Rebuilding IRS

[eisenhauer01]

Well that escalated quickly... The car was sitting on it's tires this morning in my garage. Decided to start preparing for install of Steeda Diff Bushings and Through Bolt Kit, amongst other upgrades back there. Long story short, I found myself removing the rear assembly to make my life easier. It wasn't too bad actually. Going to go ahead and do some things I wasn't planning to, but it will be good and done for the long run.

Honestly, the hardest parts were the DS bolts (which I just did a couple weeks ago when I installed the Steeda 1pc Alum DS and getting the driver's side Halfshaft out (it was in there buddy). But other than that, just bolts and nuts.

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[NGOT8R]

A few more things that would be very good to do while you have the IRS out of the car would be:

- BMR camber lockout kit = No more camber slip.

- Steeda differential bracket

- Steeda RLCA spherical bearings

The camber lockout hit has been in mine for about 2 years and everything else for over 4 years. Good stuff!

 

[NGOT8R]

You did the right thing by removing it and it will indeed make your life much easier for those mods. I did the same thing when I installed my IRS upgrades.

 

[eisenhauer01]

Thanks for the info. I am looking into some things now, and the shopping cart never seems to end.
The original plan was to install:
Steeda Black Diff Bushings
Steeda Diff Through Bolt Kit
Steeda IRS Support Bushings
Steeda IRS Subframe Alignment Dowels
FP Knuckle to Toe Link Bearing

After looking things over, I realized the RCLA bushing was completely shot, and that I wanted to upgrade the half shafts (in preparation for boost next year). The camber arms also caught my eye. I also popped my diff seals out, and will be replacing those (seeping).

With that said, I will look into the Camber Lockout Kit while I am here.
I honestly was not planning to do the Steeda Differential Bracket. I figured doing the black bushings and the full through bolt kit would be all I would need long term, but if you have more info on that subject, please share!
I am currently looking into the RCLA bushing/bearing ordeal. The factory bushing is shot completely. So I will be pressing them out (and the knuckle bushings for the toe links), just need to choose the replacements.
Was looking at BMR BK081 or the Steeda 555-4117. BMR is quite a bit cheaper, but it is nice that the Steeda comes with the removal/install aluminum piece too, so it is one less thing to look for.

 

[lo-fi]

Nice work, I like sit the rear end on these cheap-o harbor freight dollys, makes moving it around easy.

 

[NGOT8R]

The differential bracket is supposed to strengthen the front differential ears and better support the diff. itself. I was going all in when I installed my IRS mods and wanted to add everything possible that could help make it better/stronger. I also didn’t want to drop the IRS again late on down the road to do things that I knew I would eventually want.

The black bushings are a good choice btw. With all of the suspension mods that I have, I am very pleased that NVHis very minimal.

 

[NGOT8R]

Here’s how my rear sits today and there’s nothing left to do back there.

 

[eisenhauer01]

Very nice NGOT8R!! I have Viking shocks sitting in the garage waiting on reassembly as well!
I did some reading on the BMR Camber Lockout Kit, and I understand the appeal to that. I don't necessarily like the fact that you are "locked in" (pun intented) into one of two locations though.
With that, I am looking at the Steeda Rear Camber Adjustment Kit 555-4126. I realize it is difficult to get to the drivers side for adjustment (fuel filler), but I have a very good alignment guy and we work together on the car. That is the way I am leaning anyways.
Still looking into the RCLA bearings. Thanks for the pics and info, that is what makes this forum great.

 

[NGOT8R]

I meant to ask, are your diff. bushings torn or are they still intact? If torn, I would recommend replacing them with polyurethane bushings instead of the inserts, while still using the through bolt kit.

 

[eisenhauer01]

They have some cracking, but are not torn (I wouldn't say anyways). You can see the fractures from stress, and they are on their way to being torn in due time, but not there yet. The polyurethane bushings would require removal of the factory bushings, correct?

 

[NGOT8R]

Very nice NGOT8R!! I have Viking shocks sitting in the garage waiting on reassembly as well!
I did some reading on the BMR Camber Lockout Kit, and I understand the appeal to that. I don't necessarily like the fact that you are "locked in" (pun intented) into one of two locations though.
With that, I am looking at the Steeda Rear Camber Adjustment Kit 555-4126. I realize it is difficult to get to the drivers side for adjustment (fuel filler), but I have a very good alignment guy and we work together on the car. That is the way I am leaning anyways.
Still looking into the RCLA bearings. Thanks for the pics and info, that is what makes this forum great.

Thanks! Yes, the Steeda camber adjustment kit is also an option. I looked at it for mine, but decided against if for the reason that you stated. I figured with their adjustable toe links, I would be able to dial in the necessary camber and not risk it slipping and losing the settings. I recall reading about that when I was looking into that mod.

 

[NGOT8R]

They have some cracking, but are not torn (I wouldn't say anyways). You can see the fractures from stress, and they are on their way to being torn in due time, but not there yet. The polyurethane bushings would require removal of the factory bushings, correct?

Yes, but if you’re careful, you might be able to remove the bushings without damaging the shell.

 

[eisenhauer01]

Hmmmm, it is something to think about. I think I will probably stick with the black inserts for now since they are already on the way and I feel they will make me happy for time to come. The car doesn't get driven very much, and it is just a weekend cruiser kind of thing. I tinker with it because I enjoy it. It isn't getting built up for a specific purpose of drag or track. I feel the list of things getting done to it now will make a big improvement and it is exciting!

 

[NGOT8R]

Hmmmm, it is something to think about. I think I will probably stick with the black inserts for now since they are already on the way and I feel they will make me happy for time to come. The car doesn't get driven very much, and it is just a weekend cruiser kind of thing. I tinker with it because I enjoy it. It isn't getting built up for a specific purpose of drag or track. I feel the list of things getting done to it now will make a big improvement and it is exciting!

Oh yeah, it’ll be a very good improvement with what you have planned. One last thing I‘ll mention about torn bushing is, some people fill them with urethane windshield caulk (if the tears are open wide enough) and then add the bushing kit. Some have also just installed the bushing kit as is. Either way, you’ll be in better shape than you would be without the bushings.

 

[eisenhauer01]

Yeah I read that somewhere too. I thought about doing it. The tears are not big enough for anything to get in there, but I thought about putting some in the voids to kind of fill them up.

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