Do Diff Covers Work? Gale Banks wants to know.

ShuttlePilot · 08-20-2018, 08:23 AM

Hi Friends of the forum. This piekd my interest not that I have had any problem with my rear axle but because I LOVE TESTING. Nothing bugs me more than sitting in a meeting with a bunch of engineers yammering on about what could be happening. Here Gale Banks is posing question do the big sump finned diff covers actually have a benefit. This is just the introduction video of what I'm hoping will be an in depth series in the near future. Thought others might enjoy this.

- Eric

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4DQ-jzKQRw

shenrie · 08-20-2018, 08:46 AM

this will be interesting. thanks for posting!

arctictraveller · 08-20-2018, 12:45 PM

I'm looking forward to hearing the results. I do know overfilling is a problem. I once rotated onto a ship with a hydraulic bowthruster that had the hydraulic pump run off a large gearbox on the main engine. The first time I fired it up, within about 10 minutes, the entire gearbox got so hot it began smoking. What I discovered was that someone had overfilled the gearbox. Once I drained it down to the proper level, it returned to normal operating temps. More is not always better.

REF · 08-20-2018, 01:07 PM

Any overfill on your diffs will be waste gated out the breather tubes, prob a bit different than those closed systems on boats.
I had a mag-hytec rear diff cover put on when my full float was built, figured anything I can do to help dissipate heat the better, will be interested in seeing results.

WhitH · 08-20-2018, 03:14 PM

Watched this over the weekend. I'm also interested in seeing what the results are since this is I believe the rear end that is in my van.

Twoxentrix · 08-20-2018, 04:30 PM

Anxiously awaiting the results - certainly will be interesting.

MSD · 08-20-2018, 09:20 PM

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MadScience · 08-21-2018, 12:25 AM

Their temperature with the stock cover is surprisingly high. I would have hoped that 60 mph air flow would have been enough to keep it a bit more in check.

Now I wonder what mine has hit pulling a 5k lb trailer over Donner pass in the summer at 45 mph. Perhaps I should change the oil in it.

TomsBeast · 08-21-2018, 07:26 AM

Great stuff from Gale Banks... I always figured the finned aluminum diff covers did nothing but lighten your wallet, I guess we'll see, now that someone is applying some real engineering. 336 deg F, wow!

REDOVAL · 08-21-2018, 08:55 AM

I did an ARB cover on mine, but primarily for the increased rigidity added to the cap area since it's nodular iron and the added dipstick and drain plug. Does it work...no clue, but servicing it is far easier now so the lube changes aren't easy to put off.

Scott