Slack in drive train

[Alan W]

My car is a 2.8 auto with only 60k mls. Every so often l feel/hear a sensation which is difficult to describe but to me it feels like there is a little bit of slack in the drivetrain. Def wasn't there when l got car 3 years ago but l'm thinking universal joint on the prop.. gearbox or engine mounting.. that funny rubber thing that l cant pronounce.. a drive shaft coupling.. clearly a process of elimination but trouble is l dont know where to start? Whats thd usual suspects for this?

 

[5harp3y]

Guibo (rubber doughnut thing)

i need to get mine done too

 

[Lee]

Often this is more the backlash in the diff. I've never seen a trashed Guibo in the years I've pull zeds apart. The guido wouldn't make a clunk sound if it had gone theres too much rubber round its construction. This is if your hearing a clunk.

 

[t-tony]

Has your Diff. Eye bush been done yet Alan?

Tony.

 

[Alan W]

Nothings been done Tony.. all original.. whats a diff eye, is that the mount that comes off the back of the casing?

 

[t-tony]

Yes it is Alan, and I would start there changing it for a "Poly" bush. It's a fairly simple job and doesn't need any special tools. You need to jack up under the diff. using a wooden block to protect the casing and put stands under the jacking points on the sills. When you remove the "through" bolt from the mounting and lower the Jack the mounting will drop from between the steel lugs on the body.

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Yes it is Alan, and I would start there changing it for a "Poly" bush. It's a fairly simple job and doesn't need any special tools. You need to jack up under the diff. using a wooden block to protect the casing and put stands under the jacking points on the sills. When you remove the "through" bolt from the mounting and lower the Jack the mounting will drop from between the steel lugs on the body.

Tony.

Then what Tony

 

[t-tony]

Sorry, Doctors rang at that moment and I must've hit post. You will need to rip out the centre of the old bush with a lever of some sort. To get the old steel shell out I found it easiest to split it with a hacksaw then tap it out with a drift and a hammer. The new poly bush is easily assembled as per the instructions which usually come with them. With it assembled you simply Jack the diff. back up until you can insert the original through bolt and nut.
Thanks @Lee

Tony.

 

[Alan W]

Im not keen on using poly bushes anywhere on the car.. how easy is it to replace with an OEM one.. has to be pressed in l'm guessing?

 

[Lee]

Yeah the OEM bushe needs pressing in and the diff cover removed.

 

[Alan W]

Have you done it this way Lee ie taken diff cover off? Im wondering if l will need to replace gasket if l do that?

 

[Lee]

Yeah I have done my first one like that. Luckily the gasket was ok. They're only a few quid.

 

[Alan W]

Thanks Lee.. can this be done without removing the diff cover as part of the zedshed rear beam bush overhaul?

 

[Lee]

Thanks Lee.. can this be done without removing the diff cover as part of the zedshed rear beam bush overhaul?

You could but it will be difficult and require the diff to be removed. OR you can just drop that cover plate and service the diff while your at it. Couple of hours work at best.

 

[mrscalex]

Im not keen on using poly bushes anywhere on the car.. how easy is it to replace with an OEM one.. has to be pressed in l'm guessing?

Correct me if I'm wrong @Lee but you recommend the poly bushes for ease of installation rather than an upgrade that's going to make the car firmer?

 

[Lee]

Correct me if I'm wrong @Lee but you recommend the poly bushes for ease of installation rather than an upgrade that's going to make the car firmer?

Yeah I would go with that, It's far easier to install and can be done easily on a driveway. If you do this poly bush on the beam and this diff bush together its a noticeable upgrade.