Rear Differential Cover

[divejoe]

Anybody knows if the rear differential cover falls under the rust/corrosion warranty?

The black coating is peeling off because some rust spots. Is this something I need to worry about?

2004 Silverado Z71

 

 

Thanks much!

[GM-Tech]

Anybody knows if the rear differential cover falls under the rust/corrosion warranty?

 

No, not the 6/100,000 corrosion warranty. That's only for the body. But don't worry about it. That cover will still be fine 300,000 miles from now, though it may not look pretty. It's unlikely it could EVER rust through. Get some spray undercoating if it bothers you.

[cmadz71]

I have the same condition on my 2005 2500HD with 13,000 miles on it. I figured I'd replace it with a black powder coated aluminum cover so it doesn't leave rust spots on my driveway.

[pm26]

As I posted elsewhere in the GM tech forum, the standard stamped sheet metal cover is three times worse dissipator of heat than a custom cast aluminum differential cover. My Z71 has no differential drain plug, and a custom aluminum cover will provide that as well. The only reason GM(and others) use stamped sheet metal cover is because they are cheap. A cast aluminum cover will never rust, so no worry there. Nissan has installed finned aluminum covers on late model Titan trucks as standard equipment after a number of their '04 model year trucks got their differentials fried during heavy trailering in hot summer temperatures. I am looking for a similar ribbed aluminum cover to fit a Silverado. This is definitely a worthwile investment.

[Mr. Smith]

As I posted elsewhere in the GM tech forum, the standard stamped sheet metal cover is three times worse dissipator of heat than a custom cast aluminum differential cover. My Z71 has no differential drain plug, and a custom aluminum cover will provide that as well.  The only reason GM(and others) use stamped sheet metal cover is because they are cheap.  A cast aluminum cover will never rust, so no worry there.  Nissan  has installed finned aluminum covers on late model Titan trucks as standard equipment after a number of their '04 model year trucks got their differentials fried during heavy trailering in hot summer temperatures.  I am looking for a similar ribbed aluminum cover to fit a Silverado.  This is definitely a worthwile investment.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Actually Jegs has a cover that is made from the same stuff as bulletproof glass and see through. Cost was 140 or so. Cooling is relative unless you are running at temps that would cause you problems. What were the temps the rear alxe was seeing as you didn't say...

[pm26]

As I posted elsewhere in the GM tech forum, the standard stamped sheet metal cover is three times worse dissipator of heat than a custom cast aluminum differential cover. My Z71 has no differential drain plug, and a custom aluminum cover will provide that as well.   The only reason GM(and others) use stamped sheet metal cover is because they are cheap.  A cast aluminum cover will never rust, so no worry there.   Nissan  has installed finned aluminum covers on late model Titan trucks as standard equipment after a number of their '04 model year trucks got their differentials fried during heavy trailering in hot summer temperatures.   I am looking for a similar ribbed aluminum cover to fit a Silverado.  This is definitely a worthwile investment.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Actually Jegs has a cover that is made from the same stuff as bulletproof glass and see through. Cost was 140 or so. Cooling is relative unless you are running at temps that would cause you problems. What were the temps the rear alxe was seeing as you didn't say...

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

A glass differential cover is nothing but a gimmick. It is not very functional as it acts as an insulator and traps the heat in. If you are trailering heavy loads at high speed for extended periods in the heat of summer, rear differential oil temperature may reach the boiling point and at that temperature its lubricating properties break down rapidly.

 

A service manager at our local Nissan dealership told me that a guy fried his rear differential on his Titan truck by hauling a 9000 lb trailer (within Titan tow limits with the tow package) at 70 MPH for about 400 miles in the summer. This was by far not an isolated incident. This is why Nissan started installing these ribbed aluminum differential covers on their trucks. They claim that this is working.

[Mr. Smith]

As I posted elsewhere in the GM tech forum, the standard stamped sheet metal cover is three times worse dissipator of heat than a custom cast aluminum differential cover. My Z71 has no differential drain plug, and a custom aluminum cover will provide that as well.   The only reason GM(and others) use stamped sheet metal cover is because they are cheap.  A cast aluminum cover will never rust, so no worry there.   Nissan  has installed finned aluminum covers on late model Titan trucks as standard equipment after a number of their '04 model year trucks got their differentials fried during heavy trailering in hot summer temperatures.   I am looking for a similar ribbed aluminum cover to fit a Silverado.  This is definitely a worthwile investment.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Actually Jegs has a cover that is made from the same stuff as bulletproof glass and see through. Cost was 140 or so. Cooling is relative unless you are running at temps that would cause you problems. What were the temps the rear alxe was seeing as you didn't say...

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

A glass differential cover is nothing but a gimmick. It is not very functional as it acts as an insulator and traps the heat in. If you are trailering heavy loads at high speed for extended periods in the heat of summer, rear differential oil temperature may reach the boiling point and at that temperature its lubricating properties break down rapidly.

 

A service manager at our local Nissan dealership told me that a guy fried his rear differential on his Titan truck by hauling a 9000 lb trailer (within Titan tow limits with the tow package) at 70 MPH for about 400 miles in the summer. This was by far not an isolated incident. This is why Nissan started installing these ribbed aluminum differential covers on their trucks. They claim that this is working.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Since this is the internet you get a bunch of baloney posted. I get stuff for the bling. If you want it for the bling thats fine but you still failed to show where 95% of GM trucks in use today have the chance of developing the trouble and this cover is the magic cure-all.

[pm26]

As I posted elsewhere in the GM tech forum, the standard stamped sheet metal cover is three times worse dissipator of heat than a custom cast aluminum differential cover. My Z71 has no differential drain plug, and a custom aluminum cover will provide that as well.   The only reason GM(and others) use stamped sheet metal cover is because they are cheap.  A cast aluminum cover will never rust, so no worry there.   Nissan  has installed finned aluminum covers on late model Titan trucks as standard equipment after a number of their '04 model year trucks got their differentials fried during heavy trailering in hot summer temperatures.   I am looking for a similar ribbed aluminum cover to fit a Silverado.  This is definitely a worthwile investment.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Actually Jegs has a cover that is made from the same stuff as bulletproof glass and see through. Cost was 140 or so. Cooling is relative unless you are running at temps that would cause you problems. What were the temps the rear alxe was seeing as you didn't say...

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

A glass differential cover is nothing but a gimmick. It is not very functional as it acts as an insulator and traps the heat in. If you are trailering heavy loads at high speed for extended periods in the heat of summer, rear differential oil temperature may reach the boiling point and at that temperature its lubricating properties break down rapidly.

 

A service manager at our local Nissan dealership told me that a guy fried his rear differential on his Titan truck by hauling a 9000 lb trailer (within Titan tow limits with the tow package) at 70 MPH for about 400 miles in the summer. This was by far not an isolated incident. This is why Nissan started installing these ribbed aluminum differential covers on their trucks. They claim that this is working.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Since this is the internet you get a bunch of baloney posted. I get stuff for the bling. If you want it for the bling thats fine but you still failed to show where 95% of GM trucks in use today have the chance of developing the trouble and this cover is the magic cure-all.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Heavy duty 2500 and 3500 series trucks have substantailly larger differential oil capacity than the 1500 series. It is mostly heavy duty trucks that are used for hauling and towing heavy loads. However, a small percentage of people do use their 1500 trucks up to their rated capacity for towing. It is for these applications that increasing the oil capacity and providing better cooling makes sense. 2.15 quarts of oil is very small amount or a full size truck. My compact '95 Nissan 4X4 V6 pickup rear differential held 3 quarts of oil.