Steeda Subframe bushings

[Roccorock]

Well I got the answer to my above question yesterday. The noise was becoming more frequent and while I was underneath it checking for anything loose, I saw axle grease slung on everything around the drivers side axle due to a torn boot, no idea how that happened. Took it to the dealership, the tech heard the noise, checked the fluid and it had lots of metal in it and it was just changed 3000 miles ago during the rear diff bolt fracture recall. So the tech started tearing into it and I his words "the rear diff ate itself". So now I'm getting a new diff and axle under warranty.

What was your mileage when you installed everything? I just installed the steeda pinion bushings, diff support brace, and the billet subframe bushings. My 24 only has about 3k miles on it and I also noticed a "clunk" type noise when decelerating at low speeds. I was chocking it up to everything being much firmer, but I'm still concerned. I checked all of the bolts and they were all torqued to spec.....

 

[musclecarman39]

What was your mileage when you installed everything? I just installed the steeda pinion bushings, diff support brace, and the billet subframe bushings. My 24 only has about 3k miles on it and I also noticed a "clunk" type noise when decelerating at low speeds. I was chocking it up to everything being much firmer, but I'm still concerned. I checked all of the bolts and they were all torqued to spec.....

I had around 30,000 miles on my '21 when I installed all 3. I still have the subframe spacers and front pinion bushings but haven't reinstalled the rear diff brace yet. I'm going to have the fluid changed after 500 miles, and the diff brace would be in the way. I'm on the fence now about reinstalling the brace...i loved having all 3 installed because it did help the performance, but I'm kinda worried about the diff brace making it too solid and wearing the gears prematurely...

 

[Raym80]

What was your mileage when you installed everything? I just installed the steeda pinion bushings, diff support brace, and the billet subframe bushings. My 24 only has about 3k miles on it and I also noticed a "clunk" type noise when decelerating at low speeds. I was chocking it up to everything being much firmer, but I'm still concerned. I checked all of the bolts and they were all torqued to spec.....

I am getting the same sound, a noise from the diff going from park to in gear and at slow speeds its like there is slop in diff and makes a clucking noise. 33k miles, 3 bolt, steeda diff, FenFab subframe spacers.

 

[musclecarman39]

I am getting the same sound, a noise from the diff going from park to in gear and at slow speeds its like there is slop in diff and makes a clucking noise. 33k miles, 3 bolt, steeda diff, FenFab subframe spacers.

That's the same issue I had. Mine has 33,600 miles on it currently. I haven't heard any clunking after the new diff install but i also haven't reinstalled the diff brace

 

[JCR ST]

Is it possible we have made it too stiff with the mods?

I also have some sounds I didn't have before...

 

[Roccorock]

I am getting the same sound, a noise from the diff going from park to in gear and at slow speeds its like there is slop in diff and makes a clucking noise. 33k miles, 3 bolt, steeda diff, FenFab subframe spacers.

This is an accurate description....It feels like there is some excess movement where there shouldn't be!

 

[Roccorock]

Is it possible we have made it too stiff with the mods?

I also have some sounds I didn't have before...

I hope not...I installed all of these parts as a preventative measure. Even if it were too stiff, why would it feel like there is MORE movement?

 

[JCR ST]

I hope not...I installed all of these parts as a preventative measure. Even if it were too stiff, why would it feel like there is MORE movement?

Me too.
The only thing I can think of is without the stiffening mods there was some "cushion/dampening" now with the mods the movement is transferred to the body and more noticeable. Hopefully not causing problems.

 

[musclecarman39]

I hope not...I installed all of these parts as a preventative measure. Even if it were too stiff, why would it feel like there is MORE movement?

To me it felt like play in the rear diff itself, and clunking from the rear diff at low speeds and going to and from drive. Everything was still torqued to spec. I had about 30,000 miles on my 21 when I installed the rear subframe spacers, front pinion bushings and diff brace. I currently have 33,700 miles and now a new rear diff. I'm not sure if I want to put the diff brace back on because without it I'm not getting the clunking. I still have the other 2 installed. I loved the feel of all 3 together tho. Maybe the extra stiffness exposed a weak point, the rear diff, I don't know. Maybe ford intended to have the extra "cushioning", due to the rear diff, I don't know that either. These are newer vehicles with new mods so there hasn't been a lot of real world usage yet. Hopefully mine was just an outlier and not the norm.

 

[enphor]

To me it felt like play in the rear diff itself, and clunking from the rear diff at low speeds and going to and from drive. Everything was still torqued to spec. I had about 30,000 miles on my 21 when I installed the rear subframe spacers, front pinion bushings and diff brace. I currently have 33,700 miles and now a new rear diff. I'm not sure if I want to put the diff brace back on because without it I'm not getting the clunking. I still have the other 2 installed. I loved the feel of all 3 together tho. Maybe the extra stiffness exposed a weak point, the rear diff, I don't know. Maybe ford intended to have the extra "cushioning", due to the rear diff, I don't know that either. These are newer vehicles with new mods so there hasn't been a lot of real world usage yet. Hopefully mine was just an outlier and not the norm.

I'm about to install the Steeda diff brace, now I'm just a tad nervous if it may cause a problem when the whole reason I'm doing it is to avoid one!

 

[DaveW012]

I'm about to install the Steeda diff brace, now I'm just a tad nervous if it may cause a problem when the whole reason I'm doing it is to avoid one!

I’ve had mine installed for the last 6 months with no issues. Hope that gives you some peace of mind.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I don't have the diff brace because I have the four bolt but I have the subframe bushings. I've noticed a "clack" sound when going from park to drive and from drive to reverse. Sometimes I get it in Sport mode when it downshifts. I don't think the sound is coming from the diff though. I think it is coming from the rear hubs. There is a video on this that shows how the noise is created from the axle moving in the hub. I don't know if this is the same sound y'all might be hearing but it could be. Check this out: Video

 

[Roccorock]

I’ve had mine installed for the last 6 months with no issues. Hope that gives you some peace of mind.

Do you have any additional clunking or feel like there was extra movement in the drivetrain after install? Do you only have the rear diff brace or do you have the pinion bushings as well?

 

[DaveW012]

Do you have any additional clunking or feel like there was extra movement in the drivetrain after install? Do you only have the rear diff brace or do you have the pinion bushings as well?

I have the pinion bushings too. I haven’t heard any clunking or weird noise since the install. I actually had a slight clunk from the right rear after I installed my H&R springs but that went away after the Steeda brace and bushings were installed.

 

[Yenko]

So reading all the complaints about the steeda subframe bushings, steeda diff mount with the diff bushings is it really worth it? I don't race my ST but I drive it hard on the highway should I still do all that? I did install the JXB inserts in with the heavy duty rear bolts . Any thoughts.

 

[RusW1]

To me it felt like play in the rear diff itself, and clunking from the rear diff at low speeds and going to and from drive. Everything was still torqued to spec. I had about 30,000 miles on my 21 when I installed the rear subframe spacers, front pinion bushings and diff brace. I currently have 33,700 miles and now a new rear diff. I'm not sure if I want to put the diff brace back on because without it I'm not getting the clunking. I still have the other 2 installed. I loved the feel of all 3 together tho. Maybe the extra stiffness exposed a weak point, the rear diff, I don't know. Maybe ford intended to have the extra "cushioning", due to the rear diff, I don't know that either. These are newer vehicles with new mods so there hasn't been a lot of real world usage yet. Hopefully mine was just an outlier and not the norm.

Musclecarman, I just had the rear end replaced on my 21 as well, 10,700 miles. had weird noise/vibration between 71-77 mph. Was told the rear end was full of metal shavings when they inspected it. I purchased the rear diff brace, swaybar bushing kit, JXB inserts, and pinion bushings but haven't installed yet, car is still in the shop.

 

[MikeyP]

So reading all the complaints about the steeda subframe bushings, steeda diff mount with the diff bushings is it really worth it? I don't race my ST but I drive it hard on the highway should I still do all that? I did install the JXB inserts in with the heavy duty rear bolts . Any thoughts.

I have the Steeda Subframe Bushing Inserts and JXB Diff Bushing Inserts. No Diff Brace. No noise or issues with mine. These super simple and cheap mods made a huge improvement in driving feel. Do it.

 

[Yenko]

Which sub frame bushings are better Steeda or Fenbraction?

 

[MikeyP]

Which sub frame bushings are better Steeda or Fenbraction?

They are the same. Not sure on price difference. Either you're supporting a major player in the Ford modifying community or a small business that has been supporting this Explorer since day one. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

Which sub frame bushings are better Steeda or Fenbraction?

Get the FenFab bushings. There is a $0.05 difference in price at Leathal Performance. But you could just go right to the FenFab website and support the small guy.