DTE Diff Brace.. How hard is install?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I put mine on when I had the diff out of my car. It was easy that way. You will have some close quarters to deal with while the diff is in but it shouldn't be too difficult but it will probably be time consuming due to the close quarters.
You can see pics here .
You can see pics here .
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 8
From: Hayward California
Originally Posted by Cajundude
I put mine on when I had the diff out of my car. It was easy that way. You will have some close quarters to deal with while the diff is in but it shouldn't be too difficult but it will probably be time consuming due to the close quarters.
You can see pics here .
You can see pics here .
Dude.. That is a helluva write up!!!
Do you think it's worth getting the rear crossmember off?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 13,550
Likes: 6
From: Now in God's Country, the Big Sky, Montana!
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by magdc5
Dude.. That is a helluva write up!!!
Do you think it's worth getting the rear crossmember off?
Do you think it's worth getting the rear crossmember off?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
It is MUCH MUCH quicker to install with the rear subframe off because you can lower the differential away from the top of the car. It is very time consuming to adjust the top jam nuts that are on top of the differential with everything together. I've installed the brace both ways with the subframe off and on the car. I hope I don't have to deal with it for a long time.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: the West is the best
I concur. The DTE brace is easiest installed with the tranny dropped. You would have to have some d@yam long (and skinny) fingers to install with the tranny in the car. I have a fear of working bolts into aluminum that I can't see what I am doing well or have room to at least to begin to thread the bolt with my hands. As we all now it is so easy to cross thread aluminum and I would not want to risk cutting corners with the labor involved after a miscue. There is some tedious work setting the brace up properly that I would not want to take on without at least dropping the subframe and the lowering the tranny. I will say that DTE brace is well designed and has near perfect fitment attributes.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
From: Forest Hill MD
Originally Posted by 2ndVette
I concur. The DTE brace is easiest installed with the tranny dropped. You would have to have some d@yam long (and skinny) fingers to install with the tranny in the car. I have a fear of working bolts into aluminum that I can't see what I am doing well or have room to at least to begin to thread the bolt with my hands. As we all now it is so easy to cross thread aluminum and I would not want to risk cutting corners with the labor involved after a miscue. There is some tedious work setting the brace up properly that I would not want to take on without at least dropping the subframe and the lowering the tranny. I will say that DTE brace is well designed and has near perfect fitment attributes.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 1
From: Pensacola FL
I agree. It was a b;tch! It was easier to do a cam swap than install that brace. I'd drop the rear cradle next time for sure. That's a lot easier & faster than fighting that brace. My hands are still healing, also. 
Scott
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,811
Likes: 31
From: Minnetonka MN
St. Jude Donor '06
yes, i need one of those desperately... previous owner broke output shaft b/c there was too much tq from motor. the twisting motion of components broke the shaft..that DTE brace would keep it all nice and firm...
for a tad under 400, its a great buy! figure about 600 to install if i give it to a professional...
Aj
for a tad under 400, its a great buy! figure about 600 to install if i give it to a professional...
Aj
2001, brace, c5, c6, corvette, diff, differential, differiatial, difficult, dte, install, instructions, instulation, rpm, z06, zo6
