Cleaning Rear Differential - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Macdaddy1 · 06-01-2018, 07:36 PM

Is it ok to spray brake cleaner on my rear diff to clean them before installing the cover and new gasket?

**mongocanfly** · 06-01-2018, 08:16 PM

are you talking about the carrier and r&p?or just the diff cover?....I use brake cleaner as a parts cleaner all the time....evaporates quickly

Killer Bee · 06-01-2018, 08:21 PM

you can wipe the flange and inch or so of the inner housing with brakleen on a lint free cloth, it will dry quickly..

or spraying just the flange and blowing a little low pressure shop air will work..

I wouldn't sweat a little overspray but I wouldn't deluge it where any elastomers like pinion seals or air/elec locker components could be affected..

make sure to clean bolt holes really good, leftover oil in there can squeeze out across seal area when tightening bolts..

If you're having trouble keeping oil from dribbling down the lower edge, you can jack up the rear end so the oil stays up forward until cover is set and secured..

you can also spread a small bead of grease along the low places to hold oil back..

good luck!

now, waiting for gasket vs rtv argument to start in 3... 2.. 1.

Macdaddy1 · 06-01-2018, 08:32 PM

I was talking about the carrier and R & P. I am ordering a new cover and gasket. Just wanted to clean the inside before assembling but did not want to damage anything with the brake cleaner.

Macdaddy1 · 06-01-2018, 08:59 PM

Also where is the silly fill hole?

**PGSigns** · 06-01-2018, 09:12 PM

On the right side about half way up and about 5 inches behind the pinion. I don't spray a bunch up inside.
Jimmy

Macdaddy1 · 06-01-2018, 10:32 PM

OK located it thanks. The passenger side axle has a code HA 216 W does anybody know what that refers to. I can't find anything on the web.

Killer Bee · 06-01-2018, 11:04 PM

what's your question? what axle you have? or just what those numbers mean?

can you post a picture(s)? either way it'd be a lot easier if we all knew what axle it is..

I posted some Dana stuff here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...48&postcount=8

there's a chart in there and many other places on the interwebs to help you identify it..

Macdaddy1 · 06-02-2018, 10:23 AM

Killer bee

I was trying to ask what axle this has and whether it might be posi. I will take some pics later today.

Thanks

**mongocanfly** · 06-02-2018, 12:25 PM

the codes on the outside of the axle won't dictate what's in the housing ir what's been swapped over the yrs....pics would be best...but if you look in the carrier and can see the side gears ,cross pin, and bevel gears its a open diff......this is a open diff...

**mongocanfly** · 06-02-2018, 12:34 PM

this is a g80 locker.....

Macdaddy1 · 06-02-2018, 07:20 PM

Thanks Greg

I took the rear diff cover off and found out it has 3.73 gears and no posi. I needed to replace the pinion seal and had a beast of a time trying to break it loose but I finally got it. I think I better order a new pinion nut though. Hey Greg, When you get time you you please take a pic of your zbar linkage. I just got the bracket from advanced adapter but I am not sure it will be long enough. If i could see yours it would really help.

Thanks

06-01-2018, 07:36 PM	#1
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Cleaning Rear Differential Is it ok to spray brake cleaner on my rear diff to clean them before installing the cover and new gasket?

06-01-2018, 08:16 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,583	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential are you talking about the carrier and r&p?or just the diff cover?....I use brake cleaner as a parts cleaner all the time....evaporates quickly __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

06-01-2018, 08:21 PM	#3
Killer Bee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Barber City, CA Posts: 4,727	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential you can wipe the flange and inch or so of the inner housing with brakleen on a lint free cloth, it will dry quickly.. or spraying just the flange and blowing a little low pressure shop air will work.. I wouldn't sweat a little overspray but I wouldn't deluge it where any elastomers like pinion seals or air/elec locker components could be affected.. make sure to clean bolt holes really good, leftover oil in there can squeeze out across seal area when tightening bolts.. If you're having trouble keeping oil from dribbling down the lower edge, you can jack up the rear end so the oil stays up forward until cover is set and secured.. you can also spread a small bead of grease along the low places to hold oil back.. good luck! now, waiting for gasket vs rtv argument to start in 3... 2.. 1. __________________ *I started out with nothing - and I still have most of it*

06-01-2018, 08:32 PM	#4
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential I was talking about the carrier and R & P. I am ordering a new cover and gasket. Just wanted to clean the inside before assembling but did not want to damage anything with the brake cleaner.

06-01-2018, 08:59 PM	#5
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential Also where is the silly fill hole?

06-01-2018, 09:12 PM	#6
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential On the right side about half way up and about 5 inches behind the pinion. I don't spray a bunch up inside. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

06-01-2018, 10:32 PM	#7
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential OK located it thanks. The passenger side axle has a code HA 216 W does anybody know what that refers to. I can't find anything on the web.

06-01-2018, 11:04 PM	#8
Killer Bee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Barber City, CA Posts: 4,727	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential what's your question? what axle you have? or just what those numbers mean? can you post a picture(s)? either way it'd be a lot easier if we all knew what axle it is.. I posted some Dana stuff here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...48&postcount=8 there's a chart in there and many other places on the interwebs to help you identify it.. __________________ *I started out with nothing - and I still have most of it*

06-02-2018, 10:23 AM	#9
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential Killer bee I was trying to ask what axle this has and whether it might be posi. I will take some pics later today. Thanks

06-02-2018, 12:25 PM	#10
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,583	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential the codes on the outside of the axle won't dictate what's in the housing ir what's been swapped over the yrs....pics would be best...but if you look in the carrier and can see the side gears ,cross pin, and bevel gears its a open diff......this is a open diff... Attached Images __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

06-02-2018, 12:34 PM	#11
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,583	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential this is a g80 locker..... Attached Images __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

06-02-2018, 07:20 PM	#12
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Re: Cleaning Rear Differential Thanks Greg I took the rear diff cover off and found out it has 3.73 gears and no posi. I needed to replace the pinion seal and had a beast of a time trying to break it loose but I finally got it. I think I better order a new pinion nut though. Hey Greg, When you get time you you please take a pic of your zbar linkage. I just got the bracket from advanced adapter but I am not sure it will be long enough. If i could see yours it would really help. Thanks



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