Just ordered one of these to replace my rusty /leaking stock cover.

Anyone else have one ?
looks decent.... and won't rust out on me...

also ordered a "lube locker" gasket.... never used one.... reviews are good. but $$

https://www.4wd.com//p/g2-axle-gear-...FCNB-40-2029AL

 

I have Solid covers on mine that are made out of Iron but the G2 covers are good if you are just replacing an old rusted out one. The Lube Locker gaskets are great, I have reused mine several times with no leaks.

 

just try and torque them in a pattern good and tight. Whatever you do don't strip the bolts no one likes doing that....

 

I put ruff stuff covers on everything

 

I just put whatever was on sale XD

 

Lol

 

Got the cover today
Looks real nice. thick aluminum/nice finish.... I did have to clean up a little flash on a couple mounting holes but nothing major.... gasket surface is machined nicely.

I'm letting the rear drain over night and I'll slap it on tomorrow.

The XJ is basically a daily driver / dog hauler no heavy off road...
but this should add to my "street cred"

 

What is the TQ. value for the bolts on the stock cover?

just for reference.... 20 ft. lbs or so??

 

Supposedly. From my own experience, you run the risk of snapping one at that point. I did on the LAST bolt I did on the front cover....boy was I pissed. After that, I did some research and found it's a common issue and a lot of folks said to go with a lower amount. I did the rear just by feel instead and haven't had any leaks. I went with lube lockers and Riddler covers.

 

Here is something I never quite got.
How do you check the level?
Cause it always seems the fill hole is not in the same place as a stock cover.
I check my diff level with every oil change. Open up the fill hole, give it a shot, let the excess dribble out, and button her up.
I got blasted on another forum about this. This one guy just said you put in the required 2.5 quarts.
And I said I know that but because the fill hole was higher in whatever diff cover we were talking about how do you periodically check.
He kept repeating you put in 2.5 quarts. I kept on asking. I'm sorry but I check every time even if I don't see a leak.
It became a thing. Maybe it was just me.
I wonder if the black plug on that diff lets you check for proper level?
I always look at this one cause of the "dipstick".

https://www.quadratec.com/products/12011_900X_B_PG.htm

But it is super expensive and since my Jeep is just a DD and I would be going for a "look" I can't justify it.
But it would be nice to have a drain plug in diff covers.
Also is just me or with the Lubelocker does it look like it goes on a certain way?
That there is a front/back and/or top and bottom?

 

Fill it untill it runs out the fill hole no matter what cover you use.

 

Really?
Cause I thought I read some where, I can't remember what cover the guy used, that he filled it till it did and it took more then the specs say.

 

I ordered Solid covers for front/rear today, $65 a pop

 

Over fill it and you can bet it’s coming out of the breather line the first time you drive it. On a ARB cover, add specified amount and take note where that is on the dipstick. The ARB covers have a magnet on the drain and the dipstick.

 

Ralph,
On my cover I filled from the TOP red cap/hole
until fluid came out the middle black cap/hole

It took just about 2 liters.... which is what it calls for.

As far as snapping bolts, I had some resistance on the top bolt..... So I took the cover off and ran a 5/16-18 tap through the hole....
it was clogged up....

most, if not all the holes go all the way through.... but the stock bolts are short.. so they get clogged with mud and crap....

I probably should have cleaned them all out but the rest tightened up OK.

I just tightened by hand.... I have a calibrated hand.. guided by common sense

I will keep an eye on it for leaks.

The biggest pain in the azz was getting the bottle in there to fill it....
jacked the body up a taste and was able to get enough clearance.