Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

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CapriFreak
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Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by CapriFreak »

As the title says. I'm sure i've heard people doing this and I was just about to change my Diff cover when I realised how well sealed on it is (was reconditioned by Southern Axles) and im struggling to get the bolts to budge. Its leaking through what I guess are pin holes higher up.

Seems a shame to make myself a ton of work for this at this time, any advice on what to use for this?
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EightyFive
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by EightyFive »

I assume you mean the paste type stuff that when mixed together hardens?

I used some on the inner lip of the thermostat housing where there was a pinhole and no leaks yet.

If they're just pinhole leaks then I'd say there's no harm in trying it. Just jack it up again in a few weeks to see how it's holding up.
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by stevemarl »

Can only be short term, maybe till next year, as the hot oil will work its way underneath in time, plus new pinholes will appear unless you`re really fastidious about preparing the surface. A bit like patching exhausts, it`s usually better to just bite the bullet and replace.
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by B@fink »

Only problem you may encounter with the such products is it’s not very keen sticking to anything remotely oily or dirty. Because the oil is leaking from inside chances are it will still be able to seep out as you glue it up so you might have a ‘mare getting it to seal the leak up so you’d have to make sure it’s absolutely squeaky clean. Not forgetting you still have to find the leak! Mine threw almost half the diffs worth out but laid underneath it, I couldn’t see the hole for love nor money (top of the metal handbrake bush bracket in my case) way up under the floor tucked up behind the fuel tank despite so much oil getting out the fuel tank was getting some free rust proofing! Even though I only had 1 pinhole leak it was clear when I got the cover off there was plenty of other areas that weren’t long for this world. Hopefully you’ll have some success. Best of luck! :goodluck:
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by CapriFreak »

Thanks guys. I'll try again with the bolts. I started going round them with an older, decent 10mm socket and it just slipped off so i dont want to end up with a situation. Sounds like the bodge job isnt the way though.
Theres a fair lot of jobs to do on this car as ever so I'm trying to avoid paying someone :xd:
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by stevemarl »

if a 10mm socket is a bit loose, do you have any imperial ones, (3/8" is about 9.5mm) that may be a tighter fit?
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by CapriFreak »

stevemarl wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:11 pm if a 10mm socket is a bit loose, do you have any imperial ones, (3/8" is about 9.5mm) that may be a tighter fit?
I'll have a look tomorrow. I picked up a few before trying the 10mm that looked close and they seemed too big, fingers crossed theres something in an old tool box.
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by Peter-S »

CapriFreak wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:14 pm
stevemarl wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 8:11 pm if a 10mm socket is a bit loose, do you have any imperial ones, (3/8" is about 9.5mm) that may be a tighter fit?
I'll have a look tomorrow. I picked up a few before trying the 10mm that looked close and they seemed too big, fingers crossed theres something in an old tool box.
Make sure you use a socket with only 6 internal sides rather than one of those with multiple gripping points - there's less chance it will slip.
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by pbar »

Peter-S wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 10:16 pm Make sure you use a socket with only 6 internal sides

That's excellent advice, definitely second that.
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Re: Using Metal Weld On Diff Cover?

Post by Mc Tool »

And it doesn't hurt to give the bolts a bit of a whack with a hammer and punch, or a bit of heat on the bolt head if you suspect thread locking compound .As stevemarl says a ⅜ socket . I have bashed smaller sockets on before to remove rounded bolt or nuts . You sacrifice the bolts but they aint special or expensive .
A new cover is the way to go ,and considering your road salt I would get a decent coat of something on it before fitting .
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