Nolathane Diff Bushes - Driveline Issues

[NicBF2XR6T]

G'day Guys,

I'm a long time reader of this site, first time poster.

I've got a BF2 XR6T (you may have guessed by the name) and I really need some advice on this one.

I've had the car for just over a year and rack up approx 500-600 highway kays per week for work. Currently I'm sitting on 100,000kms.

The car has been perfect and I love it. Its very quiet, cruises effortlessly at 110 and just does everything right.

Recently I've noticed some pretty harsh suspension clunks through the rear suspension over even relatively small bumps (and even at really low speed). My mechanic is a top bloke and has never steered me wrong or over charged over 3 years and a heap of cars. He gave me a heads up on the diff bushes requiring replacement at my last service and to expect rear end harshness to increase. So when noise became more noticeable, and it started to tramp harshly under traction loss I knew what it was.

So, down to my mechanic to get a service (every 7,500) and to get the diff bushes sorted out. I'm looking to use Autotech relatively soon for a power upgrade, I'm chasing approx 330ish rwkw (from what I can see this will be a stage 2 kit) so I chatted with my mechanic and he advised if I am upping the power, don't go factory bushes. I agree as I pulled the warranty claims prior to purchase and they've been replaced once under warranty before within the last 3 years.

The new Nolathane bushes are in the car and I went with the heavy duty versions.

Here is the issue: The car now sounds like a taxi. It's not quiet, there is a heap of driveline noise. This ranges from a slight whine at up to 60km/h to far louder and persistent whines at 110. I've been back to my mechanic and taken him in the car. He agrees its very noticeable and loud. We did some tests on the freeway such as maintaing 110 while swerving the car left and right and the noise does not favor one side or the other. Even if I knock it into neutral the noise remains...

My mechanic has offered to replace with new factory items at no charge which I am not comfortable with as it was my decision to put them into the car, I want to run more power and I'm not really keen to fork out again for the labour again in the next 3 years to replace the factory items again.

Has anyone had this issue? Is there anything I can do to minimise the driveline noises that are now transmitted into the car? I'm not joking when I say this thing has gone from near silent to a f*cking taxi and I'm tearing my hair out here.

Sorry for the long post, but if anyone has any advice please let me know, it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Nic.

[JGP]

not sure if this helps, but I got superpro comfort rear diff bushes for my territory and did notice more whine. Doesnt bother me really/not that bad as to want to tear my hair out...

[Shyfrd]

Yep as above..I'd recommend super pro and as long as they're installed correctly according to the instructions you shouldn't have problems or huge noise. Unfortunate for this to happen to you, although your mechanic has come to the party and offered you a good deal free of charge!

[bjc]

I had the nolathane diff bush fitted from repco as well as the two front lower control arm bushes and my god are they fcking noisey. The car is clunky as all hell now, it just plain sucks balls!

Forgot to mention that I had the whiteline brand of diff bush fitted to the front of my F6X and they are great. I will be sticking with Whiteline from now on...

Edited 11/07/12 04:29 PM by bjc

[SuckSqueezeBangBlow]

I put dynamat (well, Jaycar equivalent) in my spare wheel wheel, above the diff and rear strut towers (?), and then covered with foam acoustic carpet underlay.

this "absorbed" a heap of freeway noise.

Bear in mind, I still have the stock bushes, but this might be worth a try first to see if it makes it a little more bearable.

[sexual harrassment panda]

"The new Nolathane bushes are in the car and I went with the heavy duty versions"

there's your problem, stiffer bushes transmit more NVH, softer bushes dampen it. You basically put track bushes into a road car.

[Ralph Wiggum]

You can't have your cake and eat it to. Nolathane have a rep for being noisy. Incorrect install can cause a further increase in noise. If your mechanic is willing to strip the car down for free get him to fit a set of Superpro comfort series.

NB: f your get noise when going over bumps etc, it may not be diff bushes, or it could be the front diff mounts contacting the cradle if the front bushes haven't been installed at the correct depth.

[senna_T]

As above, the part number you have selected is designed for competition use.

If you want to use the nolathane brand, get their comfort option (its still better than the factory bush)

If you want the best use Super Pro part numbers:

SPF3232AK - Centre position

SPF3148AK - Side positions

[rbjet]

When I did my center diff bush I went with the solid super pro item and I do get a fair bit more drive line noise now but nothing the stereo can't fix.

[phantom xr6t]

I had superpro fulcrum bushes fitted to the whole car and experienced no extra noise after it was done, but the car drives a whole lot better now