Added a bolt to the 1/3 bolt differential mount
I decided I would be the guinea pig…
Since Ford isn’t going to install the proper sub-frame (and I will be Hwy towing and off road towing) I decided I would just install a bolt with bushings on each side of the sub-frame (and not gunna pay the crazy prices for the existing after market brackets) for some peace of mind.
I had to drill out the rear hole to make my bushing fit inside it and behind it. I made another bushing (without protrusion into sub-frame, couldn’t get to the hole to make it bigger) and put it between the sub-frame and the differential housing bolt hole. I then used a grade-8, 14-20 bolt 5” long w/ some blue thread lock and tightened it up fairly snug.
My thinking here is… since there is at least an 1/8” space all the way around the bolt in the sub-frame and there is a “dampener” bushing snugged in there, there should be similar or more give than the OEM other side bolt thus adding support without affecting the movement that was already there. So hopefully the new bolt will just prevent too much movement and maybe avoid a broken bolt and the added support shouldn’t affect the warrantee.
**I made the bushings from shock mount bushings drilled out with 5/8” bit.
EDIT: I had to add a second washer because the bolt was a bit too long. No funny sounds or vibrations during test drive!
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