Differential covers 101

[agesilaus]

PU Truck mag


That answered a lot of my questions about these covers. Extra large ones may not make a lot of sense because they disturb the oil flow in the housing.

[larry_barnhart]

I have serviced our Chev rear end 10 times. 100K miles. Chevman

[Bird_Freak]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I would imagine that most people never change the differential fluid or even think about it. Just like transfer cases on a 4x4, out of sight, out of mind.

Me, I'll keep my stamped metal covers. Don't need no stinking aluminum ones.

On Class 8 trucks, the only time the fluid gets changed is if there is a component failure and even then if there is no collaterial damage (metal in the fluid), it just gets topped off, not changed.

Finally Class 8 gearboxes are filled for life, no change needed.

When I worked for Saunders Leasing we rented class 8 trucks. Rear ends and gear boxes were serviced every 90K miles.

[FishOnOne]

GeoBoy wrote:
Hey Fish, I do the same thing with my rims, except I use Bon-Ami or Barkeeper Friend, cleans without scratching.:W

Thanks for the tip GeoBoy.... next time I'm in wal mart (aka deer camp) I'll look for these.

[GeoBoy]

Hey Fish, I do the same thing with my rims, except I use Bon-Ami or Barkeeper Friend, cleans without scratching.:W

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Fish be HONEST, what date were these pics taken? Looks like a highway princess that has no idea what a deer camp looks like.

"with a steel finned factory cover" where are the fins???

Yes mine chattered on take off turning towing 33-35k combined but I had exceeded the time limit for towing heavy on my first change. Not sure your diff has seen a hard days work as mine does at 35k combined.

My mistake on the steel finned factory cover. I should have said steel stamped factory cover. I suppose if I took a picture of my engines oil pan you would be saying my truck has 10k miles and hauls creampuffs.

Again be honest how many miles on the truck when the pic was taken???

Not busted.... I took these pictures when I rotated my tires about ~7k miles ago. I typically clean the ID of the rims with commet and a plastic bristle brush

Deer Camp at the Walmart parking lot??? :B

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Fish be HONEST, what date were these pics taken? Looks like a highway princess that has no idea what a deer camp looks like.

"with a steel finned factory cover" where are the fins???

Yes mine chattered on take off turning towing 33-35k combined but I had exceeded the time limit for towing heavy on my first change. Not sure your diff has seen a hard days work as mine does at 35k combined.

My mistake on the steel finned factory cover. I should have said steel stamped factory cover. I suppose if I took a picture of my engines oil pan you would be saying my truck has 10k miles and hauls creampuffs.

Again be honest how many miles on the truck when the pic was taken???

Not busted.... I took these pictures when I rotated my tires about ~7k miles ago. I typically clean the ID of the rims with commet and a plastic bristle brush

[Cummins12V98]

HA, yea he is busted!!!

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Fish be HONEST, what date were these pics taken? Looks like a highway princess that has no idea what a deer camp looks like.

"with a steel finned factory cover" where are the fins???

Yes mine chattered on take off turning towing 33-35k combined but I had exceeded the time limit for towing heavy on my first change. Not sure your diff has seen a hard days work as mine does at 35k combined.

My mistake on the steel finned factory cover. I should have said steel stamped factory cover. I suppose if I took a picture of my engines oil pan you would be saying my truck has 10k miles and hauls creampuffs.

Again be honest how many miles on the truck when the pic was taken???

[blofgren]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is what a properly maintained diff looks like that tows 33-35k combined, with an aluminum finned factory cover.

This is what a proper diff looks like that tows, hauls, exposed to salt water with a steel finned factory cover, with no leaks, no adding amzoil to eliminate chatter, no after market non sense, no bs having to inspect gears and that non sense, no maintenance after 6.5years and 155k miles. As a matter of fact I used the Electronic Locking Diff (ELD)Lock this morning while getting out of the deer camp while pouring down rain.

OK, Fish that undercarriage looks pretty darn clean....are you under there hand washing all of the components and repainting them? :B There's not even any brake dust in the inside of those wheels....

[dodge_guy]

Not sure what Rancho shocks have to do with diff covers, but I have had Ranchos on 3 different vehicle, currently have the 9000`s on my X never had an issue. I like them. Its nice to be able to adjust for ride quality when towing or not!

[FishOnOne]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Bilsteins are like Rancho, pay for the name. Like bino's, buy Swarovski for 2 grand or buy Vortex for a grand. The Swaro's are marginally better but not a thousand bucks better. I have a pair of 10-40's. Only reason I have them is got them used for a grand.

I put the Skyjackers through some pretty hard times off road and never had issue one with leaks or fade. I had a Rancho steering damper that started leaking less than 6 months after I put it on.

Even Rancho is better than Nonroe Shocks. Those are real junk.

IMO Rancho shocks are not the quality pieces they used to be. I guess I'm going to find out on the Bilsteins. Haven't had them since my '92 Chevy Z71.

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Fish be HONEST, what date were these pics taken? Looks like a highway princess that has no idea what a deer camp looks like.

"with a steel finned factory cover" where are the fins???

Yes mine chattered on take off turning towing 33-35k combined but I had exceeded the time limit for towing heavy on my first change. Not sure your diff has seen a hard days work as mine does at 35k combined.

My mistake on the steel finned factory cover. I should have said steel stamped factory cover. I suppose if I took a picture of my engines oil pan you would be saying my truck has 10k miles and hauls creampuffs.

[Cummins12V98]

Fish be HONEST, what date were these pics taken? Looks like a highway princess that has no idea what a deer camp looks like.

"with a steel finned factory cover" where are the fins???

Yes mine chattered on take off turning towing 33-35k combined but I had exceeded the time limit for towing heavy on my first change. Not sure your diff has seen a hard days work as mine does at 35k combined.

[time2roll]

ib516 wrote:
What do shocks have to do with rear diffs? LOL

All about the "look" to set the truck apart from others.

People spend tons to change the cosmetic look that adds no function. Sometimes shocks and diff covers could actually improve something.