Actually I've done all the things above with the exception of the orientation of the carrier mount.. meaning I'm not sure if its installed backwards. I can't see how this could matter but perhaps it does.

Funny thing is.. I marked my DS when removing it and when I installed it I noticed that it had factory alignment marks. I ignored my marks and aligned it per the factory notches.

Got a TON of vibration from 30mph +

Removed and re-installed with my marks and now have way less vibration but some is still present.

I'm thinking either the DS is messed up in some way OR perhaps I'm getting more vibration because I only replaced the rear flex joint and not the front one.

Thing is I can feel the vibration coming from the rear section of the DS.. not the front where I would presume it was if that flex joint was going bad.