D44 Solid Diff Cover

[RickyPal]

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience running the Solid diff cover on the M210 Dana 44 axle. I like the look of the brand, and was looking at upgrading my diff cover soon. I have not really found any traffic on the forums about this particular cover which is odd, I know a lot of the older jeep guys run them.

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[CarbonSteel]

You would not want to fill to the bottom of the fill hole, the axle would be way overfilled:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/differential-covers.106725/post-2218638

 

[grimmjeeper]

Looks like a decent cast iron/steel cover. Certainly better than the stamped steel OEM covers.

I use another brand on mine but I would run those if I had em.

 

[RickyPal]

You would not want to fill to the bottom of the fill hole, the axle would be way overfilled:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/differential-covers.106725/post-2218638

Good call man, thanks for the heads up

 

[Chance_P]

You would not want to fill to the bottom of the fill hole, the axle would be way overfilled:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/differential-covers.106725/post-2218638

What's your opinion on filling to the bottom of the TOP hole on the Dana/Spicer cover. That's how I run mine... Too much fluid?

 

[CarbonSteel]

What's your opinion on filling to the bottom of the TOP hole on the Dana/Spicer cover. That's how I run mine... Too much fluid?

The fluid would be well into the tubes at that level but as long as the seals are not leaking (or start to leak) or the vent does not become plugged, it likely will not cause any issues. I would not run it that high--if you wanted to go a bit more than the OEM level fill it to the top of the bottom hole.

 

[sardogtella]

Get an ARB cover. It has a dipstick.

 

[RickyPal]

Get an ARB cover. It has a dipstick.

I’m not really sure that feature is of interest to me for the additional $110… what’s really the selling point of a dipstick if you just stick to regular maintenance? Serious question, not being sarcastic

 

[RickyPal]

The fluid would be well into the tubes at that level but as long as the seals are not leaking (or start to leak) or the vent does not become plugged, it likely will not cause any issues. I would not run it that high--if you wanted to go a bit more than the OEM level fill it to the top of the bottom hole.

Also, follow on question since you seem well versed in differential tech. I couldn’t find any images of the inside of the Solid Cover, so I reached out and they actually provided me one. To my eye, this still looks like it matches most of the intent of the stock cover. It has some side pockets, but comparing to the commonly used ARB cover the pockets toward the side are less egregious than the ARB cover and lots of folks run those without issues. Can you see any issues with their design? I have heard some of the diff covers with horizontal cooling fins really mess with oil flow but this doesn’t seem like it would have any issues

 

[Aturking]

What's your opinion on filling to the bottom of the TOP hole on the Dana/Spicer cover. That's how I run mine... Too much fluid?

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience running the Solid diff cover on the M210 Dana 44 axle. I like the look of the brand, and was looking at upgrading my diff cover soon. I have not really found any traffic on the forums about this particular cover which is odd, I know a lot of the older jeep guys run them.

I ran the solids on my jk. Super good quality. Also as mentioned fill location is for extra capacity due to pinion angle but do not fill it to run out the plug. That would be way to much oil. I went with dana spicer nodular iron covers for the jl.

 

[RickyPal]

I ran the solids on my jk. Super good quality. Also as mentioned fill location is for extra capacity due to pinion angle but do not fill it to run out the plug. That would be way to much oil. I went with dana spicer nodular iron covers for the jl.

How are you liking those compared to the Solids you ran on the JK?

 

[OminousSkitter]

Dumb question (and not trying to hijack this away from solids), but are there really big differences in function between different aftermarket covers? It seems like a lot is aesthetics and if anything (e.g. trackbar) rubs on it? If there are major differences, any to avoid?

edit: if this is an involved question that will hijack, I’m happy to start a different thread.

 

[RickyPal]

Dumb question (and not trying to hijack this away from solids), but are there really big differences in function between different aftermarket covers? It seems like a lot is aesthetics and if anything (e.g. trackbar) rubs on it? If there are major differences, any to avoid?

edit: if this is an involved question that will hijack, I’m happy to start a different thread.

Nah this is a great place to ask and others can add more to this if they wish.

At a high level - the primary reason is strength. OEM covers are traditionally stamped, aftermarket are traditionally cast, and thicker. They are nice peace of mind while wheeling and accidentally slipping off line and mashing your pumpkin on a rock. If the end user does not wheel, it is basically an aesthetic thing. I think some market then with cooling fins to help keep oil temp down but I’ve read (not experienced first hand) mixed things if that actually works.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Dumb question (and not trying to hijack this away from solids), but are there really big differences in function between different aftermarket covers? It seems like a lot is aesthetics and if anything (e.g. trackbar) rubs on it? If there are major differences, any to avoid?

edit: if this is an involved question that will hijack, I’m happy to start a different thread.

This video has a lot of interesting information on the topic:

 

[OminousSkitter]

Nah this is a great place to ask and others can add more to this if they wish.

At a high level - the primary reason is strength. OEM covers are traditionally stamped, aftermarket are traditionally cast, and thicker. They are nice peace of mind while wheeling and accidentally slipping off line and mashing your pumpkin on a rock. If the end user does not wheel, it is basically an aesthetic thing. I think some market then with cooling fins to help keep oil temp down but I’ve read (not experienced first hand) mixed things if that actually works.

Thanks. I knew the strength bit—mostly what I meant by function. It just seems like a lot of the other features are more marketing. Some useful, like the dipstick, but at a premium. When you asked how Aturking liked the Dana’s vs the solids, I was just wondering what functional difference there was between them. The noted fill hole and oil level, obviously, but the rest seemed like aesthetics and name.

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