Top Rear Diff Bush

[david beer]

So, if the rubber comes out easy(ish) what about finding a new bush that will fit inside the old sleeve left in place ? It will be slightly smaller, but only by the thinkness of the original sleeve.

[seasider]

Have been thinking along similar lines, but i was wondering if its possible to cut the outer off the new poly bush & insert it in the old sleeve in situ...

I think your idea sounds better. Have tried to speak with Jools today regards ordering some bushes but he was away playing with Cerbs...

[seasider]

Corin Denton said:

I've done this job on a ramp and it's a complete Bd!

Thats the feeling i'm getting... how did you get the bush out Corin?

>> Edited by seasider on Thursday 18th November 19:45

[barreti]

I've done the bushes on my LandRover and they sound the same construction of outer metal sleeve with inner bush.

I got them out in the same way being recommended here of drilling out the rubber then cutting the sleeve.

Mine were on the bench and still a complete git to get out. You wont do this in less than a day.

[Seasider]

Old bush out new Poly bush in.... Now for the front two

Diff still in situ !!!!

Will elaborate when the fronts are done & a test drive completed
just in case i'm being premature & the clonk wasn't the bush...

[ian8542]

It is impossible to remove the top diff bush without removing the diff.
I bet you have taken the fuel tank out and cut a large hole just behind the bush.

[Seasider]

Sorry Ian..... I but i "HAVE" replaced the knackered Top Rear Diff Bush with a nice blue Poly bush today without "removing the diff"....

Once the top bush mounting bracket bolts were removed it was possible to move the diff enough to drop said bracket & get a top secret bush puller on it....

Edited to add..

ian8542 said:

I bet you have taken the fuel tank out and cut a large hole just behind the bush.

I would rather have removed the diff than done this!!!

>> Edited by Seasider on Thursday 2nd December 19:15

[joospeed]

ian8542 said:

It is impossible to remove the top diff bush without removing the diff. I bet you have taken the fuel tank out and cut a large hole just behind the bush.

Ian .. it *is* possible to do just the rear bush with the diff in place .. it's very rare i do that, only for those people who are on a *very* tight budget .. i normally try to talk them into doing all three bushes in one go, then you know you'll never have to go back there again .. in which case diff out is defo the way to go.

[Seasider]

joospeed said:

Ian .. it *is* possible to do just the rear bush with the diff in place .. it's very rare i do that, only for those people who are on a *very* tight budget .. i normally try to talk them into doing all three bushes in one go, then you know you'll never have to go back there again .. in which case diff out is defo the way to go.

Hi Jools,
All the local mechanics & specialist i asked about doing the job said they might need to cut & shut the mounting area if they had problems removing the bush! I did not want this so took on the job myself.
If needed i would've removed the Diff as well.

Being short of time today i only did the rear bush, but as previously discussed i will replace the fronts as well (now sitting on the kitchen table)....

If i had removed the exhaust i see no reason for Diff removal to do the fronts as well...

Tight budget but between jobs at the moment (do you still need a mechanic/ex design engineer)

p.s. Open up in the south!!!
Thank you for all your help & not getting the hump with me having to source the bushes elsewhere, i bought the last rear poly they had! so get some in!!!!

p.p.s. Hugs & xxx to Vicky for being patient with me when trying to get the bushes...

[joospeed]

lol .. they'd be from Peninsula then? :hehe : .. I bought a load from them cos superflex are a little slow in delivering (not their fault, they're in australia after all!!) but left them with a few *in case they needed them* .. looks like you needed them more

[Seasider]

joospeed said:

lol .. they'd be from Peninsula then? :hehe : .. I bought a load from them cos superflex are a little slow in delivering (not their fault, they're in australia after all!!) but left them with a few *in case they needed them* .. looks like you needed them more

One Top Rear actually!!!!

Went out earlier the car has been transformed!!
Had the Clunk for a couple of weeks but i think the bush must've been on the way out for a while....

I should've added on the other post..... This is not an easy job, i have cuts/bruises & very sore back & am now going for a very well earned or 10......

[ian8542]

joospeed said:

ian8542 said: It is impossible to remove the top diff bush without removing the diff. I bet you have taken the fuel tank out and cut a large hole just behind the bush. Ian .. it *is* possible to do just the rear bush with the diff in place .. it's very rare i do that, only for those people who are on a *very* tight budget .. i normally try to talk them into doing all three bushes in one go, then you know you'll never have to go back there again .. in which case diff out is defo the way to go.

Wouldn't it take a similar amount of time to drop the diff and get easier access, regardless of not changing the other 2 bushes.

[Seasider]

ian8542 said:

Wouldn't it take a similar amount of time to drop the diff and get easier access, regardless of not changing the other 2 bushes.

Not really...
Rear Wheels off, four allen bolts(rear bush bracket) & Bush Bolt out, Jiggle diff & the mounting bracket will lower enough for access via the wheel arch with 3 long 1/2" drive extensions to a void bush tool.
A few turns on a Torque wrench or similar long bar & bush out &

I'm sure this was a much quicker & safer way for me than disconnecting drive shafts & prop then moving diff whilst on my back & by myself....

Yes i agree much better access with diff removed but not necessary & i think it was much quicker this way...


To do the fronts the exhaust needs to be dropped for access to mounting brackets which i will be doing shortly...

[ian8542]

I keep forgetting that i have the luxury of a 4 post lift.
Anyway for those interested in current TVR diff bush prices they are;
£13.46 each for GKN diff and £14.45 for the BTR diff.
About 30 minutes a side once the exhaust is off and you have good access.
A 10 ton press would be another advantage.

[Seasider]

ian8542 said:

I keep forgetting that i have the luxury of a 4 post lift.

ian8542 said:

About 30 minutes a side once the exhaust is off and you have good access.

Might take me a bit longer on my back i suppose...

ian8542 said:

A 10 ton press would be another advantage.

Will have to make do with my Bush Remover or a good


For info i paid £13.95 + Vat for the Rear Poly Bush & will be putting standard bushes in the front as i was worried about noise transfer if i replaced all three with poly..... Also i believe its the rear upper that has the harder life!!!!

Tks to all for the advice....

[Seasider]

Done the fronts today, the only problem was top nearside bolt on the mounting bracket didn't want to come off... Then even with a friends 10 ton press the bush didn't want to budge, so a cut out job....

Whilst the exhaust is off i will paint any rusty parts on the rear end..
Grease the Prop Shaft
Drained the gearbox oil (but looked ok) will replace tomorrow
Drained the Diff oil which was like dirty mud!!!! 12,000 mile service 6mths ago not happy.........


Anything i've forgoten while its in bits ? apart from having a word with the last service garage about the diff oil change...

& Tks again to all

[ian8542]

Seasider said:

Done the fronts today, the only problem was top nearside bolt on the mounting bracket didn't want to come off... Then even with a friends 10 ton press the bush didn't want to budge, so a cut out job.... Whilst the exhaust is off i will paint any rusty parts on the rear end.. Grease the Prop Shaft Drained the gearbox oil (but looked ok) will replace tomorrow Drained the Diff oil which was like dirty mud!!!! 12,000 mile service 6mths ago not happy......... Anything i've forgoten while its in bits ? apart from having a word with the last service garage about the diff oil change... & Tks again to all

You should have heated the bush housings up while under the press. They go with a resounding crack!

Too right about the dealer services. I've mentioned this before on other posts.
"What the customer can't see......" is their philosophy.

Change the fuel filter,and grease the prop.

>> Edited by ian8542 on Tuesday 7th December 21:58

[joospeed]

lol .. it might look like mud cos of what's in there .. the Millers oil I use is black to start with ...

[Seasider]

ian8542 said:

You should have heated the bush housings up while under the press. They go with a resounding crack! Too right about the dealer services. I've mentioned this before on other posts. "What the customer can't see......" is their philosophy. Change the fuel filter,and grease the prop.

The other two went like a 303 !!!

Hmmm...specialist actually, think i might be doing all from now on
fk the stamp just keep all the receipts...
(i know not all are bad )

Note to self :- get new fuel filter...

joospeed said:

lol .. it might look like mud cos of what's in there .. the Millers oil I use is black to start with ...

I know millers Joolz but this stuff needed something to dilute it so it would drain !!!


Tks again guys

[joospeed]

oo well don't forget it's an 80/140 weight oil, it's as thick as school custard anyway ... on a cold day you can bewatying for 15 miinutes for it to drain, I leave it draining and go and do something else and come back to it later ..