Front Differential brace

[bfastr]

SO today I installed a front Diff brace from VASfab.com. no affiliation with them, but after reading posts of front diffs exploding I went for it.
I will probably never drive where I stress my diff that hard, but it seems even the people that blow them up are just backing up in 4L.

anyway, in order to install it I had to remove the stupid fabric diaper and its rear mount. Maybe some one can tell me why that is there is the first place? The only thing I can figure is that it must be for sound, Maybe it keeps front end noise from reflecting off the ground into the cab of the truck? it sure doesnt seem like it offers any real protection. and any small stones that might fly up into that area arent hitting anything fragile that I can tell. maybe the power steering motor, but even that isnt in the direct line of fire.

so for the time being I guess I will save the diaper and its mount in case I decide to remove the brace if or when I sell / trade the truck. but I honestly doubt anyone would look under and say "where's your diaper" .

anyone speculate on its purpose? I thought about cutting a notch in it and finding a way to secure the back end. and may still investigate that. but looking at the top of the diaper I now know where the oil dripped during my oil changes.

no pictures of the brace installed. I dont have a lift and the camera is way too close. but it dropped right in. very impressed

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[UncleFester]

I asked a tech at the dealer about the fiber cover and he said noise reduction. First oil change I tossed it, didn't notice any sound difference.

 

[JohngaltinOC]

SO today I installed a front Diff brace from VASfab.com. no affiliation with them, but after reading posts of front diffs exploding I went for it.
I will probably never drive where I stress my diff that hard, but it seems even the people that blow them up are just backing up in 4L.

anyway, in order to install it I had to remove the stupid fabric diaper and its rear mount. Maybe some one can tell me why that is there is the first place? The only thing I can figure is that it must be for sound, Maybe it keeps front end noise from reflecting off the ground into the cab of the truck? it sure doesnt seem like it offers any real protection. and any small stones that might fly up into that area arent hitting anything fragile that I can tell. maybe the power steering motor, but even that isnt in the direct line of fire.

so for the time being I guess I will save the diaper and its mount in case I decide to remove the brace if or when I sell / trade the truck. but I honestly doubt anyone would look under and say "where's your diaper" .

anyone speculate on its purpose? I thought about cutting a notch in it and finding a way to secure the back end. and may still investigate that. but looking at the top of the diaper I now know where the oil dripped during my oil changes.

no pictures of the brace installed. I dont have a lift and the camera is way too close. but it dropped right in. very impressed

So is this going to affect / mitigate the issue with the front diff issue everyone is talking about?

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

So is this going to affect / mitigate the issue with the front diff issue everyone is talking about?

Yeah how is this installed? What makes anyone think this would mitigate shit castings?

 

[Hog_Johnson]

So is this going to affect / mitigate the issue with the front diff issue everyone is talking about?

Looking at how it mounts I don't think it will help with that at all.

 

[jhelrey]

I'd remove it if you blow your front diff... before towing it to the dealership.

 

[Snakebitten]

It's a nice brace and I have put it on a couple of trucks. The fellas that like to boost launch say it addresses wheel hop and calms things down up front with torque moving that differential around.
If you look at how Ford mounts the front diff, it has no bolt attached to the attachment point to address one of the axis in play. That diff brace uses that unused mounting hole in the differential housing that seems to the logical way to reduce undesirable flex.

I don't think it will help enough with a seriously flawed casting. Certainly not some of the pictured ones on the forum. But I do think it improves and supports the integrity of housing.

 

[brfertig]

Ouch. Found this... 2021 F150 XLT Powerboost Lifted front differential cracked - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

 

[Snakebitten]

There's several horrible looking front differential housing failures on this forum too. Theory being some seriously flawed casting.
Unmodified trucks too.

 

[brfertig]

Yeah how is this installed? What makes anyone think this would mitigate shit castings?

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