I'm wondering about the added diff whine with this bushing.

coltboostin

· #11 · Jun 15, 2014

Twitch said:
Actually the fact that you don't need to remove the sleeve means you can do it without renting special tools.

I'm wondering about the added diff whine with this bushing.

BINGO!

Worth the price of admission right there.

AAIIIC

· #12 · Jun 15, 2014

Twitch said:
Actually the fact that you don't need to remove the sleeve means you can do it without renting special tools.

And having the sleeve still in there means there's less bushing material. It's probably only a marginal difference, but it'll be a bit more firm than the bushings that remove the sleeve.

Twitch said:
I'm wondering about the added diff whine with this bushing.

AFAIK, Energy Suspension uses poly with a durometer that's in the same ballpark as the other bushings that are out there, so it should have the same impact on NVH.

SashafromTO

· #13 · Feb 5, 2015 (Edited by Moderator)

Found this thread as I think I may be due for a replacement in the near future. Like the idea of not having to struggle with removing the sleeve from the old bushing.

Wondering how the long-term results are for this DIY bushing. Also, wondering if this bushing adds differential noise into the interior like some of the others?

AAIIIC

· #14 · Feb 5, 2015

Any time you replace a squishy rubber bushing with a firmer poly bushing, you're going to introduce more NVH. How much more noise, and whether it's objectionable or not, will vary from car to car and from person to person. And if your stock bushing is totally shot (as many folks have seen), you might gain a bit of gear noise being transmitted into the cabin, but lose some driveline lash/clunk noises, so the overall effect can be a positive.

sarg

· #15 · Apr 1, 2015

Any updates for longevity?

WesH8398

· #16 · Apr 1, 2015 (Edited)

Old thread revival!! Yay! I'd forgotten about wanting to do this, but now it's back on my list

Be interested to hear any reports back on how it holds up too. I wonder if this would be at all possible with the exhaust system still in place...?

EDIT: Also, I see they have a "black" version that is the same durometer, etc, except it's Graphite Impregnated in order to help self-lubricate (wait a second... can we 'graphite impregnate'... nevermind). Would there be any advantage or disadvantage to this for the application that we're using it in (front diff bushing)?

From their site: How are these two colors different?

The only difference between the red and black parts is that most Black Energy Suspension parts are Graphite Impregnated. This serves to help self lubricate the bushings. The Red parts do not have this characteristic. Aside from the actual color and the lack of being Graphite Impregnated - the red parts are essentially the same as the black.

Lathedog

· #17 · Jun 2, 2015

No need for lubrication. This doesn't move

Lathedog

· #18 · Jun 5, 2015

Starting to install these in mine tonite..

WesH8398

· #19 · Jun 5, 2015

Lathedog said:
Starting to install these in mine tonite..

Let me know how it goes, and what (if any) difference it makes!

Lathedog

· #20 · Jun 6, 2015

All done.It really wasn't too bad.My exhaust is stainless so came apart easy.Yes you have to drop the exhaust.. I have a machine shop so I turned the bushings to length but you could hacksaw them.Probably had about a hour and half in doing it.
I never drove the car before so I can't compare the bushings.The bushing in it was replaced at one time.It wasn't shot but when I layed under it and lifted on the nose of the rearend it moved up and down.I installed the new one and it doesn't move now.I imagine it will be fine. Jim

Pic or it didn't happen. Lol.

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