Suggestions for new Diff covers

[Overwatch]

I'm not sure about you but I hate our new diff covers don't allow me to drain it easily. I get that we can take them off, which you should do to inspect them, but sometimes I just want to change the fluid and move on. Anyone have a specific suggestion for really good, and strong, diff covers for the 392?

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[chevymitchell]

I'm not sure about you but I hate our new diff covers don't allow me to drain it easily. I get that we can take them off, which you should do to inspect them, but sometimes I just want to change the fluid and move on. Anyone have a specific suggestion for really good, and strong, diff covers for the 392?

Diff cover drain plugs are a terrible idea.

They will never be low enough to drain the sump of the diff & any drain plug exposed on the lowest point of the cover will be immediately destroyed.

Not draining the sump defeats the purpose of changing the fluid.

The diff fluid is meant to last a very, very long time. Easily 60k miles or more. Taking the covers off once every 60k miles is very low maintenance.

Did you happen to mean... "allow me to FILL it easily."?

 

[Overwatch]

Diff cover drain plugs are a terrible idea.

They will never be low enough to drain the sump of the diff & any drain plug exposed on the lowest point of the cover will be immediately destroyed.

Not draining the sump defeats the purpose of changing the fluid.

The diff fluid is meant to last a very, very long time. Easily 60k miles or more. Taking the covers off once every 60k miles is very low maintenance.

Did you happen to mean... "allow me to FILL it easily."?

I've always been taught that when you go through deep water or mud you should change out the fluids. I'd rather change out what I can easily as a preventative measure than wait longer just because I doin't feel like doing a full reseal. Add in a magnetic plug to grab the smaller bits and it's a great idea to me. I also don't wait 60,000 miles on a jeep that actually goes off-road, that seems far too long. Again, no offense, you do what makes you happy. As a side note our current covers are rock magnets and a stronger one will always help you....if you off-road.

 

[chevymitchell]

I've always been taught that when you go through deep water or mud you should change out the fluids. I'd rather change out what I can easily as a preventative measure than wait longer just because I doin't feel like doing a full reseal. Add in a magnetic plug to grab the smaller bits and it's a great idea to me. I also don't wait 60,000 miles on a jeep that actually goes off-road, that seems far too long. Again, no offense, you do what makes you happy. As a side note our current covers are rock magnets and a stronger one will always help you....if you off-road.

I certainly off-road. I do the same with my diffs.

I was just saying that a diff cover drain plug is not worth the convenience.

No offense taken on my part. I'd focus on buying a cover that will strengthen the housing and has decent fluid dynamics built in. Outside of that, the factory ones don't fail on these JL's like they did on the JK.

The factory JL covers use a gasket, so it's very fast and clean to just take it off.

Don't forget to pot your sensors when the cover is off.

 

[Overwatch]

Potting the sensors will take out the warranty, I've got 7 more years before that's a worry for me. After my JK ate it's gears I learned my lesson. If I can Jeep to pay for something I will.

 

[supermike]

you don't need to take the cover off to change the fluid.
but I do have AEV covers on mine, thay have huge fill caps and you can inspect the gears....

 

[Tank the Jeep]

 

[21xtremewrangler]

Arb

 

[CarbonSteel]

^^^^ this ^^^^

Very reasonably priced and built like tanks.

 

[Overwatch]

Thanks all, I'll pick up the ARB ones!

 

[Overwatch]

you don't need to take the cover off to change the fluid.
but I do have AEV covers on mine, thay have huge fill caps and you can inspect the gears....

Can you explain this one to me please? I've been taking them off, if I only loosen the bottom it doesn't really work. How are you doing it?

 

[John VonJeep]

Lubelockers make it a lot easier to get your diff cover back on.

I friggin’ HATE working with RTV.

 

[supermike]

Can you explain this one to me please? I've been taking them off, if I only loosen the bottom it doesn't really work. How are you doing it?

the diff housing on JLs has drain and fill plugs.

 

[supermike]

Lubelockers make it a lot easier to get your diff cover back on.

I friggin’ HATE working with RTV.

Actually the gasket came on JLs are reusable and has brass washers and are in much higher quality than expected. I have reused them couple times and on different vehicles and never leaks.
Lubelockers is indeed a good alternative.

 

[Overwatch]

the diff housing on JLs has drain and fill plugs.

No it doesn't....you sure you have a 392?

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