12 bolt diff cover

[cb1965]

will aftermarket diff covers interfere with the trac bar? ive seen some chrome ones on ebay and wanted to make sure they fit before i bought one. not having luck locating a good original one. junkyards poke holes in them to drain the fluid(stupid)..
this one???
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Summit-Racin...c39bba&vxp=mtr

[Captainfab]

The one in the link should clear just fine. The ones that interfere with the panhard bars are the cast aluminum ones. They are thicker than the stamped steel covers.

[cb1965]

ok. thanks captain

[scotts62]

If it is a chrome one grind the chrome off the seal side or it will leak later.

[chevyguys]

Originally Posted by scotts62

If it is a chrome one grind the chrome off the seal side or it will leak later.

I always do this or it will leak every time.

My aftermarket steel one clears by maybe 1/8 of an inch. Aluminum covers would never work.

[chevyguys]

Originally Posted by cb1965

will aftermarket diff covers interfere with the trac bar? ive seen some chrome ones on ebay and wanted to make sure they fit before i bought one. not having luck locating a good original one. junkyards poke holes in them to drain the fluid(stupid)..
this one???
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Summit-Racin...c39bba&vxp=mtr

This is the same cover I bought. Don't use the bolts that come with the cover, they are VERY VERY cheap and too long (they bottom out on some holes)

[cb1965]

ok. i will grind it. why do some ppl just use sealant and not a gasket? personal prefference or is there an advantage? i already have the gasket but just wanted to know.

[chevyguys]

Originally Posted by cb1965

ok. i will grind it. why do some ppl just use sealant and not a gasket? personal prefference or is there an advantage? i already have the gasket but just wanted to know.

I always use the gasket but I only put sealant on the cover side. This way you can pull it off and not have to scrape all of the sealant off of the rearend. However, to do this, the rearend must be clean and smooth. It's all in the prep. Also, make sure not to overtighten the bolts which will distort the cover. I don't remember what the official torque is but it's not much (maybe 12 foot pounds). I've done it so many times over the years I don't even think about it any more.

[cb1965]

also is there a trick to changing the pinion seal?

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by cb1965

also is there a trick to changing the pinion seal?

Yes, i zip the bolt off and yoke and smack the pinion with a brass drift or hammer with wood block to get some free play in the bearing so after you replace the seal you can tell how much play you have so you dont over tighten the nut and too much preload on the bearing. If you tighten it too much you will crush the crush sleeve more than it needs and be tearing into it.