IRS differential mounts don't align

[Rock2000]

I'm trying to mount the IRS diff but I can't seem to get the diff mounts to all line up. I can get a rear and a front bolt in, but on the other side the diff ears are too far outward. Is there any trick to lining these up? The front seems a bit farther off, but I think if I play with it I might be able to finagle it. The rear I've already got a bit of stripped threads on the ear because it's close, but not quite lining up. Also the front bushing sleeve seems quite a bit too long, is that normal?

I've come across some threads saying solid bushings on the front are a really good idea, which makes sense, but if I can't easily align the mounts with rubber bushings do I really have a prayer of using solid bushings?

Thanks

[Ted G]

I think practically everyone has had this problem. Keep working at it

[burchfieldb]

Some tapered drive pins will help. You can get some bolts from the hardware store and grind them to a taper and use them to get things aligned.

[DesertSn8ke]

My front bushing sleeves are also longer than the bushings. I just went with it. I guess they could be cut down, though as long as you can get a wrench on it and get it tight I'm not sure it matters. Lots of grease on the bushing faces helps slide things around easier. I eventually used my Dremel on the two forward bushing sleeves, and tapered them to help get the bolts started.

[cv2065]

I'm trying to mount the IRS diff but I can't seem to get the diff mounts to all line up. I can get a rear and a front bolt in, but on the other side the diff ears are too far outward. Is there any trick to lining these up? The front seems a bit farther off, but I think if I play with it I might be able to finagle it. The rear I've already got a bit of stripped threads on the ear because it's close, but not quite lining up. Also the front bushing sleeve seems quite a bit too long, is that normal?

I've come across some threads saying solid bushings on the front are a really good idea, which makes sense, but if I can't easily align the mounts with rubber bushings do I really have a prayer of using solid bushings?

Thanks

I think that it's easier to do the threaded rear bolts first, then move to the front but don't torque everything down until you have it all aligned. What I did on the rears for alignment was to get a same sized bolt and thread through the opposite side to see how far off I was from hole alignment, then adjust accordingly until it threads up. As others have said, tapered pins work as well. If you have stripped threads in one of the ears, then you may need to tap the threads to straighten them out. And yes, the front bushing is slightly longer for everyone by about 1/8". Torque it to proper specs and move on.

[Ray from Long Island]

Exactly what cv2065 (aka Speed Racer) said above. I had the same issue when installing mine & this method worked for me.
Good luck !
Ray

[Rock2000]

I pulled/pushed out the sleeves as far as I could to be able to give slight play in the bolts and managed to get them in. I was more concerned about the long front sleeves, which are about 3/16" for me. But if that is normal, then I'm good now. Thanks everyone.