Differential Problem

Hi guys. I'm new here, so excuse me if I sound a bit unlearned. I'm new to Thunderbirds as well. Anyway, I just purchased a '94 Thunderbird LX, with 166k on a 3.8L v6, and noticed a couple days later that under heavy stress, the differential was making a loud thump and jerking the vehicle. I took it to a shop, and raised it up, only to find that my "major problem" was a small $15 bushing that rides on the stud above the passenger side of the differential. Upon taking it to the Ford dealership, they told me it would require 4 hours of work, totalling $330 for the fix. I don't know much about it, but I'm wondering if all that much is really necessary. I'm guessing the entire differential will have to be taken out, but 4 hours? Is there any better way to fix this?

No not really unless you do it yourself to save from their labor. What is their labor rate by the way? Ours is $60 an hour(Bainbridge GA)

I'm in BFE, VA, otherwise known as Galax. Ford dealerships are about one every 40 miles, and they all charge way too much. I have a friend that's gonna help me do it and let me use his garage, so hopefully it'll go smoothly... hopefully.

Oh yeah, forgot, is there any cheaper place to get the bushing than the dealership? ($16) It's not that expensive, I'm just curious.

You could check with a parts store, but I wouldn't suggest it there parts are not as good in quality for this kind of part.