nengerer

Hey Subie Crew, I'm back after trying the inserts-only approach to worn rear differential bushings. By using the inserts in the old bushins, I have about a 95% reduction in the number of times I hear/feel the differential moving around. It now only moves in the most extreme cases - for example, backing out of a very steep incline and then accelerating hard. In short, if you don't have the resources to press the bushings out of the crossmember, just using the inserts is an easy way to make a big difference. Here are the 49191 Nolathane inserts I purchased: Here are the bushings, they are completely torn, allowing the diff to move up/down and forward/back with little to no resistance (wet from penetrating oil): They needed to be trimmed. They will have to be narrowed and shortened. How much will depend on your vehicle and the condition of your bushings: Here they are in place, be sure to tighten them down really well. After they break in a bit, go back and make sure they are snug: And as I said, an easy/cheap (<$50) way to make a big difference. Next project, replacing my leaky valve cover gasket! :cool:

I've got my rear diff clunking around on me during acceleration and after a brief inspection, I found my rear diff mounts in the crossmember look just like the ones at the beginning of this post. In devising a strategy, I'm going to have to say that I'm with cmill on this one. Google searches about replacing the whole bushings lead to some unsettling stories involving torches, presses and entire crossmember removal. So I'm going to try to just put inserts into the worn bushings and see if that fixes it. If I have no luck there, I'm going to try out that the urethane sealant CNY_Dave suggested. (That mention comes from here:http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1561530&highlight=whiteline+diff These are set to fit Outbacks 99-03: http://www.nolathane.com.au/product_detail.php?part_number=49191&sans_vehicle=1 And since those also fit the 08-11 WRX, then these Whiteline ones should also work: http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=KDT903&sans_vehicle=1 I'll be sure to report back on how it goes! Having worked on cars plenty, I know it will involve the following: