Any one use Z1 rear diff bushings tool
 

My Z needs to have the rear bushings replaced. I decided to upgrade the diff cover with Z1's full diff upgrade kit with the white line bushings.
Has anyone used their rear diff bushing removal tool? I have heard what a pain getting the diff bushing out is and wanted to know if this removal tool was worth it.

The shop used mine and it saved me a few hours of labor cost.

The feedback I received was it worked ok coming out but not so easy on putting the new bushing in. I used a Energy Suspension bushing I had. Other replacement bushings may have different results.

The original OEM bushing looks so new out of the car, its freaky.

The 1st part of the tool, ripping the guts out, was pretty straight forward and works well. Removing the bushing was hell. It took 2 of us taking turns with the tool. Now there may be a couple of issues that made it a bit more difficult with the first being we did this with the car on jackstands. I believe if we had more height and more leverage it may have been easier. The second issue was the car was a 2009 and the undercarriage had seen better days.

Since I had the rear wheels off the car what we ended up doing was 1 guy "ratcheting" and the other using leg power. Leg day for all! :ughdance:

I just finished this job yesterday using the Z1 tool. Yes it definitely helps, but it's still a lot of work. Just like Krylon said, it took two of us, one using his leg and me pulling at the same time to get the bushing out. You need to raise the car high enough so that your breaker bar clears the floor.
For me, the job was further complicated as the nut stripped inside the rear bushing and no matter what I tried, we couldn't break it loose, not even with an Irwin extractor socket. Ended up using a hole saw to cut it out...not fun. So, be very careful removing that 17mm nut, ensure your socket is firmly seated all the way.
We did use the tool to install the white line bushing, and it was pretty easy.

Wideglideleon, I don't need the tool anymore, pm me with an offer if you like. I have $140 including shipping in it.

A pulling tool of some type will help; I used a homemade setup from sockets & 1" bolt...performed alone & still a bit of a bogeyman!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c1182f2a72.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9dd57d8c96.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9494e7804c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c1213a9e8c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2caeb9c6d8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5084d2e8da.jpg


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Thanks for everyone's input. I have ordered the tool it seems the general opinion is that it will help save some time and mess. After hearing and watching on YouTube what a messy pain in the butt drilling and sawing thru the bushing can be.
I will report back on my experience using the tool.

Good luck & watch out for the thin-watery black oil in the bushing...i elected not to cut anything; just pulled it through (came out in 3 parts lol),,,i installed the urethane one's that Z1 sells.

Once you remove the inner part of the bushing. Use a hack saw or sawzall and cut the outer bushing shell in 2 places about 45deg apart. Then you can tap the shell out. You guys made this a lot harder then what it is. :shakes head:

I did the bushing removal myself and updated to the z1 diff cover. I wasn't aware of a removal tool but again i did this about a year and half ago. I did what you did but i only cut one place in the old bushing. once you get the diff out and the busing ready to go i just got a jigsaw and put a cut through the bushing once it cut the side of the bushing i pulled it out with my fingers. haha nissan wanted to pull the whole subframe to do this little bushing okay steelership.

Job completed
 

My Son and I replaced the rear Diff bushings and while we were at we upgraded the diff cover with Z1's finned one. The Job took us about 4 hours total, it would have gone quicker I think if Z1 had sent all the parts with their tool I ordered. It came with out the large washer to use to remove the rubber center.
I feel their tool wasn't much of a benefit and if i was going to do it again I would just use a sawzall to cut the steel ring out. It took a lot of muscle and pressure to press it out and the tool went cockeyed on us and that took quite a while to remove.
Glad we did it our selves but can't recommend anyone spending the money on this tool even if they send all the parts with it.