Differential Front Mount Bracket frustration
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Differential Front Mount Bracket frustration
Good afternoon. My 16 year old son and I picked up a project car last summer and have been slowly fixing items and working in it. It is a 78, that was sitting for 20 years. After some minor work, a carb rebuild and various other items, not to mention remvoing all the mouse stuffing and droppings throught the interiror of the car we have hit an obstacle I just cant get past.
We replaced the snubber bushing, as we were getting a loud clunk when shifting into gear, and found some threads on that being the potential issue. The new bushing is in, BUT I had ot remove the bolts that hold the bracket onto the rear differential. I have tightened the bushing bolt, and even got the rear bracket bolt in, but for the life of me, the middle bolt will not line up. It is currently too low, and needs to come up to align the holes, but cant figure out how to get it to come up. I thought maybe I needed to tighten the snubber bolt, but I cant get it any tighter and it still doesnt line up.
Any ideas on how to get the bracket to move up, or maybe rotate the differential down to get the bolts to line up? I am at work now, but can add pictures later today.
Thanks!
We replaced the snubber bushing, as we were getting a loud clunk when shifting into gear, and found some threads on that being the potential issue. The new bushing is in, BUT I had ot remove the bolts that hold the bracket onto the rear differential. I have tightened the bushing bolt, and even got the rear bracket bolt in, but for the life of me, the middle bolt will not line up. It is currently too low, and needs to come up to align the holes, but cant figure out how to get it to come up. I thought maybe I needed to tighten the snubber bolt, but I cant get it any tighter and it still doesnt line up.
Any ideas on how to get the bracket to move up, or maybe rotate the differential down to get the bolts to line up? I am at work now, but can add pictures later today.
Thanks!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,573
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
It's a pain to get everything lined up...that much I remember!
I think I reinstalled #7 & #8 bolts first.
Then I installed the snubber grommet using a pry bar to get enough clearance to tap the grommet in with a hammer (I think
) Make sure ti install the snubber parts according to the diagram, or the grommet will fail/rip apart.
Let us know if you succeed.
I think I reinstalled #7 & #8 bolts first.
Then I installed the snubber grommet using a pry bar to get enough clearance to tap the grommet in with a hammer (I think
) Make sure ti install the snubber parts according to the diagram, or the grommet will fail/rip apart.Let us know if you succeed.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 81
Likes: 55
I thought I had to take that bracket off to get the snubber changed, so took #7 out, but couldn't get #8 out. Went back to trying to get the snubber changed without removing the bracket and figured out a way. However, after getting the snubber changed, couldn't get #7 back in the hole. If I remember correctly, I put a jack under the front of the bracket and got it lined back up with it.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Bracket on the diff first, then large prybar underneath with a strap / chain around the nose of the bracket and out the rear, lift the bar and it'll pull the nose down enough to get the bushing in between. Watch your fingers
M
M
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Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks everyone, yup, sounds like i need to uninstall and reinstall, using bolt 7 and 8 FIRST, then struggle with the rest. *sigh* Due to his soccer schedule, looks like that will be in a couple of weeks.
Thanks again for the insight!
Thanks again for the insight!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Yes, install the two differential carrier bolts first. Make sure that you remove that # 8 bolt somehow. Even if you have to cut or grind it to get it out. It won't be any easier to remove a couple of years from now. ALWAYS put never-seize on any nuts and bolts to be able to remove them later on.I cheat on the snubber bushing install and put the nut on the top and the bolt from the bottom. Makes things a lot easier and no skinned knuckles. There really is hardly any room to put that bolt in from the top. Just be sure to use a lock washer under the nut and then the flat washer. Lou.