Diff brace thoughts?

Kzonts · 03-16-2024, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunk

Well.. let me also just state that I have not personally seen failure introduced by use of one of the differential braces. So, the practice sucks on paper, but in the real world I have not seen it cause any real consequences yet. So I dont want to sound an alarm that everyone immediately run to remove these.

If it were to eventually cause a problem... what would it be? Well, most likely mounting point failure. Whether it became cracks at the crossmember, threads torn from the differential or cracking of the differential housing or cover. Is it possible that there could be some internal wear caused by housing distortion when the differential is loaded with only 1 solid mounting point? Eh, maybe, but its a pretty beefy unit and you know its shape is round/arch which is inherently rigid, etc. I would probably be in more of a hurry to get rid of it in a 350z since they have the aluminum rear crossmember rather than the beefy steel unit the 370z has.

So if you are enjoying it or the benefits from it, I would say to keep it in and maybe just plan to one day put in a full set of solid urethane bushings. If someone doesnt already have the brace, that is where I would attempt to intercept the plan and encourage a full bushing swap instead.

Thanks! I removed it anyway. It only takes a few minutes. I’ll plan to replace the bushings at some point.

ZoomZ · 03-17-2024, 02:02 PM

Adding a Diff brace with stock rubber mounts on Diff. might have a different issue.

I see the other view points of moving all the load to one point and I agree to some extent.

However, I believe the brace actually becomes a hinge point.

Meaning, that the OEM rubber bushings will now deflect even more and the inner ear bushing may not deflect as much do to it's closer proximity to hinge point.

The Ear bushings may not get a vertical deflection but more of a twisting or sideways defelction . The rear subframe bushing should still have some give and maybe too much strain and lead to an early failure, as opposed to not having the brace.

Just another way to look at things. I'm not etching this in stone.

Tractionless · 05-03-2024, 12:09 PM

Since I didn't see it I'll simply add that I've seen braces that simply reuse the OE bolts; therefore, you shorten thread engagement into the diff.

I sourced gr. 8.8 bolts with the added length based upon the thickness of the brace at the mounting point.

ihaveashihtzu · 05-05-2024, 12:13 AM

FWIW I have a gktech diff brace on my car with poly bushings (I think whiteline).

Has been on the car ~3 years with many drift events and haven't had an issue.

Tractionless · 05-17-2024, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihaveashihtzu

FWIW I have a gktech diff brace on my car with poly bushings (I think whiteline).

Has been on the car ~3 years with many drift events and haven't had an issue.

Nice data under harsh conditions, thanks!

03-17-2024, 02:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
ZoomZ Track Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 761 Drives: 17' 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 40617	Adding a Diff brace with stock rubber mounts on Diff. might have a different issue. I see the other view points of moving all the load to one point and I agree to some extent. However, I believe the brace actually becomes a hinge point. Meaning, that the OEM rubber bushings will now deflect even more and the inner ear bushing may not deflect as much do to it's closer proximity to hinge point. The Ear bushings may not get a vertical deflection but more of a twisting or sideways defelction . The rear subframe bushing should still have some give and maybe too much strain and lead to an early failure, as opposed to not having the brace. Just another way to look at things. I'm not etching this in stone. Kzonts likes this. __________________ “Action without vision is a nightmare.” Last edited by ZoomZ; 03-17-2024 at 02:05 PM.

05-03-2024, 12:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
Tractionless A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Atlantic SE Posts: 1,326 Drives: '10 K23 ST 7AT Rep Power: 30525	Since I didn't see it I'll simply add that I've seen braces that simply reuse the OE bolts; therefore, you shorten thread engagement into the diff. I sourced gr. 8.8 bolts with the added length based upon the thickness of the brace at the mounting point. phunk, Rusty, sx moneypit and 2 others like this. __________________ Toys Not Tots

05-05-2024, 12:13 AM	#19 (permalink)
ihaveashihtzu Base Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 33 Drives: 08 G35, 11 370 Nismo Rep Power: 45	FWIW I have a gktech diff brace on my car with poly bushings (I think whiteline). Has been on the car ~3 years with many drift events and haven't had an issue. Kzonts, Tractionless and ZoomZ like this.

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