Differential Covers

zedbear · March 23, 2010

Just looking for some pro tips on selecting a new(rear) diff cover. I went to change the fluid the other day due to a leaky cover seal or gasket and found both the bolts and the cover are in terrible shape from rust, dirt, and age. I'd like to just upgrade to a nicer looking cover and new bolts while I'm at it. Any suggestions? Not really a fan of the chrome ones but one of those cast units would be nice. Are all the covers the same as far as number of bolts, pattern, etc? Thanks.

Z'06 · March 23, 2010

Just looking for some pro tips on selecting a new(rear) diff cover. I went to change the fluid the other day due to a leaky cover seal or gasket and found both the bolts and the cover are in terrible shape from rust, dirt, and age. I'd like to just upgrade to a nicer looking cover and new bolts while I'm at it. Any suggestions? Not really a fan of the chrome ones but one of those cast units would be nice. Are all the covers the same as far as number of bolts, pattern, etc? Thanks.

Count your bolts and find one with the same # of bolts. Mag-Hytec is probably the coolest looking, but in theory you would keep your diff cooler with an unpainted (and finned if possible) aluminum cover. TA Performance makes a cover that pre-loads the bearing caps, which combined with some ARP bolts would make for a huge improvement over stock.

trucc_boi · March 23, 2010

mag hytec silverado write-up

jblakeney · March 23, 2010

Just looking for some pro tips on selecting a new(rear) diff cover. I went to change the fluid the other day due to a leaky cover seal or gasket and found both the bolts and the cover are in terrible shape from rust, dirt, and age. I'd like to just upgrade to a nicer looking cover and new bolts while I'm at it. Any suggestions? Not really a fan of the chrome ones but one of those cast units would be nice. Are all the covers the same as far as number of bolts, pattern, etc? Thanks.

Sounds like it is time to upgrade the cover.....

Mag-Hytec

They have some really nice diff covers..

When ever mine starts leaking or I get around to fixing that bearing thats been making noise ever 10-15k I change the fluid.... It has been making noise since 05.....

Jbo

zedbear · March 24, 2010

So basically I have a GM 8.5 inch?? Not sure how many bolts mine has and I'm away from the truck for the next few days but I THINK it is 10 bolts.

Harvey Halabookie · March 24, 2010

Just looking for some pro tips on selecting a new(rear) diff cover. I went to change the fluid the other day due to a leaky cover seal or gasket and found both the bolts and the cover are in terrible shape from rust, dirt, and age. I'd like to just upgrade to a nicer looking cover and new bolts while I'm at it. Any suggestions? Not really a fan of the chrome ones but one of those cast units would be nice. Are all the covers the same as far as number of bolts, pattern, etc? Thanks.

Count your bolts and find one with the same # of bolts. Mag-Hytec is probably the coolest looking, but in theory you would keep your diff cooler with an unpainted (and finned if possible) aluminum cover. TA Performance makes a cover that pre-loads the bearing caps, which combined with some ARP bolts would make for a huge improvement over stock.

TA Performance

nickvrebel · March 24, 2010

So basically I have a GM 8.5 inch?? Not sure how many bolts mine has and I'm away from the truck for the next few days but I THINK it is 10 bolts.

you data says you have a 2000 model with the Z71 package.

With that known, in 2000 the Z71 package was only available on a 1/2 ton truck.

The only axle put in a 2000 1/2 ton was the GM 10 bolt with a 8.6" ring gear, the cover is interchangeable with a 8.5" type (it's just internal stuff that's slightly different).

zedbear · March 24, 2010

Got it, thanks.

jro909 · March 24, 2010

Just sand & paint yours what ever color you want. Black always looks good. The only person that is going to notice is the person you just ran over on the side walk.

or the honda civic sitting behind you reving listening to techno music thinking they are cool

RaddHazzard · March 24, 2010

Ive had the mag-hytec 10 bolt for about a year, and its great. I think i put in 4 and a touch quarts, it holds alot. Finned aluminum, dipstick, o ring, on and on with the features. Check out the website, youll be sold.

Nytemare · March 24, 2010

Get yourself a Moser cover.

they're not expensive and they come with bolts that you torque down on your main caps to strengthen your diff.

Here's the link.....Moser pan

Oh and yeah...if you have an 8.2, 8.5, 8.6 or the smaller 7.5 in the s10....you have 10 bolts holding the cover on...Hence.....10-Bolt rear end....12 bolt rears have 12 bolts and 14 bolts have 14 bolts holding the pan on...get the picture.

The 8.2, 8.5 and 8.6 all have the same cover WRT Moser covers.

zedbear · March 25, 2010

Is the extra support that some of these covers provide something that really matters on a lightly used truck? Or does it help regardless?? I like the looks of that last one, it's sharp looking. There is a GM Performance cover I was looking at for about 100 bucks but I don't think it has the main cap support.....

Nytemare · March 26, 2010

Is the extra support that some of these covers provide something that really matters on a lightly used truck? Or does it help regardless?? I like the looks of that last one, it's sharp looking. There is a GM Performance cover I was looking at for about 100 bucks but I don't think it has the main cap support.....

It sure wont hurt...If your just using it for light duty, I don't think you need it...but it sure does look cool.

zedbear · April 15, 2010

As far as the covers with cap support are concerned, how does that work? Do I have to take anything apart inside the housing??

Nytemare · April 15, 2010

As far as the covers with cap support are concerned, how does that work? Do I have to take anything apart inside the housing??

No, as far as I know...I know one person with a moser cover...you can do one of two things. You can just torque the bolts in the cover down to the specs provided, or you can replace the bearing caps with ones from moser that are designed to work better with the cover for even a larger boost in strength for your 10-Bolt

Basically, you are putting an extra load point on the bearing cap, so the load from the bearings are distributed over 3 bolts instead of two.

I think the pan is 1 quart bigger than stock too.