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Rear Differential Bushings?

25K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  Sandstone  
#1 ·
Hello! I am the one who posted this video of my Pat creaking last year:

The issue started again this spring after having my suspension lubed last year. I located the cause of the squeak. It was my rear lower control arms. Turns out the issue was my control arm bushings. I went on eBay and got two new rear lower control arms for $67. I contacted a mechanic that I found on Craigslist to see how much he would charge to install them. He took me the same day I contacted him! The shop is called TB Car Service in Randolph, MA and I dealt with Joshua. He completed the job in a little over an hour and recommended a few other parts that need to be replaced. He didn't try to up-sell me, was very nice, definitely knew his stuff and only charged me $140 to have them installed! Spending a little more than $200 to have control arms replaced is amazing! Other places I contacted quoted me $300.

Joshua did say that I need new rear differential bushings as he wiggled the differential which then caused the driveshaft to wiggle. Can anyone confirm that the picture where the silver part that is circled red is in fact the rear differential? The other two photo's are the parts he said to replace. What are those two round parts circled in red called? There's one on the left and one on the right. I just want to be sure I know what I need to buy! :)

Thank you and cheers!
 

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#2 ·
Joshua did say that I need new rear differential bushings as he wiggled the differential which then caused the driveshaft to wiggle. Can anyone confirm that the picture where the silver part that is circled red is in fact the rear differential? The other two photo's are the parts he said to replace. What are those two round parts circled in red called? There's one on the left and one on the right. I just want to be sure I know what I need to buy!
Yes, that's the rear differential.

The parts group you're needing is here:
https://www.moparpartsoverstock.com...mbly=1035820&ukey_make=1097&ukey_model=15959&modelYear=2012&ukey_category=22692

The bushings are items 2, 8, & 9 in the diagram below, but there are other parts that go along with them that may need replaced. You may want to print out a copy of the diagram and show it to your mechanic to make sure you're buying everything that's needed.

Image
 
#6 ·
Thank you, Sandstone! Apologies as my expertise (since having a rear end that sounded like the Titanic creaking and sinking) is in suspension, not the driveline lol. Do I need to buy two of #2 for both the right and left side of the Heep? If this were you, would you just buy 1-13? The parts that I need (2, 8 & 9) are the most expensive on the list, obvs. Since the other parts are relatively inexpensive, is it worth spending the extra money to buy everything? Thank you, as always!
 
#7 ·
If it were me, I'd try to narrow it down to which parts are truly bad. :)

The differential is supposed to be able to move a little, so without seeing it, it's hard for me to say what parts need replaced.

#8 and #9 are on the right and left sides, #2 is on the back of the diff so you only need one of them.