Carrier bushing redux

[nugget]

It sounds like you have a Rancho lift.I believe there cross member is different then the stock ones.One would think it would be an improvement over factory

Guilty on the Rancho lift! The cross member is different and pretty good but the bush was ordinary. The crush pin was too short which allowed the bolt to be over tightened resulting in the polyurethane breaking down. This a common fault with mechanics who are not familiar with the way polyurethane works and they over tighten it as if it were rubber.

That diff looks awesome

[AlisoH3]

Hmm, I could use one of these custom bolt-and-bushy-thingy assemblies. In 39000 miles I am now on my 3rd cross member and that's despite me not wheeling my truck THAT hard. (ask Seth )

For now everything is good (had the cross member replaced just about 2 weeks ago) but I expect things to get clunky again within a matter of months.

[Seth]

Hmm, I could use one of these custom bolt-and-bushy-thingy assemblies. In 39000 miles I am now on my 3rd cross member and that's despite me not wheeling my truck THAT hard. (ask Seth )

For now everything is good (had the cross member replaced just about 2 weeks ago) but I expect things to get clunky again within a matter of months.

Yes, I can. Nothing crazy and not excessively either. It's not like he wheels every weekend. I get out more than he has and have only had it replaced once. I wonder if the extra weight of the Alpha's V8 has anything to do with it?

[AlisoH3]

...extra weight and / or extra torque maybe?

[Mark]

The extra weight might very well have something to do with it but guessing that torque really doesn't due to the fact that when off road you shouldn't really get that much more if any torque out of the Alpha. I had it replace twice in three years on the '06 and once so far on the Alpha just over a month ago. I will be curious to see if the new design ends up helping or not. Suspect they did plenty of research before making the change so I am hoping this new design is a lot better.

[Seth]

The extra weight might very well have something to do with it but guessing that torque really doesn't due to the fact that when off road you shouldn't really get that much more if any torque out of the Alpha. I had it replace twice in three years on the '06 and once so far on the Alpha just over a month ago. I will be curious to see if the new design ends up helping or not. Suspect they did plenty of research before making the change so I am hoping this new design is a lot better.

I think if torque were a factor, it would be during normal street usage. Dealer tech told me this issue is not limited to those who off-road. He didn't think the bushings was any different in the new cross-member. This may be evidenced by AlisoH3's replacing two of th newer cross-members.

[nugget]

It may not be any consolation but even with the Rancho kit there is the same issue. I have gone through 2 Rancho bushes and have subsequently made my own. With the original Rancho bushes, the crush pin was too short. I have made mine with a longer crush pin and so far so good, but it is essentially the same problem from what I can see.

[Mark]

I think if torque were a factor, it would be during normal street usage. Dealer tech told me this issue is not limited to those who off-road. He didn't think the bushings was any different in the new cross-member. This may be evidenced by AlisoH3's replacing two of th newer cross-members.

I could very well have to do with torque then. My dealer hadn't had to replace any on rigs that were not wheeled but we will see. Wonder why they changed the cross-member if it were not to improve the bushing.

[4speedfunk]

What about the "other" bushings? You know...the ones on each end of the axle that bolt it to the frame? Those are the real culprits. They got WAY too much movement to em. In fact...I want to add a second bushing to each end of the axle. This would triangulate the end of the axle mounting to the frame, and help cut down on the flexing that occurs between the diff case and the end of the axle, (particularly on the drivers-side). Look closely at this video from 45 sec - 52 sec...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfJEmpi8mYg

That "pulsing" doesn't just stop at the inner CV joint...it gets transmitted all the way to the axle tube itself. The end of that axle tube is getting jerked back and forth and the stock rubber bushing allows it. The problem is...that the other end of that axle tube is rigidly bolted to the differential case. When this pulsing occurs...the tube itself becomes a lever, and its like a 24" breaker-bar that is prying back and forth on the side of the case. If you've got a alum case (most of us do)...you know the result. I think stiffening up the crossmember bushing is great, it helps to control the rotational movement of the front axle. But the outboard bushings need stiffened (or another one added) to control the "pry bar effect" on the side of the pumpkin. I think we all might be surprised by the AAM 7.6 if we could stop things from flopping around under there!

Nugget...I saw you made your own outboard bushings. Are you taking orders?

[AlisoH3]

sorry for the stupid question but:

Is this all I need to call and order? Energy suspension bushing kit 3.2141G

Oh, and, what is a crush pin????

[PhilD]

Nugget...I saw you made your own outboard bushings. Are you taking orders?

A complete kit with bushings, crush pins, washers, nut & bolt will be available in a few weeks.

[Mark]

A complete kit with bushings, crush pins, washers, nut & bolt will be available in a few weeks.

VERY COOL!!

[Seth]

A complete kit with bushings, crush pins, washers, nut & bolt will be available in a few weeks.

VERY COOL!!

Awesome! I know it will be a big hit.

[f5fstop]

Damn, I feel left out. Never replaced one in the 06, and checked my 08 a few months ago, and it looked ok. I must drive like an old lady or something.....

[The Other Rob]

I "think" I tend to beat the living daylights outta mine, but when I looked at it a few weeks ago when the front diff was out and apart, it was still looking more or less OK.. Could tell it had a few years of age to it, but the rubber was all still there and not cracked all up and the sleeve still felt solid..

As soon as that kit which Phil speaks of is available, I'll prolly go on and get it to have on hand when it does decide to give up the ghost.. Of course with my luck the ends of the cross member will go before the little rubber thing.