HELP: Differential Bushing Problem

[reccakun08]

i have a 1990 fastback with z32 n/a vlsd with j30 axles. Got aluminum bushings for the front.

First i unbolted the front 2 bolts. BTW i have jack underneath the diff just incase. Next i used plyer to grab the bolt collar and pulled down. Came out easy enough with the rubber wrapped around it. Cleaned off some of the rubber that was still stuck around the front diff mount. Now for the problem, I test fitted the bushings to see if they will fit and they wont. There is a lip on the diff mounting point where it is blocking the new bushing. I tried to hammer with a punch to see if it will budge and it didnt. So now im assuming its apart of the diff mount but i am not entirely sure. The bottom has a lip and when i felt above it, it was smooth. Not sure if i should machine the bushings in a lathe to make it fit in between.

Also i do not have enough clearance to slip the top bushing above so i am hoping i do not have to drop the whole diff. Anyone have any ideas of lowering the diff about 2inch enough to slip the top bushing on? I am thinking i might have to drop the whole diff which i think requires removing 4 bolts to the drive shaft the 2 front bolts which are already off, the 4 rear bolts, and the output shaft bolts?

Thanks. Car is current still on jackstands in a friends driveway and need to move it tommorrow.

[hassanbakar123]

you don't have to take the diff off to put the top bushings just loosen the back four bolts on the diff cover and pry it down a little and it should fit i did that way yesterday
i didn't have to mod anything it went right in
so?

[reccakun08]

yeah the back four are off. gave a bit more clearance but not enough. here ill post a pic of the bushings

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/reccakun08/differential%20stuff/IMG_0628b.jpg

[reccakun08]

Heres a pic of the metal lip i am talking about not allowing me to slip on the bushing.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/reccakun08/differential%20stuff/IMG_0619.jpg

[hassanbakar123]

it should go in with out a problem

what hard were are you using i used some off a j30 idk if theres a difference between the hardware on that and the z32

take a pic of the hardware?

[reccakun08]

First pic is the hardware the top and bottom bushing and the new longer bolt

[reccakun08]

From this pic it seems as though i can punch it out. but i am not sure.
The bushing fits nicely without the lip.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/reccakun08/differential%20stuff/IMG_0622.jpg

[hassanbakar123]

those don't look like the j30 ones
the bushings look BIG
are they the ones that came with the diff
go get some stock hardware and should go in easy

[reccakun08]

according to splparts http://splparts.com/main4/parts/S13/Suspension/Subframe/default.htm they fit many vlsd. i have z32 n/a VLSD.

they are aftermarket solid bushings

[hassanbakar123]

they prob will fit but your going to have to take the diff out(just a little bit)

[reccakun08]

its not probably. they dont fit because of the out metal lip.

[[email protected]]

its not probably. they dont fit because of the out metal lip.

The lip you see is the stock outer bushing shell/sleeve. Usually you remove it as one piece with the bushing, but I guess the bushing was old enough that it came apart. You will need to remove the sleeve, and to do that you have to take off the diff...

[reccakun08]

Boo. Easiest way to take off the diff? Also does the sleeve need to be pressed out?

The lip you see is the stock outer bushing shell/sleeve. Usually you remove it as one piece with the bushing, but I guess the bushing was old enough that it came apart. You will need to remove the sleeve, and to do that you have to take off the diff...

[[email protected]]

Boo. Easiest way to take off the diff? Also does the sleeve need to be pressed out?

Its not our fault that Nissan pressed the bushing in from the top :) You might be able to cut it out with the diff on the car, but that may take longer than removing the diff. The sleeve can be knocked out with a hammer and an appropriate driver (eg. socket of right diameter).

[reccakun08]

lol im lazy to drop the diff. im going to try beating it from underneath again. dont have much leverage but this time ill give it a good licking if not ill drop the diff.

thanks for the reply kuah.

[reccakun08]

Been busy havent had time to work on the car but dropped the diff today. Freaking sleeves are not coming out with a hammer/socket. Going to take it to a shop tommorrow to get it pressed out.

[[email protected]]

Been busy havent had time to work on the car but dropped the diff today. Freaking sleeves are not coming out with a hammer/socket. Going to take it to a shop tommorrow to get it pressed out.

You have to make sure to support the diff on the back side of where the bushing is coming out... otherwise the diff moves too much when you are hammering on it and the sleeve won't budge...

[reccakun08]

Kuah you are the man. Block of wood supporting the "ear" side. BFH 22mm impact socket to start it off and then a 19mm to finish it. I originally had them in the freezer but i pressed them in with a block of wood and a hammer on the topside. Bottom side slides in. Will install when i have time and its not so hot outside. Changed the fluid too with redline gear fluid 75w90.