Installing Figs rear diff bushings... have some questions
04-12-19, 08:56 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Installing Figs rear diff bushings... have some questions
I'm finally getting around to installing Figs bushings on my diff. I bought the complete package with the pinion and rear bushings to make it an extra fun DIY project.
I assumed I had to drop the rear diff just as I've seen some SC guys do. Then I realized these axles don't have the typical bolts I'm used to simply disconnect the axles. They'd have to be pried out?
I used to build engines and some killer cars back in the days but I've become less motivated spending a whole day or weekend under the car. Do I need to drop the diff? Do axles need to come out? Looks like the rear exhaust section would also be good to get out of the way...
Anyone have some first hand experience with swapping these bushings out on the ISF? Figs has this DIY but its only for the front/pinion bushings: http://figsengineering.blogspot.com/...ff-pinion.html
Any advice is appreciated.
I assumed I had to drop the rear diff just as I've seen some SC guys do. Then I realized these axles don't have the typical bolts I'm used to simply disconnect the axles. They'd have to be pried out?
I used to build engines and some killer cars back in the days but I've become less motivated spending a whole day or weekend under the car. Do I need to drop the diff? Do axles need to come out? Looks like the rear exhaust section would also be good to get out of the way...
Anyone have some first hand experience with swapping these bushings out on the ISF? Figs has this DIY but its only for the front/pinion bushings: http://figsengineering.blogspot.com/...ff-pinion.html
Any advice is appreciated.
04-12-19, 10:48 PM
#2
I just did the figs bushings today...Yes you'll need to drop the diff especially to do the rear sub-frame bushings. It took me about 6 hours with an hour break, I was in no rush and I was working with the car on jack stands while on my back...
steps you'll need to do:
1) drop exhaust
2) disconnect driveshaft from diff and drain diff fluid
3) support the diff and unbolt the pinion and rear bushings
4) pop axles out with pry bar, they come free very easily with a couple quick pops with the pry bar
5) lower diff and continue to make quick pops with the pry bar until the axles are fully removed from the diff
6) now the fun part... remove the sub-frame bushings and pinion bushings, I used an air hammer and it was still time consuming
7) install new bushings, they will just slide in very easily no pressing involved
8) re-install diff and axles, once you get the diff raised up just give the axles a couple hits with a rubber mallet to re-seat them
9) add diff fluid and bolt everything back
10) have cold beer
I'll try to add some pictures for you tomorrow...
There are a couple diy threads on here also that I took inspiration from before doing mine, if you do a search you should find them.
steps you'll need to do:
1) drop exhaust
2) disconnect driveshaft from diff and drain diff fluid
3) support the diff and unbolt the pinion and rear bushings
4) pop axles out with pry bar, they come free very easily with a couple quick pops with the pry bar
5) lower diff and continue to make quick pops with the pry bar until the axles are fully removed from the diff
6) now the fun part... remove the sub-frame bushings and pinion bushings, I used an air hammer and it was still time consuming
7) install new bushings, they will just slide in very easily no pressing involved
8) re-install diff and axles, once you get the diff raised up just give the axles a couple hits with a rubber mallet to re-seat them
9) add diff fluid and bolt everything back
10) have cold beer
I'll try to add some pictures for you tomorrow...
There are a couple diy threads on here also that I took inspiration from before doing mine, if you do a search you should find them.
Last edited by mike33; 04-12-19 at 10:57 PM.
The following users liked this post:
lobuxracer (04-15-19)
04-13-19, 12:10 AM
#4
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
I just did the figs bushings today...Yes you'll need to drop the diff especially to do the rear sub-frame bushings. It took me about 6 hours with an hour break, I was in no rush and I was working with the car on jack stands while on my back...
steps you'll need to do:
1) drop exhaust
2) disconnect driveshaft from diff and drain diff fluid
3) support the diff and unbolt the pinion and rear bushings
4) pop axles out with pry bar, they come free very easily with a couple quick pops with the pry bar
5) lower diff and continue to make quick pops with the pry bar until the axles are fully removed from the diff
6) now the fun part... remove the sub-frame bushings and pinion bushings, I used an air hammer and it was still time consuming
7) install new bushings, they will just slide in very easily no pressing involved
8) re-install diff and axles, once you get the diff raised up just give the axles a couple hits with a rubber mallet to re-seat them
9) add diff fluid and bolt everything back
10) have cold beer
I'll try to add some pictures for you tomorrow...
There are a couple diy threads on here also that I took inspiration from before doing mine, if you do a search you should find them.
steps you'll need to do:
1) drop exhaust
2) disconnect driveshaft from diff and drain diff fluid
3) support the diff and unbolt the pinion and rear bushings
4) pop axles out with pry bar, they come free very easily with a couple quick pops with the pry bar
5) lower diff and continue to make quick pops with the pry bar until the axles are fully removed from the diff
6) now the fun part... remove the sub-frame bushings and pinion bushings, I used an air hammer and it was still time consuming
7) install new bushings, they will just slide in very easily no pressing involved
8) re-install diff and axles, once you get the diff raised up just give the axles a couple hits with a rubber mallet to re-seat them
9) add diff fluid and bolt everything back
10) have cold beer
I'll try to add some pictures for you tomorrow...
There are a couple diy threads on here also that I took inspiration from before doing mine, if you do a search you should find them.
04-15-19, 09:32 PM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
I just did the figs bushings today...Yes you'll need to drop the diff especially to do the rear sub-frame bushings. It took me about 6 hours with an hour break, I was in no rush and I was working with the car on jack stands while on my back...
steps you'll need to do:
1) drop exhaust
2) disconnect driveshaft from diff and drain diff fluid
3) support the diff and unbolt the pinion and rear bushings
4) pop axles out with pry bar, they come free very easily with a couple quick pops with the pry bar
5) lower diff and continue to make quick pops with the pry bar until the axles are fully removed from the diff
6) now the fun part... remove the sub-frame bushings and pinion bushings, I used an air hammer and it was still time consuming
7) install new bushings, they will just slide in very easily no pressing involved
8) re-install diff and axles, once you get the diff raised up just give the axles a couple hits with a rubber mallet to re-seat them
9) add diff fluid and bolt everything back
10) have cold beer
I'll try to add some pictures for you tomorrow...
There are a couple diy threads on here also that I took inspiration from before doing mine, if you do a search you should find them.
steps you'll need to do:
1) drop exhaust
2) disconnect driveshaft from diff and drain diff fluid
3) support the diff and unbolt the pinion and rear bushings
4) pop axles out with pry bar, they come free very easily with a couple quick pops with the pry bar
5) lower diff and continue to make quick pops with the pry bar until the axles are fully removed from the diff
6) now the fun part... remove the sub-frame bushings and pinion bushings, I used an air hammer and it was still time consuming
7) install new bushings, they will just slide in very easily no pressing involved
8) re-install diff and axles, once you get the diff raised up just give the axles a couple hits with a rubber mallet to re-seat them
9) add diff fluid and bolt everything back
10) have cold beer
I'll try to add some pictures for you tomorrow...
There are a couple diy threads on here also that I took inspiration from before doing mine, if you do a search you should find them.
04-16-19, 09:37 AM
#6
Moderator
This will need to be my next mod. I’m not super excited to do it. Still haven’t bought a house with a garage yet, so it’ll wait, unless I’m hopping all over the track now that I have more traction.
04-16-19, 10:42 AM
#8
Pole Position
04-16-19, 09:34 PM
#9
at this point diff is drained and unbolted being supported by floor jack, axle is starting to come free with slight to moderate pressure with a pry bar
view from further back
diff removed, axles supported with bungey cords
air hammer butchery on the sub frame bushing
old soft and cracked pinion bushing, also removed with air hammer
new FIGS pinion bushing installed
new FIGS sub frame bushings installed
Hope this helps give a little visual reference. Its really not that difficult, just time consuming working from jack stands... I think I could do the job in a couple hours less now that I've done it once.
Good luck
Last edited by mike33; 04-16-19 at 09:37 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by mike33:
Eurofreak (04-16-19),
RJMacReady (03-26-23)
04-16-19, 09:47 PM
#10
a weeks wage for doing 4-6 hrs work. Both places talked about dropping the sub frame which is not necessary, but that's what the ''book'' calls for.
Last edited by mike33; 05-24-19 at 05:29 PM.
The following users liked this post:
RJMacReady (03-26-23)
04-18-19, 10:15 PM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
Just knocked this job out. Took me 8 hours going at a very comfortable/slow pace. Hit some snags pulling out the old bushings as expected and removing/reinstalling the axles as there is only so much flex and room to work with. No noticeable increase in NVH.
EDIT: Just took the car on a 450 mile road trip. There is some subtle gear whine at 65-67mph and around 85-90mph. If I could go back in time, I'd pass on this mod.
EDIT: Just took the car on a 450 mile road trip. There is some subtle gear whine at 65-67mph and around 85-90mph. If I could go back in time, I'd pass on this mod.
Last edited by Eurofreak; 04-19-19 at 03:22 PM.
The following users liked this post:
Positron (02-22-22)