Rear diff cover stripped
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 82
Rear diff cover stripped
Revisiting my rear diff cover stripped. The cover was stripped at one of the threads that goes to the rear spring....tried the helicoil but it stripped at only 25lbs torque. Any ideas for a quality repair?
It had a bolt all the way thru with a nut but that looks kind of chinzy.
Weld up and retap? The rear spring is very hard steel and it rubs the bolt on the way causing problems with the threads.
Thanks, Kevin
It had a bolt all the way thru with a nut but that looks kind of chinzy.
Weld up and retap? The rear spring is very hard steel and it rubs the bolt on the way causing problems with the threads.
Thanks, Kevin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,417
Likes: 1,554
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Don't strip the new cover...
When you reinstall your spring just snug up the 4 bolts under the cover and lower down the car and reinstall the end bolts on the spring then with the weight of the car on the wheels tighten the 4 center bolts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,417
Likes: 1,554
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I'm not clear on what you mean about the bolts rubbing.
You put weight on the spring to make it flat, if one tightens the two right bolts and then the left ones with no weight on the spring you can snap a ear off the cover or strip the hole.
You put weight on the spring to make it flat, if one tightens the two right bolts and then the left ones with no weight on the spring you can snap a ear off the cover or strip the hole.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
Is this the 80-82 Aluminum Dana 44 ? Or the Cast Iron earlier one. My Aluminun rear had this happen 25 years ago and the Threads were drilled out and Allen Head Bolts dropped in from the top. Its worked ever since.
