Cross-member question...again w/video!!

[cgalpha08]

I have a thud sometimes when I accelerate and i am not sure what its coming from, think it might be the crossmember but im not sure. Anyway here is a video of the crossmember bushing and movement, is it normal? and yes i know i need a new pinion seal.
Also thought you all might like some video of what it looks like under there while in motion.
Ignore the hand at the end

[video=youtube;jY2z2_EB_ws]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY2z2_EB_ws&feature=youtu.be[/video]


Pics:

I know there are multiple threads on this, but none really described how much movement is bad, only showed sometimes how bad the bushing looks when its all worn.
I am just trying to find out where the thud comes from

 

[USMC_TOP]

Looks like too much play sir


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[Bigunit]

Not normal play. That CM bushing is shot.

 

[Best4x4]

Time for a new bushing! It's dead...

 

[rascole]

Yep, it's bad but thankfully it is an easy fix.

 

[cgalpha08]

I had a sinking feeling you guys might say that. Thanks for the input

 

[4speedfunk]

Sorry I didn't see what you guys did. I just see a truck driving. CG... You need to power brake it to see if the bushing has separated. Don't drive it ...just power brake it while sitting still.

 

[cgalpha08]

Sorry I didn't see what you guys did. I just see a truck driving. CG... You need to power brake it to see if the bushing has separated. Don't drive it ...just power brake it while sitting still.

Just brake, shift to reverse, and a little gas while the foots on the brake right?

 

[alrock]

I think you need some jam, cuz your crossmember bushing is toast! :giggle:

 

[4speedfunk]

I think you need some jam, cuz your crossmember bushing is toast!

Nah...just stock. They're all that sloppy. A brand new H3 with zero miles will look just like that video. I've seen many smoked crossmember bushings, and yours is only a 3 on scale of 10. It must have been "bong-hit day" at GM when they came up with that design. There are only two ways to check em...power-brake it and see if the pumpkin flies up off the bushing about three-quarters of an inch...or drop the crossmember and see if the bushing falls out in two pieces! Whatever the case...the stock bushing is a total POS (even brand new). Without question, I would upgrade it with the Scorpworks or the Outfitter Design unit regardless of the mileage or condition of your stock one.

As a side note...the outboard diff bushings are equally worthless. The OD kit comes with all three, and if I still had an IFS...this kit would be on my truck an hour after I drove it off the lot.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I'm not convinced your bushing is the cause of all that ails you. When my differential seal started leaking, it was the sign that all was not well within my case. I've differentials under my diesel pickup that haven't been changed since GM put them in in 1977, and they have at least 500,000 miles on them. While some play is fine, the amount of play you have plus the leak suggests to me that your clunk could be in your differential. I'd, at minimum, swap the fluid and look for shiny bits when you do the cross member bushing.

Also, it took replacing the unit bearings to get rid of my all of the clunks... however, the majority of noise was eliminated with the bushing.

 

[digglesworth]

Nah...just stock. They're all that sloppy. A brand new H3 with zero miles will look just like that video. I've seen many smoked crossmember bushings, and yours is only a 3 on scale of 10. It must have been "bong-hit day" at GM when they came up with that design. There are only two ways to check em...power-brake it and see if the pumpkin flies up off the bushing about three-quarters of an inch...or drop the crossmember and see if the bushing falls out in two pieces! Whatever the case...the stock bushing is a total POS (even brand new). Without question, I would upgrade it with the Scorpworks or the Outfitter Design unit regardless of the mileage or condition of your stock one.

As a side note...the outboard diff bushings are equally worthless. The OD kit comes with all three, and if I still had an IFS...this kit would be on my truck an hour after I drove it off the lot.

Dang. Screw the joints and one-hitters.... They went straight to bong hits. Well, at least morale must've been "high" back then. Along with vending machine sales..... Lol
I'm also considering the OD kit to go with my steering rack kit. However, I'm hoping my Rancho lift deal is still a go so I called OD to see if I could just buy the outer bushings since the Rancho crossmember comes with it's own. They said no dice. All or nothing. Not a total deal breaker though. I can either try to make theirs work in a Rancho crossmember or sell it to one of the folks needing theirs replaced.

 

[Best4x4]

Digglesworth I'm eventually going to have to replace my wife's H3 Adventure front diff crossmember bushing. We can work out the $$, because I'm not sure if I can convience my wife on the 250.00 one plus a core charge for her rig.

 

[digglesworth]

The OD kit is only $200 but you've gotta do the work yourself. But when it's done, all 3 bushings are fixed.