Last minute front diff bushing help needed

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

winestonecowboy

winestonecowboy

Joined
Dec 20, 2022
Threads
14
Messages
70
Location
Georgia
How did you all get this bushing out of the front diff cover? Everyone seems to have got it done pretty straightforward but I have been chiseling at it for 4 hours no to no avail. The lip is up all around and I can see a gap between it and the diff cover but it’s not moving at all. No clue what to do. This was supposed to be a one day job - I need to drive the truck home for Christmas tomorrow.

IMG_1962.webp
 
Just don’t quit. Sounds like you’re up against it, so just keep slugging. It sucks, but you’ll get it.

Bonus… Christmas biceps!
 
Unfortunately going to have to call it. It’s too late to continue chiseling in the street in my neighborhood, and the continued chiseling past this point isn’t doing anything to loosen the bushing. There is nothing I can do with my current hand tools to loosen it.

Would not recommend this job without an air hammer.
 
Smoked is an understatement for how I feel right now. Will revisit after the holidays. Wondering if I should buy a bigger hammer or just bring it to a shop
 
Walking away and coming back later does wonders. I have no doubt you will get it out if you tried again. Probably in just a few whacks.

If you don’t have one, a little 5lb sledge is handy for this type of thing.
 
winestonecowboy said:
How did you all get this bushing out of the front diff cover? Everyone seems to have got it done pretty straightforward but I have been chiseling at it for 4 hours no to no avail. The lip is up all around and I can see a gap between it and the diff cover but it’s not moving at all. No clue what to do. This was supposed to be a one day job - I need to drive the truck home for Christmas tomorrow.

View attachment 4054127
Click to expand...
Sorry to see it’s giving you such a headache. Mine came out in 15 min of chiseling. I feel for you.
 
I did this just last week, spray some pb blaster inside there to help and keep chiseling. I also cut slits in the metal sleeve to allow it to bend in more. Heat also helps. I did it with a little chisel and a 2lb hammer.
 
This is a rite of passage for sure. I used a cold chisel and a dead blow mallet. Sacrifice a Nissan Patrol or a Defender on the altar of TEQ and it should pop right out.
 
I have the same experience when i did mine. hammered on it forever with hand tools .... finally got an air hammer ( a dirt cheap one from Harbor Freight) and it was out in less than 1 minute. the right tool makes all the difference
 
Update: I bought a bigger hammer

IMG_2031.webp

Found a compact 3lb hammer and a set of bigger cold chisels on Amazon and made quick work of it all. This is one of those jobs that would be doable in less than an hour if one had a lift and an air hammer, but is certainly possible on the side of the road or the driveway if you bring a big enough stick. Start big, unlike me.

RE the rest of the job - the bushings, especially this front one, were in terrible shape. Front one was so bad the the middle rubber part basically fell out after removing the bolt/washer. Ride and acceleration is infinitely better now, and clunk has almost entirely been mitigated.
 
winestonecowboy said:
Update: I bought a bigger hammer

View attachment 4057216
Found a compact 3lb hammer and a set of bigger cold chisels on Amazon and made quick work of it all. This is one of those jobs that would be doable in less than an hour if one had a lift and an air hammer, but is certainly possible on the side of the road or the driveway if you bring a big enough stick. Start big, unlike me.

RE the rest of the job - the bushings, especially this front one, were in terrible shape. Front one was so bad the the middle rubber part basically fell out after removing the bolt/washer. Ride and acceleration is infinitely better now, and clunk has almost entirely been mitigated.
Click to expand...
Link to the tools you purchased so future bushing smashers will have the upper hand?
 
ScotyDosentKnow said:
Link to the tools you purchased so future bushing smashers will have the upper hand?
Click to expand...
Of course:
Hammer
Chisels

Recommend both. Affordable and got the job done quick. Adding to the ever growing tool collection. I would reccomend starting with a smaller hammer to get the lip of the bushing free so you don't absolutely annihilate the surface on the diff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom