Replacing Subaru Rear Diff Bushings - The Right Way

[@garrettl7690]

i have been procrastinating this replacement for a while now cause i could tell it was gonna suck, and yup this confirms maximum suck…gonna be a real fun weekend coming up here…thanks for the tips and overview

[@11fulstrum]

Garrett, my same thoughts when I was putting this off for a long time. I can't remember if in this video I mentioned why I finally got to it. I already had the trans out and associated components, so it just seemed like the ideal time. I would suggest if it's your first go at this type of bushing, budget about 4 hrs minimum to get it done. And try your best to keep the new bushings in the UP position when installing.

[@steveezee325]

Dude thanks for your video. You're the best and followed it and done in 2 hours!!

[@dyske-]

Thank you for posting this. I finally got to replace the bushings, and your video helped a lot. I ended up cutting the old bushings with a hacksaw as you did. Installing the new ones was harder than I expected! I put the new bushings in the freezer and put assembly lube on the frame side hole walls. I think it helped, but it was a b!tch!!! Thanks again! P.S. It looked like the bushing had forward and rear side (on the old bushings, the inner bushing sticks out a bit more on the front side which mates with the rear differential).

[@ferenctulics9688]

Great video, straight to the point! Great tips in few words, not useless talking on camera. Thank you!! 🙏

[@11fulstrum]

Ferenc, thanks for the compliment. Im not much of a "useless" talker in life or my videos, aside from the small promotions i freely give to DeWalt for their fantastic tool line up. I like to try and keep it short and to the point as best i can.

[@ryderkrassner4705]

Dude bless you. God damn. Not sure why it's so hard for people to do a clear straightforward walk though like this. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MattJonesYT]

Since the bushing gaps are exposed is it possible to just inject 3M Window Weld in there to firm them up without having to replace?

[@deanbryan3034]

Good job man, as an option for bolts you can get all thread, which as the name suggests is just thread no bolt head so then 2 nuts and you have a bolt any length you need.

[@SatanBrain13]

Bruh, I hope the autozone sponsor check for product placement arrives in the mail soon. Thanks for showing us the tools and not show us actual repair happening in progress, so sick of dudes showing offf how to actually replace a part step by step, wasting my time showing me how to remove and install a new part bolt by bolt, most do not even talk about their tools like you just did, only complaint, should have made this video longer!!!😂

[@THOMASDRELICH]

Which way do they get pressed out and in. Back to front meaning the side with the nuts? Or front to back from diff side? Or does it not Matter ? Is The bore tapered?

[@SatanBrain13]

Dude ya just Schwiooosh em In like he said! Do not worry about those minor details, just make em fit!! SCHWIOOOOOSHICK that thang ‘nn

[@tristansweeney9832]

Nice video man, keep up the good work.

[@11fulstrum]

I appreciate the good words. I've been wanting to make videos of my complete outback XT tear down I'm doing, I just don't have the time to make a good video and get the work done

[@stg2lgcy00]

Happen to have a specific name or part number for the bushings? I need to replaced these on my 2004 Forester.

[@11fulstrum]

The part is called (Differential Carrier Bushing), and i cant seem to find the right part number for this for OEM.

[@stg2lgcy00]

@@11fulstrum Thanks for responding. No worries! i ended up buying some inserts for the carrier bushings from whiteline. so far so good! Decided to go that route vs replacing them.

[@11fulstrum]

@@stg2lgcy00 that's actually the exact route I was looking at before I started this repair, what changed my mind was the stiffness difference. The oem rubber is going to be the best if you want to go off road in this, but the white line are a solid move for street driving.

[@99neonfreak]

Thank you not alot of information on this such appreciated

[@ironman1518.]

I a m guessing the muffler isn't in your way? On my 2013 Crosstrek the muffler is VERY close to the rear cross member where the bushings go in.

[@11fulstrum]

If I remember correctly, yes, the muffler is in the way on this outback too. In my case, I already had all the exhaust off. However, the first time I tried to do this about two years prior to this video with the exhaust on, it was not successful.

[@ironman1518.]

Thanks for clarifying this for me!!

[@patrickskickasschannel6435]

This helped a lot ! Thank you. Also being real and helpful is so nice !

[@11fulstrum]

Glad it helped!

[@jjjohn5914]

Just wondering...why do the bushings need replacement?

[@11fulstrum]

@jjjohn5914 the bushings get replaced when they get worn out because these back bushings are used to insulate the vibrations from the change in direction of torque from the drive shaft, into the differential, and then out the axles. When they get worn out, they can cause "clunking" in the rear end especially when accelerating.

[@peterrolfe528]

Good vid man, I've got to have my bushes replaced them and a few control arm bushes need replacing I've been quoted $1480 is that a reasonable price or do u recommend trying somewhere else it's a pink slip place he says he ain't done it before and a mechanic saying that is normally away they can add undone labour time being a single father with 2 sons plus having to pay for rego and greenslip as well I'm freaking out and can't afford to be over charged or ripped off because of the kids I worry I need to feed them aswell uno what I mean. Pm me please bro if u want. Thanks bro appreciate and help

[@garyainslie8200]

This may be a silly question, but why didn't you use the press/pull kit to pull the bushes out as well? I have a more extensive kit I was going to use, but now I wonder if that won't work for some reason. Thanks 👍

[@11fulstrum]

I had hoped i would be able to pull them out too, but there is really limited access to get them pulled out around the craddle, the diff, and axles, unless you remove axles and diff, and loosen the craddle to drop it down lower than the spare wheel bump down from the cargo area. Thats what it would have taken with the kit i had.

[@Local.Floresters13]

Thank you ! You sound like Joe Rogan no offense! haha great video man

[@11fulstrum]

Andrew, no offense taken and thanks for the compliment. Its not the first time ive heard that before, and its more prominent in the winter months for me, i guess something to do with my Asthma and breathing colder air. Either way, im glad you enjoyed the video and hope it made your life easier not having to guess and check like i did to figure this out.

[@Spoonfork1]

You really don't need to cut the bushings steel ring and that tool you rented from the autoshop is the wrong tool for the job. The fact that you then had to go buy extra bolts and nuts to make it work says it all. A proper Bushing Puller kit comes with several sized long threaded rods (i.e. M10, M12, M14, M16) with no head. Each rod will have a pair of specialized long Nuts which have built in Bearings and a many different diameter sleeves and Sleeve Caps. You put the nuts at each end of the threaded rod and use what ever sleeve and cap size you need to pull the bushing. The nuts have a lot more grip because of their length and the built in bearings reduce the friction from the huge turning force you need to apply to pull the bushing out. They Sleeve Caps have a recess in them which allow the nut locate into it correctly and ensure everything is straight, so you don't end up pulling the bushing off kilter. What you do is push the center of the old torn bushing out (You may need to cut the rubber away if it's not completely torn). Then line up the new bushing with it the old. The center part of the new bushing which sticks out sits inside the hole left from pushing the old bushing's center out. Use a slightly wider sleeve from the bushing sleeve pulling kit (say 62mm), along with it's Sleeve cap on the other side of the frame. Then place another cap on the new bushings flat side and run the threaded rod through. Put a the long nut at either end of the rod and pull away. So what you are doing is pulling the new bushing in and bushing the old one out in one single step. You don't need to waste your time stuffing around with a Sawzall. My 28 Piece Bushing/Bearing push Pull Sleeve kit cost $60USD and was worth every penny. Paid it self off with this one job and I use it for a tone of other jobs. The tough part of this job was turning the wrench on the puller kit. It was exhausting as you don't have a lot of room. I needed a fairly long breaker bar (750mm) to break the 17mm Bolt loose for the Diff cross member. No power tools or air tools needed for this job. You can do it all with hand tools.

[@11fulstrum]

Spoonfork. You are 100% correct on all accounts, minus one thing. The auto stores near me did not have the rent tool for bushing pulling, and as for buying a kit for only $60, I would completely agree aside from on this project I was already a fist of knuckles deep into the work before I realized how much harder this would be, and couldn't get one local (that wasn't sized for full size pick ups). All I can say is I learned from this one, and as soon as something like this comes up again, I'll be the proud owner of an extensive bushing removal kit beforehand.

[@Spoonfork1]

Where I'm from autostores don't rent tools out. So I had to buy mine from eBay. I ordered both the bushings and puller at the same time, as The local autostores didn't have either in stock. Got both in 5 days. We're not as fortunate as you guys in north America with your huge market. So you usually have to plan ahead.

[@barry5687]

I'ts a ball joint prress

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

I hate that kit. I feel like it's so useful. But it does come with any instructions stating specific applications where it should be used. So I just use it when I can mickey mouse it. that kit needs more adapters. be so much more useful if it had more adapters. Maybe it does have more adapters and I just don't have them. lol

[@santaclause0015]

What model is that Subaru?

[@11fulstrum]

2004 Subaru legacy outback base model. 2.5L non turbo motor.

[@hermespurugganan7206]

You should’ve video how you did it using all the tools instead of talking about it. Not very helpful at all!

[@11fulstrum]

Next time

[@EDDIEGARAGE]

one hand recording bad technique you can show all that in a bench and the camera set in a tripod

[@11fulstrum]

Edward, i 100% agree and is the direction im moving towards as i gain the funds and time to continue building out my new garage space, with a future plan of a small two post lift for this kind of work.

[@11fulstrum]

Edward, I actually was reading this comment and thought it was funny. I just bought myself a nice tripod, mic, and light set up for doing these videos. Hopefully higher quality to come in the future.