Could one fabricate a new differential cover or do they have to be a certain shape to retain the proper amount of fluid?

Mathius

 

you could make one as long as it didnt use less fluid than stock. the fluid not only lubes but cools as well, so to little fluid and your rear could overheat. but if it held more fluid, it could be better because your fluid would not be as hot. the main deal with rears is fluid level, which would not be changed by a new cover, because the fill hole is still in the same place.

 

i doubt if you could really make it too small and reduce the amount of oil in the rear. you'd have to make it so it cleared the gears.

 

This was my thought too, but will too much oil hurt it?

Mathius

 

Nope, more oil would increase the heat dissapation and let the differential live a longer happier life. Its just a gear set that turns around along with some bearings nothing special.

 

Any reason I couldn't make one out of 6061 aluminum?

Mathius

 

it may bend if its made of aluminum and isnt like braced
i would put some strips ont he outside weld them on and then add 2 holes and yea u should be set. send me some pics when u get done will ya

 

nope

(yea i know, wrong rear... but they make a 10 bolt one)

 

What about the 9 bolt?

 

read this thread for the latest info on TAs 9bolt cover

 

if you have steel in contact with alluminum, and its a daily driver, your going to have some problems with rust

 

umm... ok.

i guess all of us are going to have to pull the steel bolts out of our alum heads, and take apart almost every alum part in our cars...


no. dissimilar metals do create mild electrical current and can become stuck together over time, but nothign like that is going to happen to the rear end.