Heavy Duty Axle Differential Cover Installation Write-Up

J

jpone

Member
Just followed this excellent write up and serviced the rear diff on my own for the first time. Worked flawlessly. Two questions if anyone can help;

1. Like a few of the folks above, the rear diff only took two quarts with the OEM cover. I assume this is because the fluid has not circulated, and after driving a bit, it will need the additional .375?

2. Did not like the way the excess "Right Stuff" that squeezed out around the edges looked. Cleaned it off gently with a blade before it completely hardened. Did I blow it? Will it effect the seal because I did not just leave the excess?
 
W

Wranglerjk2014

New member
registered to these forums just to express my gratitude for this tutorial. Thank you very much guys.


I hope I left my gears squeaky clean.
 

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WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
wayoflife said:
Instructions
This is a pic of all the things you will get with a SOLID Dana 44 differential cover. Different covers will come with different bolts and even if yours comes with basic RTV, I would highly recommend that you use The Right Stuff by Permatex instead. Make sure that you have everything in the list above before you begin this project.
main.php
Click to expand...

Lol. Glad to see Eddie's been using this Right Stuff in can since 2013. I just used it for the first time a couple months ago and thought it was a new product. Absolutely love it, especially the pressurized can. I'll never go back to RTV in a tube.
 
D

Dezdan

New member
So, digging up this old topic….
I just installed a SOLID cover on my rear D44 and made the mistake of filling it all the way to the fill hole like you do on factory covers – mostly out of habit. Took a quick spin to the store, came home with a mess. I obviously way over filled it with what I am guessing was 3+ quarts (it was hard to tell because I was pumping out of a gallon w/no sight).

Here is my dilemma: Factory spec calls for 2 quarts on a D44, however, the SOLID cover protrudes outward much further then the factory cover. When you put 2 quarts in a D44 with a SOLID cover, the gear oil level will not raise as high on the gears as it does with the factory cover. Is that an issue? I think yes and that it should be filled to the bottom of the tubes. It seems to be a fine line filling it up!

~Dan
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
Dezdan said:
So, digging up this old topic….
I just installed a SOLID cover on my rear D44 and made the mistake of filling it all the way to the fill hole like you do on factory covers – mostly out of habit. Took a quick spin to the store, came home with a mess. I obviously way over filled it with what I am guessing was 3+ quarts (it was hard to tell because I was pumping out of a gallon w/no sight).

Here is my dilemma: Factory spec calls for 2 quarts on a D44, however, the SOLID cover protrudes outward much further then the factory cover. When you put 2 quarts in a D44 with a SOLID cover, the gear oil level will not raise as high on the gears as it does with the factory cover. Is that an issue? I think yes and that it should be filled to the bottom of the tubes. It seems to be a fine line filling it up!

~Dan
Click to expand...

In spite of what you think you're seeing, the diff cover does NOT give you more fluid capacity. You want to just fill it up with the factory amount. If you have any doubts, use a zip tie as a dip stick to check the level. When you have the right amount in, the fluid should be sitting at just about the base of the axle tubes.
 
WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
Dezdan said:
So, digging up this old topic….
I just installed a SOLID cover on my rear D44 and made the mistake of filling it all the way to the fill hole like you do on factory covers – mostly out of habit. Took a quick spin to the store, came home with a mess. I obviously way over filled it with what I am guessing was 3+ quarts (it was hard to tell because I was pumping out of a gallon w/no sight).

Here is my dilemma: Factory spec calls for 2 quarts on a D44, however, the SOLID cover protrudes outward much further then the factory cover. When you put 2 quarts in a D44 with a SOLID cover, the gear oil level will not raise as high on the gears as it does with the factory cover. Is that an issue? I think yes and that it should be filled to the bottom of the tubes. It seems to be a fine line filling it up!

~Dan
Click to expand...

wayoflife said:
In spite of what you think you're seeing, the diff cover does NOT give you more fluid capacity. You want to just fill it up with the factory amount. If you have any doubts, use a zip tie as a dip stick to check the level. When you have the right amount in, the fluid should be sitting at just about the base of the axle tubes.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Every aftermarket diff cover I have used says right in the instructions to use factory volume capacities. SOLID themselves say to do the same:

http://www.solidaxle.com/PDF/Diff_Cover_Selection_Guide.pdf
 
Rud

Rud

New member
Now you tell me.......

Like most mods I see I thought those covers were for show. Learned the hard way Friday. 13179425_1698331333717033_4566143805228218558_n.jpg 13254275_1698331313717035_4956192509798327891_n.jpg
 
catahoula

catahoula

Caught the Bug
Ok I have a 30 and a 44. No lockers or limited slip. I have found Royal Purple Marine Grade 80-90. Is that acceptable to use or is there a different automotive grade? Also, anybody know the correct bolts for the front 30 cover. Depth, size, etc. Reason I have a diff skid plate I am removing and lost my original bolts and this skid plate came with longer bolts. Thanks!
 
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