Are differential covers worth it?

Benefits. Strength: Having a stronger differential cover can provide extra safety for pickup owners with high-horsepower engines or for those who head off-road. Many aftermarket covers are thicker than factory covers, sporting additional cross bracing for improved strength and cooling.

What does a performance differential cover do?

We highlight performance covers which are stronger, lighter, reduce heat, and add style. Differential covers play an important role in keeping your wheels turning. While allowing easy servicing of your differential fluid, they also create a sealed area that protects gears and gear fluid from dirt and moisture.

What is a differential cover gasket?

The differential gasket is the gasket that seals the differential housing. It’s typically manufactured out of cork, rubber, or an oil-resistant silicone that seals the two-piece differential case. Rear end oil and grease is essential in properly lubricating the ring and pinion gears that supply power to drive axles.

How do I know what differential cover I need?

Pop a couple of axle stands under your truck and have a look at the number of cover bolts, the distinctive shape of the cover, the number of ring gear bolts, and ring gear diameter your Ford, Dodge or Chevy differential has. They can also be identified by whether the center section is an integral or dropout design.

Are aluminum diff covers good?

Cast aluminum covers are lightweight and conduct heat well. Many have fins to aid in cooling the gear oil. Also, many allow for more gear oil to be added to the differential, as compared to stock. With all this cooling, this type of cover can be great for trucks that tow on a regular basis.

Are aluminum diff covers worth it?

Do you use RTV on differential cover?

Many vehicles are originally equipped with a differential cover that is sealed with RTV rather than a gasket. Using RTV instead of a gasket comes with challenges. Read on to learn about a better way to seal the differential cover by installing a Fel-Pro differential cover gasket.

Can you tell the gear ratio by the VIN number?

The gear ratio is usually listed in the VIN code located on driver’s door, the glove box, or the ID plate on the dashboard.

Are front and rear diff covers the same?

Registered. The front and rear axle are not the same. The front axle seals are located in the differential housing. The outer axle bearings are sealed units that mount to the knuckle/spindle that’s attached to the axle tube by ball joints.

Should I use RTV or gasket on differential?

For the next service/repair, a gasket is easier to remove than RTV. In addition, the cover will be easier to remove, and you won’t damage or bend the cover like RTV will. Installing a Fel-Pro differential cover gasket is your assurance that you have a reliable seal, which will save time at the next service.