Front diff bushing orientation is it important?

[iliveinmylc]

I had pushed my front differential lower bushing 90% of the way in before my heart sank and I realized I forgot to align it.

I was told that the big gaps in the rubber needed to face the front of the truck. As you can see in my pic, that gap is not aligned with my markings.

Please, someone tell me I don't have to back that thing out again. The air chisel took the old one off pretty easily but mangled it completely in the process. Please just tell me I can push it in like this and that it won't affect anything?

 

[FxFormat]

I did mine last night, if you look at the bushing, the side with the wider opening has thicker rubber. This is probably meant to reduce forward and backward movement. Where as the skinny side the inside rubber is smaller. I’ve not had any experience with the orientation but you gotta drive it now and see how it is. I hope it’s okay, as the bushing is not reusable, once you remove it it’s all mangled

 

[bruceson]

any update to this? i just pressed mine in, but it was slightly clocked maybe 30deg off

 

[Malleus]

On paper it's important. On the truck, you'll have to run it and see how long it lasts. My guess: just as long as any other orientation.

 

[iliveinmylc]

No change to R to D and vice versa clunk. I dont think the orientation really matters all that much. This is over a year later.

Honestly, I've learned to live with it. Sometimes, shifting to neutral and waiting for the "disengage" helps with that thunk.

Greased and regreased driveshaft, those joints seem fine to me in terms of play. Switched out diff bushings, mounts, control arm bushings, CVs and drive flanges.

Nothing else to do for me. Maybe its the transmission or transfer case mounts, idk. Not worth chasing anymore for me in this truck.

Good luck with yours!!

 

[Malleus]

Did you grease the slip joint? That's the common sticking problem.

 

[Coin]

Transmissions mounts are easy to replace. Probably not the solution. I have done all your bushings etc along with transmission and engine mounts.

My clunk still shows up between oil changes. Grease the slip yoke real good and all is well for 5kish miles.