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Afternarket Diff covers

jamesgmc

By jamesgmc
in 2000-2014 Silverado HD & Sierra HD

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jamesgmc Enthusiast

jamesgmc

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7 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

 


It’s irrelevant what his independent unscientific findings say, that’s why he’s on YouTube. Besides, considering it’s already a proven fact that aftermarket diffs play a large roll in ALL Racing applications as well as race team personally found to add longevity to their drivetrain. Factory stamped steel diff covers are garbage that have even be known to peel off just with a simple rock scrape while 4x4’ing. I’ve personally found my new G2 covers give me easier maintenance with added protection from metal scrapings where as all Auto Manufacturers have lowest quality diff covers that rust and purchased from lowest bidder as well as made it harder for auto owners to service and maintain their own vehicle.


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You do know who Gale Banks is don’t you?  Banks Power is one of the most well know aftermarket producers of fully modified racing, off road and military vehicles.  He isn’t “just” on youtube, he owms an international engine and drivetrain modifing company.

 

Also you clearly didn’t watch the videos because the tests are being done in a controlled enviornment simulating highway driving at 70mph on a Dyno that is providing feedback.  The diff, diff cover and axle are rigged up with all kinds of temperature reading equipment.  They have even simulated airflow under the vehicle with a fan system.  All of the controlled envionment specifications were obtained by doing on road testing to re create that in a lab on a dyno.  So how is that not scientific?  They are using the sane truck, same axle, same tires,, controlled consistent factors, on a dyno, and have multiple points of temperture measurement.  Sounds pretty scientific, not to mention his company being several hundred thousand dollars invested into this.  

 

Cite your science the aftermarket companies are quoting.

 

How does an aluminum cover provide more off road protection?  This I’m curious about since I’ve been 4x4 trail crawling for some time and seen plenty of factory diffs clunk into rocks and be just fine.  The diff cover is in the rear and unlikely to take a direct hit since it’s not forward facing.  As far as tearing off that would literally have nothing to do with the diff cover and much more to do with the bolts holding the diff cover to the housing.  In fact some 14 bolt diff covers actually only use 12 of the bolts so that would seem like it would weaken the ability to not be torn off.  Not to mention if the diff housing took a hit hard enough to tear a diff cover off it would most likely  either crack the diff housing or just tear the whole axle from the vehicle.  Your statements in general dont sound that well thought out and kind of based on what you read from a aftermarket diff cover manufacturer.  Also GM / AAM makes their own diff covers, they don’t buy them from another producer.

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TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
You do know who Gale Banks is don’t you?  Banks Power is one of the most well know aftermarket producers of fully modified racing, off road and military vehicles.  He isn’t “just” on youtube, he owms an international engine and drivetrain modifing company.
 
Also you clearly didn’t watch the videos because the tests are being done in a controlled enviornment simulating highway driving at 70mph on a Dyno that is providing feedback.  The diff, diff cover and axle are rigged up with all kinds of temperature reading equipment.  They have even simulated airflow under the vehicle with a fan system.  All of the controlled envionment specifications were obtained by doing on road testing to re create that in a lab on a dyno.  So how is that not scientific?  They are using the sane truck, same axle, same tires,, controlled consistent factors, on a dyno, and have multiple points of temperture measurement.  Sounds pretty scientific, not to mention his company being several hundred thousand dollars invested into this.  
 
Cite your science the aftermarket companies are quoting.
 
How does an aluminum cover provide more off road protection?  This I’m curious about since I’ve been 4x4 trail crawling for some time and seen plenty of factory diffs clunk into rocks and be just fine.  The diff cover is in the rear and unlikely to take a direct hit since it’s not forward facing.  As far as tearing off that would literally have nothing to do with the diff cover and much more to do with the bolts holding the diff cover to the housing.  In fact some 14 bolt diff covers actually only use 12 of the bolts so that would seem like it would weaken the ability to not be torn off.  Not to mention if the diff housing took a hit hard enough to tear a diff cover off it would most likely  either crack the diff housing or just tear the whole axle from the vehicle.  Your statements in general dont sound that well thought out and kind of based on what you read from a aftermarket diff cover manufacturer.  Also GM / AAM makes their own diff covers, they don’t buy them from another producer.


First off, I’m not new around the block and I know everything about him, as well as all his attention searching videos he puts out.
For over 100 years we’ve been using air cooling as a means to cool heating fluids, hence cooling fins and better heat dissipation with aluminum.
You’re claim of my not knowing is becoming more of a personal issue you’re having and it’s obviously apparent that you know nothing about 4Wheeling and the damage a rock will do scraping a stock differential, differentials don’t necessarily hit but sit on a rock and “WILL” rip off the diff cover or seriously damage it when driving off. Aftermarket diffs add extremely easy maintenance versus stock where you have to pull off the cover to drain. The list of positives blows away stock parts hence the reasoning that manufacturers have been using and adding name brand aftermarket parts for generations.

As I’ve stated, billion dollar industries have their own testing and rely on aftermarket differentials in order to add longevity to their drivetrains. I’m not getting into a back and forth debate with you or any other disciple follower, much better and more quality discussions needing my attention.




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davester Senior Enthusiast

davester

Posted
Posted

Well, sounds like someone really doesn't want their mind to explode from finding out they might have made a poor decision with how they spend their money.

 

Perhaps you could list some of these billion dollar industries that rely on aftermarket diff covers, and then describe how your specific use of your vehicle corresponds with their use of their vehicles?

 

And again, Banks is going "I don't know how well these things actually work.  This is how I will test them and post the results.".  As far as I can tell, NONE of the manufacturers of these diff covers have published any kind of test results, let alone detailed how and under what conditions they tested them.  They seem to concentrate on "looks cool" (hence the fancy logos/designs in them instead of, say, just cooling fins), and fill/drain ports/dip stick (which can make the job easier/nicer to do).

  • 3 months later...
RoarinRow Enthusiast

RoarinRow

Posted
Posted

I replaced my diff cover recently.  The OEM cover was stained from oil leaks so I wanted to replace it as well as the leak (and I wanted the bling down there).  I watched the Bank videos as well and at least the B&M cover that I replaced was / is similar to stock as it is rounded on the inside, and not squarish like the ones he was showing.  Still waiting for Banks part 3 to come out...

bm.jpeg

HawkScot Enthusiast

HawkScot

Posted
Posted
13 minutes ago, RoarinRow said:

I replaced my diff cover recently.  The OEM cover was stained from oil leaks so I wanted to replace it as well as the leak (and I wanted the bling down there).  I watched the Bank videos as well and at least the B&M cover that I replaced was / is similar to stock as it is rounded on the inside, and not squarish like the ones he was showing.  Still waiting for Banks part 3 to come out...

bm.jpeg

I like that one, looks like it will do the job.

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, RoarinRow said:

I replaced my diff cover recently.  The OEM cover was stained from oil leaks so I wanted to replace it as well as the leak (and I wanted the bling down there).  I watched the Bank videos as well and at least the B&M cover that I replaced was / is similar to stock as it is rounded on the inside, and not squarish like the ones he was showing.  Still waiting for Banks part 3 to come out...

bm.jpeg

Added bearing support is good. Cheap insurance. I find that of more interest than cooling or volume increases. If cooling is a need these can be fitted with coolers/fans/thermocouples/filters and pumps. 

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

The fill looks too high, it looks deeper so foaming shouldn't be a problem. Overfill would be a problem.


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casey.mikl Enthusiast

casey.mikl

Posted
Posted
The fill looks too high, it looks deeper so foaming shouldn't be a problem. Overfill would be a problem.


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Not unless you use the factory fill in the diff housing.


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RoarinRow Enthusiast

RoarinRow

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Scotkb75 said:

I like that one, looks like it will do the job.

I got it from Amazon along with the machine gasket.

ftwhite Enthusiast

ftwhite

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, KARNUT said:

The fill looks too high, it looks deeper so foaming shouldn't be a problem. Overfill would be a problem.


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Agreed. I got caught on this on my 2006 Jeep. Filled to the cover hole like I assumed it was in that location for. Turns out that was way too much and had gear oil out my vent tube for a week before I figured it out. 

B&M's install directions cover this by stating to either use a axel housing fill hole if present, or on newer models, add the manufacturer's amount "plus .4 quarts". Or, more specifically:

Quote

17. Fill with factory recommended gear oil using the B&M Cast Aluminum Rear End Cover fill plug hole (See Figure 5). Add gear oil until oil runs out of the axle housing fill hole. NOTE: Add the correct amount of fluid as listed on your owner’s manual plus an extra 0.4 quarts on vehicles with the fill plug on the cover. Overfilling can cause differential problems.

 

RoarinRow Enthusiast

RoarinRow

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, ftwhite said:

Agreed. I got caught on this on my 2006 Jeep. Filled to the cover hole like I assumed it was in that location for. Turns out that was way too much and had gear oil out my vent tube for a week before I figured it out. 

B&M's install directions cover this by stating to either use a axel housing fill hole if present, or on newer models, add the manufacturer's amount "plus .4 quarts". Or, more specifically:

 

Thanks for finding that info!  :)  I had the install done by a local shop so hopefully they read the instruction manual as noted.

davester Senior Enthusiast

davester

Posted
Posted

That seems....wrong.  Now, how do you check fluid level?  Sure they save a few pennies, takes a less effort and leaves a nice flat spot to put their logo on the cover, but at the expense of basic usage.

 

I would suggest you specifically tell them to fill it as per the installation directions, as I wouldn't be surprised if the mechanic just slaps it on and fills it to the fill hole level, as that's how you check these diff's if they are full...

 

And remember to tell every single lube shop the same thing, if you take it to a shop for oil changes.  They may just top-up the diff as part of oil/lube service...

 

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted

The only thing I do not like about aftermarket Diff Covers is that I cannot fit a larger tire as a spare, presses against the larger diff cover. Left the stock setup for now.


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RoarinRow Enthusiast

RoarinRow

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, TXGREEK said:

The only thing I do not like about aftermarket Diff Covers is that I cannot fit a larger tire as a spare, presses against the larger diff cover. Left the stock setup for now.


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I didn't check the  spacing on mine, but I am running stock 16" rims/tires.

TXGREEK Senior Enthusiast

TXGREEK

Posted
Posted
I didn't check the  spacing on mine, but I am running stock 16" rims/tires.

20” here with 34”’s. Tried doing 33” and was tight, hooked the stock back up.


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