When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
hello. Im looking for a remedy to my problem. I took off the spring support bracket from my differential. When I did, gear lube started dripping out. I thought, great, someone used the wrong bolts and cracked the cover. When I took the cover off I discovered a small hole in the cover (see pic). Short of buying a new cover, how can I fix this without being bubba? Ive heard welding/brazing cast is tricky. Do you think I could drill and tap it and put in a plug?
Thanks in advance for any ideas to remedy this.
I put a flashlight behind to show the hole.
Last edited by Radman2112; Mar 30, 2020 at 12:08 AM.
Brazing cast iron is very straight forward. The secret is that the iron needs to be pre-heated before brazing. Sometimes the affected area might need some grinding work first. T
You can also just mig weld it after you clean it up. Use a MAP gas torch to preheat and post heat. It will be fine, done it many times. One word of caution is to check for cracks before heating. If there are cracks, the heating/welding process can make them propogate. If there are cracks you can still weld it up, but you will have to drill the cracks first.
not sure if it's worth it, buy the time you get the required tools n equipment, costs can add up.
Z i p sells reconditioned for 80$ or new for 150$..
Thanks.
I was looking at Van Steel and they were around $200, so I figured they were all around that price. Didn't think about reconditioned. I have no problem buying a reconditioned one, especially at half the price.
Last edited by Radman2112; Mar 30, 2020 at 11:37 PM.
There is a Heavy Duty unit that is sold by some vendors. Its claimed theirs has "more meat" in the areas called the ears. That area was prone to cracking on some model yrs. do to the stress from the spring, plus it was a thinner casting.
Try Muskegon Brake for a H.D. cover. Last time I looked they were $125 ish + shp. Then you will need a gasket, fluid, etc.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Mar 31, 2020 at 08:57 AM.
The best HD covers have been made by Muskegon for about 35 years or more. You can buy direct from them, call Jeff Cady. There are other HD covers on the market for less, they are Chinese knockoffs, just as with any knock off they are made cheaper in sell quick but are not the same quality. The knockoffs I have been sent by those thinking they saved a buck had the holes too close the side walls. So much so they had to be cut to allow a socket to fit.
You can buy used covers from a lot of places they range from $50-$100. They have thinner flanges and ears that will snap if the spring is not loaded correctly or you hit a pothole. Given the amount of work to replace a cover- why go back to a weaker part? use the best and be done with it. Sorry not trying to offend anyone but sometimes a blunt statement is needed to make the point.
Thanks. I've decided to go with coil overs so I don't think the spring mount will be a factor. I suppose if I ever want to change back it would. I will still look into the hd covers.
Last edited by Radman2112; Mar 31, 2020 at 11:40 PM.
Just an update. I decided to get a new heavy duty cover. It was $150. It came today and it looks nice. Thanks to all for the suggestions and advice. It wasnt my first choice but after thinking about it, it was the most logical.. Stay safe and well.
Diff cover
