Differential Covers

[grimmjeeper]

Yes, but depending where the drain plug is, metal shavings, oil, and whatever else may not flow out completely through the hole. Most likely a non issue for the vast majority of owners.

I like to see my gears and make sure I wipe out all the shavings as I’ve been guilty of giving my Jeep the “full send” on occasion. ?

Also, I have a 2022 so I have to pull my cover anyways. Thinking of swapping Motobilt covers on while I’m at it. Got a great kick out of this Litebrite video:

If you're getting shavings there will be evidence on the magnet in the drain plug. Then you know you need to pull the cover.

But if it's just a little sludge you know you're good to refill.

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[Geronimo]

I kept it in house….. went with Dana.. and a Rancho skid, that I color matched……

Went with Dana as well on our 2018 and will be going dana on the 23 as well. High quality all the way.

 

[colby]

I just purchased Motobilt diff covers. I'm going to paint the M red and then clear coat them. I like the look of the raw steel and welds. Very cool.

Did this very thing.

 

[Geronimo]

Watch this video by Gail Banks before changing differential covers:

Differential Cover

Excelent video and real information. Glad Dana makes the HD covers that maintain the profile Mr. Banks refers to.

 

[rkwfxd]

I know how to put oil in the diff. Yes the big plug comes out. I fill from the other side because I find it easier. Thank you for your concern.

Really?

Im always wishing I had more room above the filler hole so it would be easier to tip the oil container up. Do you use a siphon or pump?

 

[Geronimo]

I use the squirt bottles and take a piece of Tygon tubing press it down onto spout and squirt it in. It is shade tree but works and makes no mess. There is a cheap pump that supposedly works well but cannot vouch for it.

 

[Jubi351]

Dana for the wife.

 

[Tank the Jeep]

Really?

Im always wishing I had more room above the filler hole so it would be easier to tip the oil container up. Do you use a siphon or pump?

neither

 

[CarbonSteel]

Pretty sure if you fill to your new fill point you will have too much oil in there. The allen plug is the fill point. Add oil until it comes out of that hole. These need to be removed to drain the old oil.

Or am I wrong?

Compare the factory oil fill location in comparison with the centerline of the axle:

- On the factory, the oil fill hole centerline is about 3/8" to 1/2" BELOW the axle centerline.

- On the Spicer, the bottom oil fill hole centerline is about 3/8" to 1/2" BELOW the axle centerline (just as it is on the OEM).

- On the Motobilt, the oil fill hole centerline is just BELOW the axle centerline--perhaps 1/8" to 3/16".


With that said, the amount of oil you are "overfilling" is fairly small, given the OEM hole is still high enough to allow oil to go into the tubes until it is stopped by the seals.

Also note that FCA reduced the oil capacity of the rear axle from the previous version (from (2.375 QTs to about 1.6 QTs) and also reduced the oil viscosity from Dana's recommendations (from 75W-140 to 75W-85) in the quest to meet CAFE requirements.

Speaking for me, I am 1000% fine with the slight overfill as absolutely nothing negative will happen by doing it.

I also like the larger fill holes in the Motobilt because even though I use Flex bags, the larger hole still makes it easier to fill.

My Factory Rear Cover:

My Motobilt Rear Cover:

Spicer Aftermarket Rear Cover:

 

[CarbonSteel]

Just a bit about the metals used in various covers.

The stock stamped steel cover is pretty durable. It will take a pretty good hit to damage it. A front diff cover hit could deform it, but likely not puncture it. It's malleable. The other damage is catching the lower edge and peeling it. Still a good chance it won't cause loss of fluid. If it does leak fluid or rub on the ring gear, you can remove it on the trail and beat it out and flat with a hammer.

Cast covers like the Dana and ARB are made from much thicker material and might take a harder hit to damage. But when they do get damaged, it will be a brittle break/fracture. Not much to do on the trail to repair it, except duct tape. The plus side is that it won't likely peel the edge.

The more custom fabricated steel plate types, give the most protection.

Agree, because even though the OEM cover may not puncture, what it can do is fold in enough to hit the ring gear or worse smash the ELD module.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Excelent video and real information. Glad Dana makes the HD covers that maintain the profile Mr. Banks refers to.

Yeah...it must be nice to use your own generated data as a standard to validate how much better your cover is and then subsequently hawk it....

Banks proved nothing other than he is a good salesman.

 

[Tank the Jeep]

Compare the factory oil fill location in comparison with the centerline of the axle:

- On the factory, the oil fill hole centerline is about 3/8" to 1/2" BELOW the axle centerline.

- On the Spicer, the bottom oil fill hole centerline is about 3/8" to 1/2" BELOW the axle centerline (just as it is on the OEM).

- On the Motobilt, the oil fill hole centerline is just BELOW the axle centerline--perhaps 1/8" to 3/16".


With that said, the amount of oil you are "overfilling" is fairly small, given the OEM hole is still high enough to allow oil to go into the tubes until it is stopped by the seals.

Also note that FCA reduced the oil capacity of the rear axle from the previous version (from (2.375 QTs to about 1.6 QTs) in the quest to meet CAFE requirements and also reduced the oil viscosity from Dana's recommendations (from 75W-140 to 75W-85).

Speaking for me, I am 1000% fine with the slight overfill as absolutely nothing negative will happen by doing it.

My Factory Rear Cover:

My Motobilt Rear Cover:

/
Spicer Aftermarket Rear Cover:

Compare the factory oil fill location in comparison with the centerline of the axle:

- On the factory, the oil fill hole centerline is about 3/8" to 1/2" BELOW the axle centerline.

- On the Spicer, the bottom oil fill hole centerline is about 3/8" to 1/2" BELOW the axle centerline (just as it is on the OEM).

- On the Motobilt, the oil fill hole centerline is just BELOW the axle centerline--perhaps 1/8" to 3/16".


With that said, the amount of oil you are "overfilling" is fairly small, given the OEM hole is still high enough to allow oil to go into the tubes until it is stopped by the seals.

Also note that FCA reduced the oil capacity of the rear axle from the previous version (from (2.375 QTs to about 1.6 QTs) in the quest to meet CAFE requirements and also reduced the oil viscosity from Dana's recommendations (from 75W-140 to 75W-85).

Speaking for me, I am 1000% fine with the slight overfill as absolutely nothing negative will happen by doing it.

My Factory Rear Cover:

My Motobilt Rear Cover:

/
Spicer Aftermarket Rear Cover:

I think that rkwfxd was trying to say I was filling up to my new fill point. He assumed that I was stupid and had no idea how to put gear oil in a differential. The level plug is still removed to establish the max capacity. Your assessment of a slight increase or overfill makes sense, but rkwfxd was trying to argue a non existent point.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I think that rkwfxd was trying to say I was filling up to my new fill point. He assumed that I was stupid and had no idea how to put gear oil in a differential. The level plug is still removed to establish the max capacity. Your assessment of a slight increase or overfill makes sense, but rkwfxd was trying to argue a non existent point.

I missed part of that conversation, but no worries, I just wanted to show the differences and say I believe it is a non-issue on the slight overfill.

 

[rkwfxd]

I think that rkwfxd was trying to say I was filling up to my new fill point. He assumed that I was stupid and had no idea how to put gear oil in a differential. The level plug is still removed to establish the max capacity. Your assessment of a slight increase or overfill makes sense, but rkwfxd was trying to argue a non existent point.

OK NOW IM PISSED.

I was asking a legitimate question that was not clear to me in your original post.
You have been a total dick about it to put it mildly

 

[chicknwaffles]

I think heavy duty diff covers are a solution in search of a problem for the vast majority.

A diff skid plate, however, makes perfect sense.

Wouldn't want to bash the diff on a rock no matter what cover is on it. Could care less about a skid plate.

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