Diff bushes, 96 onwards. Much confusion

[Mattiegk]

Ok so i am after a set of Diff bushes for my 96 Chimaera .

Only problem is i called Racing Green and they tell me they are out of stock so i am looking online as i would really love these for the bank holiday weekend,

I have had conflicting information from products from ACT or other Powerflex suppliers.
https://www.actproducts.co.uk/product/pb05-tvr-lat...

some of the sellers list PFR79-110 as being unsuitable for cars made after 1995

i reached out to Powerflex and i am still a little confused.
I am guessing they mean to use 3x of the PFR79-112 but not entirely sure as i do not want to get the diff off in a friends workshop to find i have the wrong parts.

"https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/Griffith+-+Chimaera+%281991+-+2002%29-235/1.html

We list 2 diff bushes for this range. However, for the rear diff mounting front bush, PFR79-110 does not fit vehicles with the GKN differential or those made after 1995 I’m afraid.

However, the rear diff rear bush will be suitable. Please see the link below:

https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Rear+D... "

Power flex seem to be confused too as i thought the GKN Diffs were the pre 95 ones and BTR were the later ones.
as per Racing Greens description

"Polybush upgrade kit for the BTR differential fitted to all later cars. Griffith and Chimaera 1993 onwards and all other models to date"

Can anyone please clear this up for me lol

[TJC46]

It was a good few years ago now but i ordered all 3 diff bushes as PFR79-110. [just checked my old history file and found the receipt]

I stand to be corrected by others but the PFR79-112 is the same size but it is split to enable ease of fitting. I think that is the only difference.

I had the body completely off the chassis and even then it was a tat of a job to force the rear diff bush PFR79-110 in position.

Plenty of fairy liquid and a clamp if i remember correct.

If your doing this by just dropping the diff only then you will need the split bush.

Car is a 1996 serp engined T5 box and BTR diff

[Mattiegk]

TJC46]It was a good few years ago now but i ordered all 3 diff bushes as PFR79-110. [just checked my old history file and found the receipt said:

I stand to be corrected by others but the PFR79-112 is the same size but it is split to enable ease of fitting. I think that is the only difference.

I had the body completely off the chassis and even then it was a tat of a job to force the rear diff bush PFR79-110 in position.

Plenty of fairy liquid and a clamp if i remember correct.

If your doing this by just dropping the diff only then you will need the split bush.

Car is a 1996 serp engined T5 box and BTR diff

yea planning to do it on a ramp/over a pit, drop diff . are you saying i need to cut the old ones out from underneath once the diff is out?

[TJC46]

The two front diff bushes are in brackets which can be removed easily from the diff and from the point they bolt onto the chassis.

The rear diff bush, if poly and in two pieces can also be easily removed. If it is the old rubber/metal bush i imagine it will be a bit of a pig to get out due to limited access.

In this pic you can clearly see the rear diff bush, and just a bit of the front left one. The very reason the rear diff bush is in two pieces is because of this limited access.



Fitting your new bushes will be relatively easy, it's just removing that old back one that could become interesting.

Good luck and keep us posted

[jojackson4]

What diff have you?

Yes the top bush is interesting to remove
A die grinder is a good tool to have

[Mattiegk]

jojackson4 said:

What diff have you?

Yes the top bush is interesting to remove
A die grinder is a good tool to have

Straight one or more like a gun like the air ones? considering a cheap one. please elaborate what attachments you used :-)

[Mattiegk]

Also in regards to the Rear Bolt itself. i think the garage i spoke to said something about wielding somewhere in the diff removal at that point. But i cannot remember

[Zener]

Straight die grinder and drill your best friend, to remove rubber 6mm approx drill bit and constantly drill around and through from side to side close to outer sleeve as possible , push out now wrecked rubber insert then thin outer sleeve with a burr or hacksaw once done just push out leaving chassis eye undamaged

[Zener]

For centre rear bush removal straight air die grinder and drill (compact cordless easier) your best friend, to remove rubber 8/10mm approx drill bit and constantly drill around and through from side to side close to outer sleeve as possible , push out now wrecked rubber insert then thin outer sleeve with a narrow long shank tree shaped burr or hacksaw once the shell as thinned/ground through (see pic of sleeve) just push out leaving chassis eye undamaged clean bore and fit your polybush of choice (easy bit) split/halved style easy one piece stronger ........ Got this down to being a non crap/naff job now after doing a few with this method ................. Good Luck

Edited by Zener on Tuesday 26th April 10:47

[Badgerchim]

Hi. As suggested by Simon, I also found this to be the easiest way to remove the old bushes. The fronts were removed off the car on the bench the rear chassis mounted bush from under the car on axle stands. Not as bad a job as I was expecting.

[Mattiegk]

Badgerchim said:

Hi. As suggested by Simon, I also found this to be the easiest way to remove the old bushes. The fronts were removed off the car on the bench the rear chassis mounted bush from under the car on axle stands. Not as bad a job as I was expecting.

what size holesaw is that?
Thanks i was thinking holesaw. i have a few from work

[Badgerchim]

38mm from wickes

[Mattiegk]

Thanks for all the replies , i will be tackling this at the weekend along with engine mounts wish me luck. saving of about £500 and 6 week wait time . new diff bushes, diff service and engine mounts.

[Zener]

Engine mounts will be a relief to do in comparison

[Steve_D]

Buy a hole saw kit as it comes with an extension bar which you will need if doing the bush whilst the body is on. Without the bar it is very difficult to get the drill in close enough.

Steve

[Thundersports]

Cut a hole in the floor through the rear shelf.

[jojackson4]

I have a set of powerflex bushes if your struggling

[Mattchim]

Badgerchim said:

38mm from wickes

what did you use to thin out the rear bush metal ring?

[Badgerchim]

Hi. I used rotary burr bit tungsten carbide point die grinders in an electric drill. Bought a set off ebay. You can also use a hacksaw but found the rotary bits easier

[Zener]

1/4 extended shank small tree or ball headed burr is what your after