How does the rancho F diff mount bushing compare to the stock one?

[backcountryislife]

Reaper is stuck a few hours away with a trashed front diff mount bushing.

I've got the Energy suspension bushings that were at one point recommended for the bushing rebuild on here, and never even opened the box.

I'm wondering if we could use that to rebuild HIS crossmember bushing, to get him running again? The box of bushings will just sit here otherwise.


Any ideas?

 

[4speedfunk]

I assume you're talking about the crossmember bushing? You'll need a torch to burn the old bushing out of the crossmember...grab a "Burnz-o-matic" propane torch at Wal-mart or something. These little portable torches are great for jobs like this, and they are cheap & easy to use on the trail. Then you'll want a new bolt...probably 1/2"x 6" long...a matching nut...and an assortment some heavy gauge fender washers (big ones). That should get you close.

FWIW...it should be drivable. I've never heard of a diff bushing failure that was so bad you couldn't drive. I've seen several of them completely gone, and the owners were driving around un-aware that they even had an issue.

 

[06 H3]

Those bushings are a POS! Carry a spare or modify it like nugget did. You can drive home and avoid the tow truck, pull the driveshaft out and run it in 4 hi locked. torque the bolt down as much as you can and hopefully it will keep the diff in ok shape.



Those bushings are not the same as stock. Tim sent me an email asking me some questions about it. I think you should be fine to get home without a tow truck if you pull the driveshaft torque that bolt down and run it in 4 hi locked. How far do you have to go?

Nugget came up with solutions to the problem. I will start looking into making the upgrades he did and get 2 of everything so you can have a set.



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I posted those two up on the moab thread where he said hes stranded. Tim also emailed me and I emailed him back...He can drive home, if he wants to be cautious pull the driveshaft bolt down the diff as much as you can and drive home in 4 hi locked.

 

[06 H3]

the one you have probably wont work with the setup we have...4speeds washer idea is a good one. Its definitely drivable. He could probably be back on the road in less then 30 min

 

[reaper]

It's my driveshaft that crapped... and caused the bushing to fail. Driving home in 2 wheel mode, Rancho bushing is in the mail, will get the shaft rebuilt this week. Chris, when is your bushing fix ready? I might wait for your fix if it's soon. I'll post a pic of the broke bushing when I get home.

 

[4speedfunk]

Rebuilt shaft? Trash-can & replace, right?

 

[06 H3]

Looking at Nuggets fix its just a longer crush pin. I will post it here

4speed, The one I bought from you is rebuildable correct?

Reaper, is yours a stock shaft?

 

[reaper]

It's a lengthened shaft with double Cardons and a slip joint. Custom made in Denver... cost me $500 2 years ago. The stock shaft is too short for the Rancho kit.

 

[reaper]

Btw, Rancho is shipping me a new bushing kit no charge.

 

[Zach]

Btw, Rancho is shipping me a new bushing kit no charge.

Glad to hear that they are taking care of it for you

 

[bebe]

It's a lengthened shaft with double Cardons and a slip joint. Custom made in Denver... cost me $500 2 years ago. The stock shaft is too short for the Rancho kit.

Have you been greasing it regularly? What part of the joint failed?

 

[06 H3]

I've got one also if you don't grease it regularly it will fail...

I gotta call and get a new one I can start to feel the clunk

 

[4speedfunk]

A cardan joint will fail quite rapidly if it is not greased every 4K-5K miles. That center pin can build up alot of heat...and once it boils the grease out, you're done. The cool thing is...they are re-buildable...for very cheap too (like $12 at NAPA). I think we sometimes forget how nice late model components are until we back-date our trucks to REAL parts. While its true...you get rid of the whimpy, non-servicable CV-shaft...the downside is you gotta perform 70's era maintenance. Remember...we're full-time 4WD, and that shaft is in constant use. Its the extended highway miles that burns em up.

LUBRICATION is the key to a happy shaft!

:wink:

 

[reaper]

FYI: Here's a pic of the trashed bushing:


For a "trail fix" a body mount bushing was crammed in there with the good half and then the driveshaft was disconnected.

 

[SolidusJ]

After all this talk I started to think maybe I should post up how my bushing looks and ask you guys if they are shot?

 

[06 H3]

The second pic is looking like its starting to go. I changed out one and its still in perfect shape and the other is destroyed...Ill post up a pic of mine when I have some free time. All three of these bushings (2 front of diff one behind the diff) need to be upgraded IMO. Nugget came up with a solution and told me to contact PhilD @trailduty. I called, emailed and messaged him. no answers...Does anyone have a contact to get him?

He had a good looking solution!

 

[06 H3]