Nissan 370Z Forum - Bell Raceworks Diff Brace Install

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- - Bell Raceworks Diff Brace Install (http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspension/129761-bell-raceworks-diff-brace-install.html)

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Originally Posted by Hotrodz (Post 3826729)

LOL, I think I have set of those worthless things too!:wtf2:

Switched out to the FI 3 bolt gasket and no more gasket leak. Just sucked to have to go through that twice in 7 days. Made worse by the fact it was done on jack stands and the whole front half of the exhaust and the turbo and manifold had to be dropped.......twice.

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Originally Posted by solidus (Post 3826731)

Yeah that sucks

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Originally Posted by jwick (Post 3826762)

Yeah that sucks

Jwick you're a BP guy like me, I know you know. Lol!!!

Bell Raceworks Diff Brace Install

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Originally Posted by solidus (Post 3826773)

Jwick you're a BP guy like me, I know you know. Lol!!!

Dude. Chuck and I fought that turbo for over an hour when we first installed the kit. After we finally got it clocked and inplace, it took me 30-45 minutes to tighten the t-bolt clamp on the coupler. It was so tight I couldn’t get a socket on it. It was one ratchet click at a time with my flex head ratcheting box wrench.

I was so thankful to upgrade to the V2 piping.

For me it's two things. The top forward bolt for the turbo flange and getting the v bands for the recirc pipes to line up to put the clamps on. I'm an expert at removing catalytic, test pipes and turbo manifolds. I can do it with the hood closed now.

Talked to Spencer about this brace at ZDayZ this month. He told me to send him an e-mail detailing the issues with the brace. So, I included this thread. Hoping this helps to improve it. The brace is a great idea, but just had poor follow through.

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Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 3855407)

Bull chit......acting like this was never brought to Z1’s attention. You got him in person, face to face, he got nowhere to run but to appear as if it’s breaking news...

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Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 3820641)

This is the review that I'm posting again. :icon14:

If you have exhaust like FI that are close to the diff. This brace won't fit unless you trim about 1 3/8" on the corner of the brace. The other problem is that the upper mounting hole does not line up with the hole in the sub-frame. It's off by a bolt hole diameter. They say to loosen the diff bolting up to the diff so that you can move the diff around and get the holes to line up. Problem is if you have a solid bushing like SPL. When tightening the diff bolting back down. This will put stress on the bolting that you don't need. If you have the stock rubber bushing. you might get away with it.

The other thing that I noticed. There is weld beads on both sides of the bends of the brace. It looks like when bending the metal to shape. The metal cracked at the bends. So they welded over the cracks to hide them.

Rusty

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Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 3820642)

Just seen this on the Z1 website.

"Thank you for your review. It has been submitted to the store owner for approval and should appear shortly."

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Originally Posted by cv129 (Post 3855487)

Bull chit......acting like this was never brought to Z1’s attention. You got him in person, face to face, he got nowhere to run but to appear as if it’s breaking news...

Someone at Z1 read my review and buried it. I hoping some good will come out of my e-mail. He now knows about this thread. So, let's see what comes out of it. I'll up-date this thread when I get a reply.

Rusty, do you notice any difference with the diff brace?

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Originally Posted by bunk (Post 3855532)

Rusty, do you notice any difference with the diff brace?

Well......the whole azz of the Z is locked down. So for me to notice will be hard.

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Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 3855619)

Well......the whole azz of the Z is locked down. So for me to notice will be hard.

Ill have to look into this... if anything to give me more piece of mind about my stud on that bushing...lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 3820641)

There is weld beads on both sides of the bends of the brace. It looks like when bending the metal to shape. The metal cracked at the bends. So they welded over the cracks to hide them.

The picture on Z1's site shows the same welding. Looks like it's that way for all the braces. So either a) they wanted to be extra sure the brace was strong, or b) this is a substandard product.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyZ (Post 3855783)

The picture on Z1's site shows the same welding. Looks like it's that way for all the braces. So either a) they wanted to be extra sure the brace was strong, or b) this is a substandard product.

I've seen this before in fabing parts. They're putting a flat piece into an iron worker and pressing it into shape. Either they need to put some lube on the piece to let it move or the dies need adjusted.

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Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 3855795)

Either they need to put some lube on the piece to let it move or the dies need adjusted.

"When in doubt, add more lube" is a pretty coherent life philosophy. :tiphat:

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Originally Posted by BettyZ (Post 3855799)

"When in doubt, add more lube" is a pretty coherent life philosophy. :tiphat:

Tell her to bit the pillow. Because you're going in dry. :eek: