Rebushing an XJR rear axle

[S6 Devil]

I have had a noise for some time from the nearside rear of my 1998 XJR. My mechanic has discovered that the rear axle needs the 4 large bushes replacing. He has tried to do it in situ but the main long bolt won't shift. He has advised that the axle will need to be dropped to be able to put heat on this bolt in order to remove it.

He estimates the worst case scenario cost for the job is £500. The car is a keeper but OMG

Sounds a lot of money to fit 4 bushes. I could live with it but know this will sort the noise and it does need doing. What would you do?

[AceOfHearts]

Can you not get a friendly PHer to help and do the work yourself? I will be doing the rear bushes on my XJR soon (occassional knock from back end) and intend to do it myself on the drive. Lovely Tuscan you have btw

[Output Flange]

For no more than £500 I'd save yourself the bother and get it done, particularly if it is a keeper.

Otherwise it'll only get worse...

[Straight6DOHC]

I've done work on x300 rear suspension/diff etc. The x308 is essentially the same. It depends on what bushes it is. Do you know? Some are easy but others are a nightmare. If it's the bolts that go through the diff and onto a 4 bushed frame, well that would be expensive. I didn't really think those were problematic though.
I suspect A frame bushes and lower shock bushes. Done them.

[S6 Devil]

Straight6DOHC said:

I've done work on x300 rear suspension/diff etc. The x308 is essentially the same. It depends on what bushes it is. Do you know? Some are easy but others are a nightmare. If it's the bolts that go through the diff and onto a 4 bushed frame, well that would be expensive. I didn't really think those were problematic though.
I suspect A frame bushes and lower shock bushes. Done them.

My mechanic advised that there is movement where the bolts go through the diff and onto the 4 bushed diff carrier frame. He tried to get one of the bolts out in situ but couldn't undo it, hence the need to drop the axle to apply some heat. Even if he managed to undo it, the bolt is so long it wouldn't come out without dropping the axle.

What is puzzling me is that the noise from the rear, was there when I bought the car. It occurs when going over potholes or bumpy road. When the diff broke, I bought a second hand axle. The mechanic didn't just fit the differential, he fitted the whole second hand axle. This did not get rid of the noise. I am therefore wondering if in fact, the noise is being caused by the 4 axle bushes at all.

My mechanic is going to have the car in and take a look at the rear suspension to see what else could be causing the problem. If the worst comes to the worst he will drop the axle and do the 4 bushes on the frame. Other possibilities are:

1. A frame bushes
2. Shock absorber top/bottom bush
3. Roll bar bushes (Done)
4. Rear suspension mounting.
5. The two biggies that mount the lower frame to the chassis at the front, behind the rear jacking points.

[AceOfHearts]

I spent some time looking for the source of my knock this week and found this (rear shock bush). Dead easy to check with the back of the car jacked up and was the only one that was noticably damaged.

[S6 Devil]

Just spoken to the second garage that I have asked to try to change the diff carrier bushes. It transpires that they are completely seized and the two long bolts will not budge. It seems that the axle is going to need to be dropped and completely overhauled.

He estimates 2 days work (16 hours at £40 p/h) plus parts i.e bushes, long bolts and whatever else needs doing. He has advised that it is not unsafe to drive but will be an MOT fail at the next MOT. He MOT'd it 2 months ago and didn't spot the problem although another mechanic had and had tried to remove the bolts in situ. Estimated cost £1000 all in.

Would it be more cost effective to try to source a second hand diff and carrier and rebush these and then refit?

Any thoughts/ideas?