Is there an easy way?

[ARARAR]

Getting ready for summer towing and I'm going to change my differential oil. Is there an easy way to pry the stock cover off once I've removed the bolts without damaging the cover? The metal it's made of looks awful thin and I'd hate to bend or warp it cause then it might leak on down the road. The first time I changed it I just siphoned it all out @5k and replaced it w/amsoil 75/140. Now,@ 65k I want to do a complete drain and check for any wear metals.

 

[jlccc]

Originally posted by arar

Is there an easy way to pry the stock cover off once I've removed the bolts without damaging the cover?

Use a small hammer to tap a small putty knife between the cover and the housing to separate them.



jrp

 

[LSMITH]

There is, just whack it with a deadblow hammer, from the side or top. It is a lot thicker and tougher than you think.



If that makes you nervous just take a putty knife and slide it in between the cover and the diff, and work your way around to cut the silicone.

 

[azcummins]

Ditto... be as mean to it as you want: you won't hurt it.



I use a small flat head to get the cover started off. I usually give the small flathead a few taps with a hammer till I see it go in. Then I work in a bigger hammer and pry away. You won't hurt anything.

 

[azcummins]

Ditto... be as mean to it as you want: you won't hurt it.



I use a small flat head to get the cover started off. I usually give the small flathead a few taps with a hammer till I see it go in. Then I work in a bigger hammer and pry away. You won't hurt anything.

 

[jwilliams3]

If you end up denting any of the cover or differential housing "being as mean as you want to" , just use a file to smooth out the dents afterward, and fill them with epoxy or RTV.



Happy changings!

 

[ARARAR]

Thanks fellows, all went well. I was just a little tentative about the whole thing when it looked like the cover was a little thin, but you were right, it is heavier than it looks.