Ok, so I've got solid diff bushings coming from rx7.com, so tonight I figured I'd remove the bracket that holds the bushings. Seems simple enough...

Well, where I'm getting hung up is how to remove the 4 nuts that bolt the diff to the bracket up on top of the diff. Right now I've got the diff supported by a jack, and it's about as low as it can go. I was able to remove one of the nuts (driver side, rear), but the other 3 are being persistent.

My main issue is just flat out getting leverage on them so that I can apply enough torque to loosen them. I know this is possible without removing the diff, since I know of one member thus far that's done it. Any suggestions from the rx7 gurus?

Thanks guys!!

 

I think I figured it out by looking in the archive. According to this post => https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...=diff+bushings it appears that my diff is not low enough. That would explain not being able to access the top 4 nuts very easily.

Tomorrow I'll try lowering it down a bit more, at which point I should be able to get a bendable ratchet on them.

Thoughts?

 

Let the diff sit on the rubber stoppers on the frame.....then use an open ended wrench and a pry bar against the axles to get leverage on the nuts.

 

Thanks. I got the new bushings in last night, which went fairly smooth. The problem I'm running into now is getting the bolt through the diff bushing bracket on the passenger side. The god damned thing is literally off by 1/16", IF THAT, and I can't get it lined up to save my life.

I'm guessing I'll have to take a big pry bar and pry while another person puts the bolt through.

 

Got the job done tonight. I didn't really notice any difference in the feel of the shifter, or cabin noise for that matter...of course I did already have the banzai racing diff brace.

However, the one thing I did notice immediately is that 99% of my clutch chatter is COMPLETELY gone, even in reverse!! Very good mod...These are a must have!

 

Well I got it on the highway for the first time since doing the bushings, and there is a bit more cabin noise from them....It's mostly a whine that changes pitch with speed, which isn't too bad...

Got on it for the first time, and holy ****....it's hard to describe, but the rear end just FEELS so solid now. VERY happy with this mod!

 

I question if the whine is related to the new bushings or not... my diff started to whine and the next visit to the drag strip it exploded.

 

The whine is EVER so slightly noticeable. From every thread I've read regarding these bushings, cabin noise increases slightly.

I also changed the diff fluid this weekend just for good measure.

 

It seems plausible that the solid material could just make a noise or leak which already existed (more) noticeable.

 

Here's the way I see it...The old bushings were rubber, and were quite worn out. I was able to swing the diff with my bare hands, so I can only imagine how it was able to move with the power my motor pumps out.

Being that OEM bushings are rubber and have some give to them, that means that they will absorb and dampen vibrations to a certain extent. Now, with solid bushings in there that aren't able to give, those vibrations will no longer be absorbed, but will rather be transmitted throughout the vehicle.

 

Solid mounts really do feel nice. I noticed a higher vibration in upper rpms if I slowly reved higher and higher in the lower gears. Cruising normal I don't much notice it, and slamming the loud pedal has so many other noises that it's the least of my concern.

 

^ LOL! Agreed.

 

I recently installed some Pettit Racing urethane dif mounts, and call me crazy, but I am noticing no gear whine. Everybody says that with urethane dif mounts, it's normal to hear a little gear whine due to the stiffness of the mounts, but I dont hear anything like that. I also have new pillowballs (x6), superpro rear toe links and trailing arm bushings, and urethane noltec motor mounts with the Banzai Racing oil pan brace and I consider the car to still ride very nice. The only thing I noticed is that the rear end does feel more solid.

 

Would you say you noticed a bigger difference with the solid diff bushings or the Banzai diff brace? Might be hard to compare since you already had the diff brace installed...

 

It was a bit more difficult to notice on account of having the brace already installed, but you can tell that there's been some strength and rigidity added to the rear end.