Changing the differential cover

[Mosey]

Hi all, I do fair bit of towing and I am planning on changing my rear diff lube every 30K miles. I know what the manual says about change intervals, but I am changing it anyhow. The question I am wrestling with is if I should replace the cover with one that has a drain plug. I plan on using a Lub Locker gasket rather than RTV. I am currently leaning to reuse the factory cover, but having the convenience of a drain plug is awfully tempting.

I was looking at a G2 cover but they say it will not work on a powerboost. So, who has replaced their diff cover, at what cover did you settle on?

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[Graygoose2021]

I did on my Ram, used a Nitro Gear. Considered my F150, haven't decided on which brand yet

 

[Pedaldude]

One of the things that I always notice changing diff. oil is that there’s always some schmutz left over inside the differential housing even after taking the cover off that a drain plug definitely wouldn’t drain and since there’s no filter for the gear oil; it’s nice to get as much of the old stuff out if you are going to bother changing it.

Gale Banks did a pretty good Youtube series on aftermarket diff. covers that turned out to just be a big product reveal but much of it is applicable, even if you remove the bias.

I have always just used the steel factory cover or an aftermarket equivalent if it was damaged or rusty and a brand name paper gasket with hylomar blue gasket dressing. It won’t leak and also makes cleanup and the next differential service take a fraction of the time. Since it’s always cleaning up the old RTV that takes most of the time.

Good luck and enjoy your truck!

 

[RobertD]

FYI...

 

[HammaMan]

FYI...

Yeah, changing out the diff cover I'd use OEM approved or banks. Watching the results of "popular" aftermarket ones was pretty sad.

 

[Mtnman1]

Hi all, I do fair bit of towing and I am planning on changing my rear diff lube every 30K miles. I know what the manual says about change intervals, but I am changing it anyhow. The question I am wrestling with is if I should replace the cover with one that has a drain plug. I plan on using a Lub Locker gasket rather than RTV. I am currently leaning to reuse the factory cover, but having the convenience of a drain plug is awfully tempting.

I was looking at a G2 cover but they say it will not work on a powerboost. So, who has replaced their diff cover, at what cover did you settle on?

Cant you just drill and tap your own drain?

 

[Mosey]

Cant you just drill and tap your own drain?

The OEM cover is way too thin to tap - IMHO. Others have suggested welding a nut on. I am going with my original plan and just reuse the factory cover with a Lub Locker gasket.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I use a fluid extractor to pull the oil out via the fill plug. Had to install a flexible 7/64" vacuum hose on it to get it around the gears. Pulls all the oil out.

 

[TexasTruck]

...reuse the factory cover with a Lub Locker gasket.

If you have a Super 8-12 bolt, like me, I'm having a difficult time even finding a regular old gasket let alone a reusable gasket like Lub Locker.

If anyone has a source, please share. Thanks.

 

[Mosey]

If you have a Super 8-12 bolt, like me, I'm having a difficult time even finding a regular old gasket let alone a reusable gasket like Lub Locker.

If anyone has a source, please share. Thanks.

My truck has the 9.75 inch differential.

 

[HammaMan]

If you have a Super 8-12 bolt, like me, I'm having a difficult time even finding a regular old gasket let alone a reusable gasket like Lub Locker.

If anyone has a source, please share. Thanks.

The only gasket to use for a diff cover is to thoroughly clean both surfaces with brake parts or similar and use RTV. Everything else will present wet spots in short order.

 

[93dpscoupe]

M-4033-F975. Damn nice cover I use quite often. Made by Dana/Spicer. Nodular Iron, not aluminum and made in the USA.

Either Lube Locker F975 for a gasket, or Permatex 81182 RTV.

Edit - Cheaper to buy the Spicer branded unit. Part #10023539

 

[Hog_Johnson]

I went with these front and rear. Same as the Ford Performance ones for half the price.

Spicer 10023539 Differential Cover (Ford 9.75), 1 Pack https://a.co/d/ddRlehs

 

[SALEEN961]

I welded a M18 oxygen sensor bung into my factory cover and use a magnetic Honda transmission drain plug (90081-PX4-003). I sealed my cover with Permatex 81182 gear oil RTV because I don't plan to remove my cover for routine service, and I have seen significant corrosion damage occur when using the factory gasket.

Using RTV really helps to prevent the cover bolts from seizing, and you don't have to worry about the rust jacking that happens with the factory gasket that can damage the diff cover and leave the axle housing severely pitted. I've also seen rust jacking and corrosion pitting with many aftermarket diff covers that use o-ring seals, and I strongly recommend using RTV unless you plan to remove the cover and clean the mating surfaces often.

 

[amschind]

Ford Performance Rear Diff Cover

I love mine. I had it installed as the spare tire crossmember is 2" in front of it and I don't have a lift. The two fill holes: bottom is your fill hole, top is if you're running a Raptor at high speeds and foaming the gear oil, you can overfill it and keep the gears working (i.e. don't use the top fill port).

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