Do diff covers work or are they just bling?

[Mooseman]

I just happened upon these videos by Gale Banks and he is on a quest to find out if aftermarket aluminum diff covers help or hurt? He takes a very methodical approach to find out. He has two of three parts up now and an additional video that shows what is actually going on inside the diff. Very interesting stuff!

 

[Mooseman]

Part 2.2

Part 3.1 coming.

 

[Capote]

Very educational man, thanks for posting Looking forward to the hard data.

 

[Blckshdw]

Pretty cool videos, they were very helpful. I sometimes wondered if there was any benefit to the different diff covers besides looks.

 

[Capote]

I know they haven't posted the video with their hard data yet, but the fact that the inner squared surfaces on the aftermarket pans causes some turbulence; has me not wanting to switch to an aftermarket cover.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

I only saw a reason to switch as armor for backing or driving into rocks.

 

[Capote]

I only saw a reason to switch as armor for backing or driving into rocks.

They're perfect for that.

 

[BrianF]

Thanks for the share. I had been reading similar on some other forums as well. But so far I have not had any heat or capacity related issues on my vehicles. Just wish they all had drain and fill plugs standard.

 

[Capote]

Thanks for the share. I had been reading similar on some other forums as well. But so far I have not had any heat or capacity related issues on my vehicles. Just wish they all had drain and fill plugs standard.

You could always weld a bung in a stock diff cover.

 

[Sparky]

The earlier GMT360 rear ends had a drain plug in the bottom of the pumpkin. Newer ones they stopped putting it there, but you could in theory drill and tap that location if you wanted to. It is the round recess in the bottom of the case when viewed from below, towards the cover.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

If anyone wants protection, these are available

http://purplecranium.com/i-88751-envoy-trailblazer-colorado-half-spider-rock-guard.html

 

[Capote]

The earlier GMT360 rear ends had a drain plug in the bottom of the pumpkin. Newer ones they stopped putting it there, but you could in theory drill and tap that location if you wanted to. It is the round recess in the bottom of the case when viewed from below, towards the cover.

They only did that in 2002 right? There was a lot they only did for '02.

 

[Sparky]

I think up through 04 had it. I know the first 8.6" rear that I bought for mine had one. Of course, that one was bad and the one the yard gave me in exchange was an 05 and didn't have the drain plug.

 

[Mooseman]

I had one in my 02. Used it once but I usually opened it to inspect stuff at the same time.

 

[Reprise]

My '03 LWB has it; made for a really clean fluid change last year (decided to not pull the cover as a result)

 

[Capote]

I think up through 04 had it. I know the first 8.6" rear that I bought for mine had one. Of course, that one was bad and the one the yard gave me in exchange was an 05 and didn't have the drain plug.

Mine's an '04, my original 8.6" rear diff didn't have one. The '04 Rainier I got this 3.73 8.0" diff from didn't have one either.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

My 14 has one I think., but I always open up diffs for inspection so I don't consider a drain plug of much worth.

 

[Mooseman]

Part 2.2 added to second post.

 

[SpeedUp]

thanks for sharing! those are really interesting videos, i wondered if those fancy covers did anything.

 

[Sparky]

Some of the commenters are funny. "Obvious sales pitch, he's gonna sell his own cover next!" Um, he just said several times his gut feeling is the axle manufacturers know what they're doing and that aftermarket covers are pointless or maybe even detrimental. Then he's testing his theories and, so far, proving this correct. How this is a sales pitch I have no idea.

Now I don't know if they do as much harm as he suggests they might (do we see guys blowing up rear axles after putting these covers on, not really), but they are still at best pointless bling.

 

[Mooseman]

Part 3 added. So basically designing a new diff cover. I doubt they'll make one for our smaller diffs since they seem to do stuff for the bigger trucks.

Looks like a cool design. (Pun intended )

 

[Sparky]

Guess I get to eat crow. He did make his own. But as he said, who knows whether it'll actually work or not.