Rear Differential Bushing Leak

BossJ

So - I saw, what looked to be burnt oil on my freshly installed exhaust system, so I took it to Nissan - A buddy of mine works there - and he said it's the rear differential bushings + drive shaft.

Warranty is covering the drive shaft but obviously not the bushings... My question is - the smart move is to just order the rear differential bushing set off of Z1 Motorsports for $65, instead of $1500 + labor from the dealership - and have a buddy install it - right?

Am I missing something? The Pros of the forum / 370z's are there cons / pros to this route? Should I add anything to this change or replace anything while I'm doing this work already? What's the best route for this?


Here's the part I'm looking at...

https://www.z1motorsports.com/z1-pro...t-p-10356.html


Thanks guys. I am not super smart about all this - just know what I read and see on here!

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2016 Pearl White 370Z Nismo (6ma) || Z1 CAI || Greddy GT X || FI Resonated Test Pipes || Ported Manifolds || Fuel Pump: aem50-1200 || 1050cc Fuel Injectors || E85 || RJM Performance Clutch || ECUTECH - SpecialtyZ (Seb)

bunk

Did you mess up your driveshaft? The bushing will wear out and pop from normal wear and tear.
Yeah, get some after market bushings and change them out instead of Nissan changing out the whole $ubframe. Its not as hard as alot of people make it out to be as long as you use the right tools and take your time (sawzall is involved and you have to be careful cutting out the bushing collar so as not to put any burrs on the subframe...ask me how I know..lol).

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-Drop in K&N Filter -Invidia Gemini CBE -Z1 Oil Cooler -Swift Springs - EcuTek -Forgestar F14 -SPL Camber Links -Akebono BBK Upgrade -Z1 Premium SS Lines -SPL Diff Bushings -SPL FUCAs - BellRaceworks Diff Brace

BossJ

So this all started because I saw that burnt oil/grease on the exhaust.

The car is running perfect other than that. So then they put it up on the lift and saw the bushing and the drive shaft issues.

So I don't know of when / how / or where I would of damaged the driveshaft - the mechanic was vague about the issue - it sounded more of a let's do this to avoid other issues down the road than an immediate issue.

He said there's more oil or 'grease' on it than he'd like to see - He is afraid of it twisting / moving too much - if that makes sense?

It doesn't seem to be a 'pressing' issue but I am warrantied out on it... so I might as well do it - if it's covered.


(I bought this car used with 20k miles on it - the guy got it in 2015 and I bought it Nov 2019 - so it wasn't driven much. But this could of been an issue from the beginning. I got it from out of town - and didn't get my mechanic to look at it before the purchase.)

Thanks for the response!

__________________
2016 Pearl White 370Z Nismo (6ma) || Z1 CAI || Greddy GT X || FI Resonated Test Pipes || Ported Manifolds || Fuel Pump: aem50-1200 || 1050cc Fuel Injectors || E85 || RJM Performance Clutch || ECUTECH - SpecialtyZ (Seb)

bunk

I guess if its covered then get it changed out. You didnt feel a vibration, hard to turn, weird noises etc? Unless they saw that it was chipped, or something.

You might also want to weigh your options on the bushings. SPL solid bushing seem to be the favored bushing. Some have even gone SPL everything with their suspension (Rusty).

Oh, and after the bushings are replaced, change out the diff fluid, falls under the "while im at it" situations.

__________________
-Drop in K&N Filter -Invidia Gemini CBE -Z1 Oil Cooler -Swift Springs - EcuTek -Forgestar F14 -SPL Camber Links -Akebono BBK Upgrade -Z1 Premium SS Lines -SPL Diff Bushings -SPL FUCAs - BellRaceworks Diff Brace

BossJ

Naw - so no issues. No chip - no nothing - He just said it looks quite greasy - as in it may be leaking? I wish I knew more about drive shafts! ha!

also - can you link me what you would get - the z1 motorsports SPL solid bushings don't say they are usable for the 370z... Am i missing something?

And yeah I'll do the diff fluid also. Thanks for the tips - I'm down to do whatever else if it makes sense and while I'm at it category

It's a 2016 nismo with 30k miles on it.

__________________
2016 Pearl White 370Z Nismo (6ma) || Z1 CAI || Greddy GT X || FI Resonated Test Pipes || Ported Manifolds || Fuel Pump: aem50-1200 || 1050cc Fuel Injectors || E85 || RJM Performance Clutch || ECUTECH - SpecialtyZ (Seb)

bunk

Drive shafts dont leak...can you ask your buddy what exactly was wrong with it?

Just do a search on Z1 for 370z diff bushing. Youll even see the type of diff fluid to use. If you REALLY want to do more than just maintenance, you can get a finned diff cover for better cooling and slap on a diff brace..

__________________
-Drop in K&N Filter -Invidia Gemini CBE -Z1 Oil Cooler -Swift Springs - EcuTek -Forgestar F14 -SPL Camber Links -Akebono BBK Upgrade -Z1 Premium SS Lines -SPL Diff Bushings -SPL FUCAs - BellRaceworks Diff Brace

axmea?

Don't go to a dealership. Find a reliable, trusted, and credible mechanic. The pics clearly say its your bushing. Your butt and your ears will tell you if there's a driveshaft issue. When bushings fail, dealers will replace the entire assembly vs just the bushing. It is quick and heftier on the cash register.

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BossJ

Good to know!

Thanks - I feel like I’m being had even though it’s a buddy of mine. Seems like it’s more of the protocol - like you said - when bushing goes - they want to replace it all - even if it’s ok.

If warranty doesn’t cover it fully - I’ll be passing on it. Like I said - car drives perfect 👌

__________________
2016 Pearl White 370Z Nismo (6ma) || Z1 CAI || Greddy GT X || FI Resonated Test Pipes || Ported Manifolds || Fuel Pump: aem50-1200 || 1050cc Fuel Injectors || E85 || RJM Performance Clutch || ECUTECH - SpecialtyZ (Seb)

javi370z

If you are able you can replace them yourself. It’s really a lot easier than most people think. I have a video replacing mine on my YouTube channel RiceburnerZ https://youtu.be/aWZI15smSzw

Tractionless

What about adding a aftermarket diff brace that bolts the diff to the subframe in the meantime so the diff isn't bouncing around in the broken bushing?

Wouldn't this prevent the bushings from breaking in the first place as well?

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BossJ

Yo. I ended up getting some bushings, upgraded cover, and brace from z1 already installed and oh so nice.

__________________
2016 Pearl White 370Z Nismo (6ma) || Z1 CAI || Greddy GT X || FI Resonated Test Pipes || Ported Manifolds || Fuel Pump: aem50-1200 || 1050cc Fuel Injectors || E85 || RJM Performance Clutch || ECUTECH - SpecialtyZ (Seb)

Tractionless

Nice I don't even want to get to the broken diff bushing saga. Figuring if installing the diff brace it'll save the bushings.

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