I have a (probably) stupid question

[Wabujitsu]

Why do folks buy aftermarket diff covers - some say for rock-bashing durability - when the diff covers are on the BACK of the diffs?

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[GATORB8]

There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

Front diff cover is on the front, rear stock one can be pealed off. Also you can back into crap. Overall improves the differential housing structural integrity.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Heavy duty covers serve two main structural purposes.

They take a hit better than the stamped steel covers. And keep in mind that sometimes you do go backwards and can back into a rock.

They help give more strength to the whole housing. Think of it like having a big bowl. A sheet of tin foil doesn't keep it from flexing when you push on the sides. But put a thick lid on and it doesn't flex anywhere near as much. The axle housing does flex a lot like a bowl. That flex causes gear misalignment, which is the leading cause of broken teeth on gears.


Secondary functions include resisting peeling the edge when you drag the diff over a rock. Also, some people just like the look.

Edit: Some covers do help with cooling by adding fins (more surface area helps cooling). And some covers add a drain plug to make servicing the diff easier.

 

[Wbino]

To help the economy.

 

[Powelligator]

Some aftermarket diff covers allow for more oil in the axle, which could dissipate heat and make the gears last longer?

 

[Terrymo]

1) More rigidity
2) You can back up into rocks, maybe repeatedly on more difficult trails…or maybe that’s just me
3) They look bad ass even if nobody else notices them

People without them will tell you they’re ridiculous. People with them will tell you they’re needed. I expect the same people to chime in on both sides.

 

[Ratbert]

To help the economy.

I'm not sure what you're so angry about, but some of us aren't afraid to leave pavement and enjoy doing so.

 

[NWJeepr]

I don't think "better cooling" has been mentioned yet. Usually that's a perk for the guys who tow.

I've never run aftermarket diff covers, and I think one needs to be careful and buy good stuff. They can alter how the gears are lubricated, or so I learned from some Youtube video to which I've lost the link.

Diff covers are like cups. Protect the junk!

 

[kah.mun.rah]

As mentioned, some are designed to dissipate heat better (increased surface area, external cooling fins, material used, etc.), and others are designed to be thicker to prevent peeling the bottom lip when rubbing against rocks or less likely to dent when hitting the face of the dif on a rock. Others might swap them for easier fluid access/draining.

 

[SlickRicksWilly]

I would love to have cool colorful badass looking diff covers. But I also sway towards the side of I don't buy it until I need it. So unless/until a smash up a factory cover, boring diff covers for me.

 

[Pape]

Add a drain plug

 

[grimmjeeper]

I don't think "better cooling" has been mentioned yet. Usually that's a perk for the guys who tow.

I've never run aftermarket diff covers, and I think one needs to be careful and buy good stuff. They can alter how the gears are lubricated, or so I learned from some Youtube video to which I've lost the link.

Diff covers are like cups. Protect the junk!

Yep, a finned cover does help cooling.

And I wouldn't put too much stock into the well produced YouTube videos selling a specific brand of diff cover. While they don't outright lie, several of the features they talk about don't actually affect the longevity of the bearings in any meaningful way.

 

[NWJeepr]

One has to wonder....what's truly "better"? Stamped steel, or cast aluminum? A lot of aftermarket covers are cast aluminum. Stock covers are typically stamped steel.

You might bend the lip of your steel cover, or dent it on a rock, but that's what's great about steel. Bend it back.

But if you bash a piece of cast aluminum to where it cracks? You're not bending that back, and now you need a replacement cover on the trail?

 

[GATORB8]

One has to wonder....what's truly "better"? Stamped steel, or cast aluminum? A lot of aftermarket covers are cast aluminum. Stock covers are typically stamped steel.

You might bend the lip of your steel cover, or dent it on a rock, but that's what's great about steel. Bend it back.

But if you bash a piece of cast aluminum to where it cracks? You're not bending that back, and now you need a replacement cover on the trail?

Truck ones are. Most durable Jeep covers are either welded plate or cast iron.

 

[jadmt]

nodular iron....sounds cool rolls of the tongue like butter...lol...

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