NEW Product Alert! The AWR Racing rear diff mount

RobHalo · May 21, 2022

Opened mine up today and like others have said, I was very impressed with the build quality. Install was a little frustrating, especially that 3 o clock bolt, but it's not difficult. Anybody could do it in their driveway. Now I'm curious how a 3 bolt w/ AWR brace compares to the strength of an OEM 4 bolt rear?

GearHead_1 · May 21, 2022

Given the option with no other conditions (cost, labor, time, etc.) involved, I'd take the 4-bolt, hands down and if I had the DiffSupport sitting around I'd still put it on. I think this product is definitely worthy of consideration for those in my circumstance. If it's an either/or situation my head tells me the 4-bolt is the better option.

I guess I'd like to see this recall expanded to the point where Ford would replace the subframe, that ain't happening. I'd be delusional to think it would. Initially, I was going to just buy the subframe but once that recall happened there is a bit of lazy and a bit of wait-and-see in me.

TLST22 · May 22, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy · May 22, 2022

TLST22 said:

Nice.

Now bring that thing to the drag strip and put a couple of hundred passes on her!

Blown F-150 · May 25, 2022

Got it installed tonight. It took about 10 minutes to install, the key was to do the diff bracket side first.

Threw this up on YouTube after, maybe it will help someone out after seeing a lot of comments of folks struggling with the one diff bolt. I can definitely see how this would be harder if you had aftermarket exhaust, but still the same principles apply

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CareerFiremanGuy · May 26, 2022

Blown F-150 said:

Good tips, thanks for the vid.

Seeing how you've already done it, there's a solid fin in it for you if you install one for me. I know, tempting offer!

Blown F-150 · May 26, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy said:

I have a feeling that the flight cost would be prohibitive

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CareerFiremanGuy · May 26, 2022

Blown F-150 said:

Dang flying machines!

CareerFiremanGuy · May 29, 2022

New vid of someone installing the AWR Diff brace:

(kind of NOT the way to do it)

wesg79 · May 30, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy said:

guess if he only had the e18 socket thats the only way he could get at that 3 oclock bolt

TheNorth · May 30, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy said:

If anyone else is considering dropping the diff to install, it looks like the bolts holding the diff to the subframe are stretch bolts and should be replaced with new ones.
https://www.foexplorer.com/ford_explorer_removal_and_installation_axle_assembly-498.html

CareerFiremanGuy · May 30, 2022

wesg79 said:

Whoosh should include that socket with the brace!

GearHead_1 · May 30, 2022

A wrench would be more valuable than a socket. You can get a socket and a thin ratchet on the 3 o'clock bolt but you can't back it out very far and with the extra layer of the plate on the bracket added, a standard socket and ratchet can't be used to tighten. This is assuming you aren't dropping the diff. I can't tell you the last time I used that wrench but I was glad I had one.

Interestingly the AWR instructions kind of indicated that you could fit a 13mm wrench on these 18E bolts but I can tell you that a flank drive Snap-On or their regular box-end wrench or for that matter a basic old-school Craftsman wrench would not fit on it. You could probably use a mallet and seat it on the bolts but you'd never get the mallet between the frame and the bolt. I'm not sure what they were thinking or perhaps I just interpreted the instructions incorrectly.

I'm sure the 18E could be purchased on Amazon for a bit of nothing and be virtually disposable for most users.

wesg79 · May 31, 2022

CareerFiremanGuy said:

the socket is useless for 3 o'clock bolt, i bought the socket set then when i looked at the diff was like yeah that aint gona work, ordered the wrench and did the job with that, then ordered the ratcheting wrench incase i ever have to do it again lol, very little room to move the standard wrench with after market exhaust, takes a while

but agree, for the price of backet could have included a 15$ e18 wrench from amazon, not sure why instructions say to use a standard wrench, none of mine would fit on without chewing up the bolt head

CareerFiremanGuy · May 31, 2022

wesg79 said:

Sorry, I meant to say they should include the ratcheting wrench!

Sporty Rich · Oct 1, 2023

this post just answered my? sorry I didn't see it earlier. I'm ordering a AWR now for my piece of mind

Caster · Feb 26, 2024

What are peoples opinions on the AWR vs. Steeda diff brace? Here is why I ask - To me, the AWR brace is significantly better on your wallet than the Steeda. The AWR attaches to (2) diff bolts and goes to the horizontal bushing set up that comes with the kit. To me this is still better than the old factory 4-bolt setup that I don't believe was problematic. The Steeda costs quite a bit more but it looks like you are paying for over engineering and overkill you will never need. I doubt anyone has had issues with the AWR kit even with tunes, etc. (this is where you light me up if I'm wrong!)

Someone could come up with a new brace that attaches to all of the diff bolts, would that make it better - in my opinion, no because it would also be over engineered and overkill you will never need in any scenario. This is exactly how I am looking at the AWR vs. the Steeda.

I'm looking to purchase either the AWR or the Steeda if my 2025 ST comes in with the factory 3-bolt set-up we all dislike. I'm looking for opinions from others that may sway me in one direction or another. If no one has any complaints who have the AWR then that already steers me in that direction.

GearHead_1 · Feb 26, 2024

Started out with the AWR, it was what was available at the time, and switched to the Steeda. I have no solid evidence that one is better than the other. I just felt like the Steeda gave me more peace of mind and yeah, there is no questioning that more thought went into the production of the Steeda product.

Cajun Heat · Feb 26, 2024

Caster said:

What are peoples opinions on the AWR vs. Steeda diff brace? Here is why I ask - To me, the AWR brace is significantly better on your wallet than the Steeda. The AWR attaches to (2) diff bolts and goes to the horizontal bushing set up that comes with the kit. To me this is still better than the old factory 4-bolt setup that I don't believe was problematic. The Steeda costs quite a bit more but it looks like you are paying for over engineering and overkill you will never need. I doubt anyone has had issues with the AWR kit even with tunes, etc. (this is where you light me up if I'm wrong!)

Someone could come up with a new brace that attaches to all of the diff bolts, would that make it better - in my opinion, no because it would also be over engineered and overkill you will never need in any scenario. This is exactly how I am looking at the AWR vs. the Steeda.

I'm looking to purchase either the AWR or the Steeda if my 2025 ST comes in with the factory 3-bolt set-up we all dislike. I'm looking for opinions from others that may sway me in one direction or another. If no one has any complaints who have the AWR then that already steers me in that direction.

Been having the AWR installed since December 2022 and haven't had any issues with it.

I do have to say that if the Steeda was available at that time I would have gone with it instead.

Caster · Feb 26, 2024

GearHead_1 said:

It is really hard to deny a couple of hundred bucks for better piece of mind with the Steeda. I agree completely with that.

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