Rear differential brace

[2020FordRaptor]

Why is the ID Speed brace better? Because it costs more? Because it’s over engineered? I do agree it's very nice but my point is that no one is having diff. or bolt breakage failures (or at least that I have heard of or read) with the use of any of the aftermarket diff. braces. You can argue certain braces prevent certain articulation or twist of the diff., but again, no one is having failures with any type of added brace. I have the AWR on my ST and I tow at times to the very max GVW & GCWR in hilly mountains. Absolutely no issues what so ever. IMO, any diff brace is a good piece of mind upgrade.

Yes it does cost more, no it is not over engineered, it is properly engineered. Two people already have had their diff bolt still snap with AWR. The AWR because it is a one side support, puts more stress on the one bolt then other supports, because it is causing a torsional affect on the rear differential. Sure, for most people it may be adequate, but there is no doubt the ID-Speed is better designed and protects the bolt more adequately.

 

[SugarMouth]

I appreciate this info and I’m liking the looks/functionality of the ID speed brace. They made the bushing out of EPDM for a reason that makes sense to me. Very useful input thank you!

While you are in there install the diff bolt as well. https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-4463-explorer-extreme-single-differential-bolt-kit https://houstonspeedfreaks.com/products/hsf-upgraded-rear-differential-bolt

 

[UNBROKEN]

Why is the ID Speed brace better? Because it costs more? Because its over engineered? I do agree it's very nice but my point is that no one is having diff. or bolt breakage failures (or at least that I have heard of or read) with the use of any of the aftermarket diff. braces. You can argue certain braces prevent certain articulation or twist of the diff., but again, no one is having failures with any type of added brace. I have the AWR on my ST and I tow at times to the very max GVW & GCWR in hilly mountains. Absolutely no issues what so ever. IMO, any diff brace is a good piece of mind upgrade.

The ID Speed and Livernois braces are the only ones on the market that haven’t had a failure, and that includes AWR cracking at the bolt holes and diff bolt breakage even with it installed.
The world record 1/4 mile ST runs ID…hard to put one through harder testing than Kathy has.

 

[Caster]

The ID Speed and Livernois braces are the only ones on the market that haven’t had a failure, and that includes AWR cracking at the bolt holes and diff bolt breakage even with it installed.
The world record 1/4 mile ST runs ID…hard to put one through harder testing than Kathy has.

Maybe I'm protected a little more since I have the JXB bushing insert with the AWR brace and an upgraded diff. bolt.. It evens things out more.

 

[Mustang5L5]

This kind of makes me wonder how many of us with the 3 bolt diffs are driving around with a bent rear bolt lol.

Kind tempted to check mine, but I also don't want witness marks on the bolt in case there is an issue.

I also think if i go through the trouble of removing the bolt to check it, i might as well install a brand new one.

 

[Berky]

Has anyone heard of a ford dealer installing the upgraded hardened diff bolt? If ford is aware of this potential weak point, it would be cool to have this done at the dealership for warranty purposes. For my driving style, this would suffice.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

No it wouldn’t. The upgraded bolt does nothing by itself. Even if you dont launch often, even a little harder driving can just bend it or snap it still.

 

[Berky]

No it wouldn’t. The upgraded bolt does nothing by itself. Even if you dont launch often, even a little harder driving can just bend it or snap it still.

Yeah I understand. I’m grasping lol

 

[Mustang5L5]

No it wouldn’t. The upgraded bolt does nothing by itself. Even if you dont launch often, even a little harder driving can just bend it or snap it still.

Agree, the bolt alone isn't the end-all cure for the issue. A class 12.9 is only about ~15% stronger than a 10.9 bolt, but one downside is that it is more brittle. SO while the Ford bolt may bend as it approaches failure, the 12.9 bolt will resist this much better, but then just snap when it reaches it's breaking point.

 

[SugarMouth]

Yeah, the bolt alone isn't the end-all cure for the issue. A class 12.9 is only about ~15% stronger than a 10.9 bolt, but one downside is that it is more brittle. SO while the Ford bolt may bend as it approaches failure, the 12.9 bolt will resist this much better, but then just snap when it reaches it's breaking point.

This is one thing that has me thinking about putting a factory bolt back in. With the addition of a diff brace, I think I might prefer a bolt to bend more before a break.

Has there been anyone who has broken a 12.9 bolt with a brace?

 

[Mustang5L5]

I think it all depends on which brace one uses. There are many designs now. Some like the steeda brace support both sides, so there would likely be very little torsional force due to asymmetric support. And then there are some of the older "classic" designs that brace on one side and might cause some twist in the diff as it loads up. I'm just speculating here as i do not have any real world data to base anything off.

But it's a good question. Tried to comb through the FB groups to see if anyone snapped a bolt with a brace, but everything i found was all hearsay type posts where someone's mother's father's cousin broke a upgrade bolt while idling in the school drop off line.