Gonna be swapping on a differential cover here pretty soon. Got some basic questions even after a search...figure i'll try to get it all in one thread. plan to do an install guide when i finish.

Gear oil….what weight and any particular brand?? I already know I need the LSD additive. Also…how much fluid(aprox)?? i'm pretty sure the additive is 4oz.

Gasket….the cover is used, so I need to get a gasket. Or should I just use RTV? Or both? And if so…what brand/kind.

Stud Kit…pretty sure I’m gonna get this. Its $20 at TR…I figure why not. Any input?

torque specs…for the stud kit, I believe it’s 10# for the stud, 65# for the nut. And I know the preload bolts are 5# (60 in-lb), and the cover bolts are 22#. Are all those correct?


Any particular tricks I should be aware of?
Thanks guys

 

Gear oil: I used 80w-90, and a little less than 2 quarts will fill it. Put the additive in first.

Gasket: Used a cork/composition gasket that was a couple dollars at the local store. It was a cheapo one, but is working great. Didn't need RTV.

Stud kit: why not.

Torque: no idea here since I didnt put a girdle on mine.

No real tricks that i encountered. It's straight forward, easy to do. Just be ready for oil to come spilling out right away.

 

it will come with instructions as to what to torque it down to, if not check the web site for the product

 

There's a TA cover install guide on installuniversity.

 

bought the kit used...hence requesting tips and confirmation.

thanks guys

 

well turns out iin order to install the MAC girdle with the ARP stud kit, you have to clearance the inside edge of the cover. was a pain in the ***...considering i already had the gasket and RTV all applied.

here are the pics of the clearancing i did. i think i need to knock down a TINY bit more on one of the spots for good clearance (granted i tested it without a gasket...but i want to be safe)

stud kit went in easy..no major problems, other than having to use an in-lbs torque wrench to tighten down the studs...my standard torque wrench didn't go down to 10#...so i had to do 120 in-lbs. not a big deal since i need that small of a torque wrench anyway to do the preload bolts.

 

 

dang what did you use to do that?

 

haha...combo of things.

started with a hand file.

moved on to a bench grinder

then finished it off with another file

and then just smoothed it out with some sanding

 

well looks good, sucks you had to do all that tho!

 

no kidding.

and i test fit it and it seemed to lay flush on the differential housing, without a gasket. but i think i couls see that the studs were still touching slightly. gonna grind down just a bit more to make sure.

ugh...

good thing is that the trans is out for a clutch refresh...so it's not like it's costing me drive time