TR6 TR6 Differential Mounts

[mgedit]

Have the transmission, driveshaft, and differential out right now as I install j-type OD. Differential mounts look good on frame, but I'm thinking as a precaution that I should replace the rubber bushings in any case although they show minimal wear. My question is ... for general road use should I stick with rubber mounts, which have done well for 25 odd years, or switch over to poly bushings such as those sold by BPNW? Are there differences in the different poly bushings offered by different suppliers? Thanks Mike.

 

[Brosky]

Re: TR6 Differential

Welcome to the forum. I am using the stock bushings, the second set in 35 years, so they're OK, but I am adding these in the spring. They're made by Joe Alexander and I know that they're a good product.

Joe Alexanders Differential Support Kit

 

[mgedit]

Re: TR6 Differential

Hi Paul. Thanks for the reply. I was thinking that rather than supplement the rubber ones, I might be better to use "road" poly bushings from the start since I'm replacing the bushings anyway.

If that is the case, what are the differences in the various poly bushings that are out there?

Cheers, Mike

 

[trrdster2000]

Re: TR6 Differential

Mike, I wouldn't be so quick to get into the poly bushing, if you plan to race or do some autocross OK, but get the frame kit from TSI before you do anything else. His kit boxes in the frame. The only trouble with the standard bushing is letting them get completely worn out before replacement, then the movement of the rearend rips the right front mount right out of the frame.

Wayne

 

[RonMacPherson]

Re: TR6 Differential

What the others are telling you is what you need to keep foremost in mind. The rubber is slightly softer than the poly, which will allow some slight movement, key word here is SLIGHT. The 6 frames have problems in cracking at the pin mount in the frame.

A suggestion, go over to the 6pack forum, there was a thread recently, may still be going, that has very good pictures on reinforcing the frame in that area. Some reinforcements can be done without removing a whole lot. And a strong frame at the diff mount area is sorely needed...

Then select your bushings. A good rubber, to me, is better than a poly as the shore hardness(the amount of "give") in the rubber is more suited for comfort but still not going to detract from performance

 

[mgedit]

Re: TR6 Differential

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to take the time to reinforce the mounts while I've got everything apart anyway. I can appreciate that the rubber and poly have different characteristics, but for moderate road driving is there much noticable difference? My preferred parts reseller (and TR6 owner) tells me he hasn't sold rubber mounts in 5 years and now only stocks the poly ones. Cheers, Mike

 

[poolboy]

Re: TR6 Differential

Being a man of compromise, I went back with rubber on the front and poly on the rear.
I would have gone rubber all the way around but the only problem I had with the original ones were that the metal inner sleeve " vulcanized" to the rubber, in the manner of motor mounts, had separated. The loose metal sleeve clicked, metallic-like, against the metal pin under torque.
The rear poly's are so stiff that I guess they didn't need the metal sleeve for reenforcement.