2008 Silverado 1500 With Mag Hytec Differential Cover Write-up

brims · February 7, 2009

Here's the pictoral write-up that I said I'd do, this is my first.

When I put the cover on I didn't realize there were no images or information on modifying the 2 brackets on the differential when installing a Mag Hytec differential cover on the 2008 Silverado 1500 4x2 with the 10 bolt 8.5" differential, so here are some pictures of what I'm doing to mine. The brackets are for the rear brake line junction block and the parking brake cable housing.

In this picture you see the stock differential cover, the left bracket is for the brake lines, and the right for the parking brake and some other hose, I believe a breather.

The rear brake bracket has 2 bolts, the bolt that goes through the brake line junction block (silver) and the one that threads into the differential housing (black) which doesn't seem to come out on it's own. A deep socket that fit over the head of the bolt and a hammer popped that bolt out, it's held in with a ridge.

The parking brake cable housing bracket is just a thin metal bracket that keeps the parking brake cable from rubbing the differential and holds the differential vent tube up.

Here is the rear brake line bracket modified. I used a Dremel tool and a cutoff wheel to cut off somewhere around 3/16" from the bottom.

Here are the 2 brackets installed, I didn't take a picture of the parking brake cable because I just cut it and flipped it over and, as you can see, I used a zip-tie because I couldn't get that bracket to bend so I'm doing it that way.

Here's a picture of the completed rear end.

Ranger · February 7, 2009

Nice work...Give it a few miles on a dusty road and it'll match the rest of the underside soon enough haha.

BuckFeverZ · February 7, 2009

Looks good man! Thanks for the write-up

Dmas · February 7, 2009

great job an very nice write-up

brims · February 8, 2009

Draining the differential, removing the cover, cleaning the sealing surface, installing the cover, and filling it took about 1 hour. Modifying the 2 brackets probably took 1 to 1.5 hours. I'm going to have to go back and do something about the parking brake cable bracket, it's pretty crappy. But I just couldn't come up with a good way to do it. So I'll keep thinking about it and see what I come up with. Maybe someone else will do this and I can borrow their idea.

J-man67 · February 8, 2009

Great write-up, thanks! HAHA, I knew you would use that zip-tie!!! That cable doesnt move, so as long as you check it every oil change, it will be fine.

brims · February 8, 2009

Great write-up, thanks! HAHA, I knew you would use that zip-tie!!! That cable doesnt move, so as long as you check it every oil change, it will be fine.

In that situation it was necessary until I can find something new. At least the one for the brake lines is solid so they won't wiggle around and create a leak.

J-man67 · February 9, 2009

Yeah, mine is temp too. I need to get all my brake lines re-done before I go any higher.

CptMorgan · February 10, 2009

Not to sound like a noob, but what purpose does this new cover serve?

music · February 10, 2009

Not to sound like a noob, but what purpose does this new cover serve?

Heat dissipation. They make similar pans for transmissions. Stock covers are fine for use within the design specs, but the all-aluminum pans can help keep the temp down for modified setups or heavier use. They hold more fluid and are supposed to have a better heat transfer rate. I'm no expert, and can't vouch for their performance over stock.

takevin · February 10, 2009

Plus it looks purtier

brims · March 22, 2009

I've decided it was time to find a better bracket for that emergency brake cable, I've got an idea of what I'm going to do. So hopefully in the next couple of days I'll have a finished piece to show off. In the meantime I've sprayed that other bracket flat black. So far it has been sanded, primered, and painted. Once the paint dries I'm going to clear coat it and once it's in I'll post a picture of it.