Replacing differential cover DIY

Dragon_Ball_Z

Has anyone posted a diy to replace the differential cover? The shop wants $300 to do this and I'm trying to see if it's not too difficult to do. Thanks


-Raj

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Build in Progress

JARblue

Seems high to me. I paid around $225 to replace the rear diff bushing. I think the parts to be removed are pretty much the same, but I think removing the worn bushing from the subframe is a lot more labor than just replacing the diff cover. So I would expect to pay a little less for the diff cover work from the same guy.

But I only farmed out that work because I didn't want to jack with that one bushing. I would absolutely DIY the diff cover myself if I had one to install.

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Dragon_Ball_Z

How do I know if the bushing is bad too? Should I replace that too since I'm already doing the cover? Sounds like a good price too bro


-Raj

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JARblue

Get under the car and look at it. Shouldn't even need to lift it. Look for fluid leaking from around the bushing on the back side of the subframe member and look at the diff itself adjacent to the front side of the subframe member. Mine mostly leaked on to the differential, but I have seen ones blow out the back and spray the silicone crap all over the exhaust pipes.

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Dragon_Ball_Z

There is no fluid left in the differential cover because the differential cover I have on there is busted.


-Raj

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Build in Progress

JARblue

I'm not talking about diff fluid. I'm talking about the silicone crap that is from the bushing holding the differential to the subframe member. If the bushing is blown it will leak fluid down the outside of the diff cover. Now if there's already diff fluid all over your diff cover, then that will make it a little more difficult. But just look at the subframe member on both sides of the bushing. If it's blown, you should be able to tell. I recommend the whiteline poly bushings or spl if you want solid for performance.

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chops

you should replace the bushing if you're going to drop the diff just to put on a new cover. whiteline bushing is < $100 shipped in most cases. especially since that bushing WILL fail. just a matter of when. i paid ~400 to have my diff bushing installed at a reputable shop since they had such a hard time removing it

JARblue

if you have the diff out to install the finned cover, might as well do the whiteline upgrade...

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Dragon_Ball_Z

How will the bushing help with performance?


-Raj

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Build in Progress

YzGyz

I will be dropping my rear differential later today to swap out the cover and change the bushing. I might make a quick video with a fast how to. We will see.

YzGyz

JARblue

It can handle harder launches. Less slack in the drivetrain under load.

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Dragon_Ball_Z

Sounds great I'm really looking forward to the video and pics! Reps gonna come


-Raj

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Build in Progress

YzGyz

I spent the last 1hr or so taking everything in the way of dropping the rear differential out. I'm currently draining the oil out of it so that I don't have a big mess when I crack her open. I'm on a dinner lunch break as I let gravity do its thing. So far, so good. No big obstacles yet. We will see if that changes as I try to pop the bushings out.

YzGyz

Dragon_Ball_Z

I hope the video is coming along great ! I'm glad to hear everything is going great!


-Raj

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Build in Progress

YzGyz

The video is a little Blair Witch but I'm doing it as I go. It's nothing special. Its a simplified run of removing the whatever is needed to be removed and swapped out. I'm not going to record the reinstall as that is just everything backwards. However, I might record the rundown of how I put the diff back into place as it may be tricky. Like I said, it's an easy job thus far. I will post it in the DIY and link it here after everything is done.

YzGyz