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Single bolt diff brace, cold weather driveline vibrations

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Westfield, NJ
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2024 Explorer ST
#1
Hi,
1. Thinking of installing a differential brace on my 24 st. It has 1 bolt rear diff (3 bolt technically). Any advice of the brace? Is it really needed?
2. My st has infamous 38mph driveline vibraion when it's cold outside (below 45). If car sits outside overnight - vibration is present. If in the garage - no vibraion. Has anyone found a solution. Seems like it's related to grease settling when warm, solidifying, and causing slight imbalance in the driveshaft.

Thank you
1000009972.jpg
 

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#2
There are like a million posts on this already. Do a thread/post search.
 

2020FordRaptor

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#3
Hi,
1. Thinking of installing a differential brace on my 24 st. It has 1 bolt rear diff (3 bolt technically). Any advice of the brace? Is it really needed?
2. My st has infamous 38mph driveline vibraion when it's cold outside (below 45). If car sits outside overnight - vibration is present. If in the garage - no vibraion. Has anyone found a solution. Seems like it's related to grease settling when warm, solidifying, and causing slight imbalance in the driveshaft.

Thank you
View attachment 26833
I've never seen an ST with a red rear diff cover. Can't help you too much about the driveline vibration, I've heard the rear differential has caused problems with vibration on deceleration. If you drive the car a little hard, you should get an rear diff brace. I would get it for sure, that 1-bolt is super weak. The best differential braces are from ID-Speed, Steeda, and Livernois.
 

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2x 2023 Explorer STs
#4
We have 2 STs, one with a single bolt (mine) and one with a two bolt (my wifes). I tend to notice more vibration on mine but almost all of it can be accounted for by sources other than drive line (under car trays, shields, etc...) but I went the AWR route for the diff brace. In my opinion, its needed for a single bolt and optional for a two bolt. Our STs are tuned with mild bolt-ons (FMIC, Exhaust, etc...) and the idea of launching a single bolt with additional power and no brace terrifies me.
 

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nikolai9956
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Thread Starter #5
I've never seen an ST with a red rear diff cover. Can't help you too much about the driveline vibration, I've heard the rear differential has caused problems with vibration on deceleration. If you drive the car a little hard, you should get an rear diff brace. I would get it for sure, that 1-bolt is super weak. The best differential braces are from ID-Speed, Steeda, and Livernois.
Thank you. Red spray paint...
Those are the ones that I'm looking into. Can't decide. All seem the same, but different.
 

OP
nikolai9956
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Thread Starter #6
We have 2 STs, one with a single bolt (mine) and one with a two bolt (my wifes). I tend to notice more vibration on mine but almost all of it can be accounted for by sources other than drive line (under car trays, shields, etc...) but I went the AWR route for the diff brace. In my opinion, its needed for a single bolt and optional for a two bolt. Our STs are tuned with mild bolt-ons (FMIC, Exhaust, etc...) and the idea of launching a single bolt with additional power and no brace terrifies me.
Is it true that 2 bolt bushings are way softer than 1 bolt?
 

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nikolai9956
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Thread Starter #7
Anyone experienced additional vibrations after installing the brace? One review for steeda talks about noticeable vibrations after installing the brace.
 

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#8
I didnt notice any additional NVH with the brace. If anything, its a bit more smooth... especially when shifting between park/drive/reverse
 

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#9

2020FordRaptor

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#10
Anyone experienced additional vibrations after installing the brace? One review for steeda talks about noticeable vibrations after installing the brace.
I think there might be a tiny little increase in NVH, but shouldn't be bad at all.
 

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nikolai9956
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Thread Starter #11
Steeda seems to be the same thing as livernois and similarly priced. Any thoughts between those 2 and id?
 

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#12
Steeda seems to be the same thing as livernois and similarly priced. Any thoughts between those 2 and id?
They are all different design wise, but the Livernois and Steeda unit looks kind of similar. I myself like the ID-Speed unit. To me, whatever one is cheapest would be my choice, they are all very solid options.
 

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nikolai9956
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Thread Starter #13
Any thoughts on replacing front bushings at the same time? Thinking of getting steeda kit with pinion bushings. Ty
 

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#14
Any thoughts on replacing front bushings at the same time? Thinking of getting steeda kit with pinion bushings. Ty
What front bushings? The diff bushings?
 

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#16
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Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#18
After having the rear diff recall done - changing of single diff bolt and bushing in rear carrier, amongst all other bolts they changed, which were many. I added some stuff.

Steeda: Rear Diff Brace, Rear Swaybar End Links, Non-adjustable Toe Links, Rear Diff Pinion Bushing Kit, ST Subframe Bushing Support Kit
FenFab: Vertical Links.

Now everything seem more planted, positive without slop.

And no NVH issue with any of it.
 

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