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New Product: Steeda S550 Diff Bushings

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By EditorTurner

New Product: Steeda S550 Diff Bushings

Plug and Stay

Steeda Autosports offers a bolt-in solution for taming your S550’s Super 8.8

By Steve Turner
Photos by Steve Turner and courtesy of Steeda Autosports

The 2015 Mustangs are impressive machines. Ford engineers really brought the handling of these pony cars up a notch with a double ball joint front suspension and an independent rear suspension. However, we know all to well that those clever engineers have to strike a balance between ride quality and performance.

If you own a 2015-and-up Mustang that sees mostly street duty, you’ll want the S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System (PN 555-4439; $99.95). This system includes two sets of urethane bushing inserts. The red inserts are 80 durometer and the black bushings are a bit stiffer at 90 durometer.
If you own a 2015-and-up Mustang that sees mostly street duty, you’ll want the S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System (PN 555-4439; $99.95). This system includes two sets of urethane bushing inserts. The red inserts are 80 durometer and the black bushings are a bit stiffer at 90 durometer.

One such concession to meeting the required noise, vibration, and harshness standards is the soft set of bushings that serve to mount the Super 8.8 differential in its cradle. These rubber bushings are soft, which allow them to compress and move to isolate driveline noise from the chassis. Unfortunately, that movement can let the pinion angle change, contribute to wheel hop, and reduce traction.

Replacing the factory bushings is a time-consuming, labor-intensive exercise, as they must be cutout out of the cradle. Thankfully the clever crew at Steeda Autosports has created an easy, bolt-in way to get the diff movement under control—the company’s S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System.

For those hitting the racetrack, Steeda offers the more aggressive Billet Aluminum S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System (PN 555-4440; $94.95). This system offers the most stable differential, but it will introduce some of that noise, vibration and harshness, so it is recommended for competition use only.
For those hitting the racetrack, Steeda offers the more aggressive Billet Aluminum S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System (PN 555-4440; $94.95). This system offers the most stable differential, but it will introduce some of that noise, vibration and harshness, so it is recommended for competition use only.

Available in two configurations—Street Performance (PN 555-4439; $99.95), and Race (PN 555-4440; $94.95)—the Steeda inserts simply bolt in and bolster the factory bushings with either higher-durometer urethane or give-free aluminum inserts. The latter will increase NVH, while the urethane versions are said to improve performance with no NVH side-effects.

Because of its bolt-in design, the S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System will let you swap the various inserts based on how much diff control you desire. If you want the option of using the full range of inserts, Steeda offers this Combo Kit (PN 555-4442; $169.95), which includes the 80-durometer red inserts, the 90-durometer black inserts, and the give-free aluminum inserts.
Because of its bolt-in design, the S550 Mustang Differential Bushing Insert System will let you swap the various inserts based on how much diff control you desire. If you want the option of using the full range of inserts, Steeda offers this Combo Kit (PN 555-4442; $169.95), which includes the 80-durometer red inserts, the 90-durometer black inserts, and the give-free aluminum inserts.

“Steeda’s kit adds the strength and support the OEM bushings need to perform the way our customers intended. Once again, this is not a permanent modification—there is no drilling, cutting or pressing required,” David Jacobs, Director of Optimization at Steeda, explained. “Simply loosen and remove a couple of bolts and this kit installs in less than one hour. Bushings are included for both the front and rear differential mounting locations in addition to grade 10.9 hardware with zinc-plated washers.”

To see what kind of difference the inserts make, you can watch the company’s comparison video here…

And, because the inserts are an easy, bolt-in solution, Steeda also offers a combination kit (PN 555-4442; $169.95), which includes both urethane inserts and the aluminum inserts. This way you can quickly dial in more differential control based on how you’ll be driving your Mustang.

Steeda built this display to compare and contrast the stock independent rear suspension gear (left) with its upgraded parts (right). From this view you can see how the stock bushing compares to the version upgraded with Steeda’s race insert.
Steeda built this display to compare and contrast the stock independent rear suspension gear (left) with its upgraded parts (right). From this view you can see how the stock bushing compares to the version upgraded with Steeda’s race insert.

 

Just remove the factory fasteners one at a time and install the Steeda bushing inserts. For the street you can choose between the 80-durometer red or the 90-durometer black urethane bushings, and for the track you can put in these aluminum inserts.
Just remove the factory fasteners one at a time and install the Steeda bushing inserts. For the street you can choose between the 80-durometer red or the 90-durometer black urethane bushings, and for the track you can put in these aluminum inserts.
The Steeda inserts install in about an hour with new grade 10.9 hardware and zinc-plated washers. That makes it easy to change the inserts to match your driving environment.
The Steeda inserts install in about an hour with new grade 10.9 hardware and zinc-plated washers. That makes it easy to change the inserts to match your driving environment.

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