Need to replace front diff carrier bushings...

[ascdesigns]

Hi all,

As the topics states, I need to install new carrier bushings for the front diff. Mine are shot, causing a vibration, clunking and CV binding if I hit a big enough bump or if I accelerate hard causing the front end to lift. I do have some OME HD (Old Man Emu) springs up front so there's an appx 1.5" lift.

If anyone has replaced just these before, can you help me out here? These are the "arms" or brackets that have bushings on each end (i.e. fore and aft) of the diff carrier, and mount to the diff using 4 bolts (2 top, 2 rear).

Specific questions:
- Do you have to remove the struts to access the four 17mm bolts that hold the carrier to the bushing arm/bracket?
- Do you have to unbolt the CV's from the diff carrier? (I would think not since the CV's can flex upwards quite a bit)
- Lastly, how much do you have to drop the front diff so that bushing arms/brackets came out easily?

Thanks in advance - I appreciate any input that would save me some time getting these darn things replaced!

- Al

[01silvapathy]

I have never heard of anybody having this issue, but the diff is not that difficult to remove. Just be sure you have a few friends around to help and a good jack. May as well change the fluid while you are under there too

[ascdesigns]

Thanks Andrew. It's not one of those things that are readily obvious since the bushings are buried up there. But bushings like most do get old and disintegrate. I noticed this when I was spinning my CV shaft on the passenger side and saw the end of the carrier moving around. There was another user here (Issac) who noticed that problem as well, but his IM was turned off so I couldn't send him a message. The fluids are all new, just replaced last month! And front U-Joints, ball joints, tie-rod ends.

- Al

[01silvapathy]

Well if you feel up to it make a how-to with pics , as im sure most trucks our age are getting around that age to start having these bushings going out. Good luck

[ltsnotme]

+1 for how-to with pics. just looked at mine and they're no good.

[ltsnotme]

Specific questions:
- Do you have to remove the struts to access the four 17mm bolts that hold the carrier to the bushing arm/bracket?
- Do you have to unbolt the CV's from the diff carrier? (I would think not since the CV's can flex upwards quite a bit)
- Lastly, how much do you have to drop the front diff so that bushing arms/brackets came out easily?

In case you still haven't done this, you don't need to unbolt the CV axles or remove the struts to access the carrier, as long as you have a u-joint extension and a good impact wrench. Just unbolt the carrier from the differential and from the frame (supporting the differential with a jack), then unbolt the lower control arm bracket, and lower the differential a couple of inches. This will give you enough room to wiggle the carrier out.