C2 differential cover

[Steve D.]

How frequent does a differential cover "break" ? Mine looks good on visual inspection. Any concerns if expected use is for regular driving, with occasional tire spinning?

Steve

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 differential cover

Steve - I believe it is much more of an issue when installing the spring, care to follow the procedure in the service manuals is important, no bolt tigthening without vehicle load present. When they break, it is very evident....I expect you will not have issues while in service. Craig

[Bryan L.]

Re: C2 differential cover

I think they mainly break while pulling down the spring anchor bolts. If you don't have the spring flattened with the weight of the car and you try to torque down the bolts the outside part of the cover may break off.

Don't know about burnouts or tire spin, I've never done a burnout in a C2. Ask Jerry Clark about that.

BL

[Michael W.]

Never done a burnout

I got pictures that say different.

[Steve D.]

Re: C2 differential cover

Craig

I have the body off and am starting to reassemble the chassis. Is there a preferred technique for weighting the spring without the body?

Steve

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 differential cover

Hmmm - I bet there is. I had my body on though. Maybe Wayne or Jerry will chime in...this has to be a common operation during frame restoration with body off. I have a 4 post lift and can think of ways to do it in conjunction with that, but I am assuming you have a chassis on a concrete floor and will approach it from that perspective. Obviously weight applied to the frame near the axle centerline will work, but there may be a good way to draw it up using a bar across the frame rails and some long threaded rods going down to a cross strap under the spring. In other words, instead of relying on vehicle weight and upward jacking pressure to flatten the spring, use upward draw pressure from the topside of the frame since you have access. But I am just thinking of how I would approach the problem not having done it this way myself....Craig

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 differential cover

Steve-----

As others have advised, the real danger of a broken cover occurs at the time that a spring is installed. De-arching the spring, as has been described, is VERY important prior to tightening the 4 spring plate bolts.

Also,ALWAYS check to be sure that the spring center bolt head is not longer than the original center bolt head. Many replacement center bolts, including the one currently supplied by GM, have a longer head than the originals. Many replacement springs are also fitted with this longer-head bolt. The bolt head ABSOLUTELY MUST fit into the recess provided for it in the cover AND do so with "room to spare" and NOT bottoming out. If it does, you will almost CERTAINLY crack the cover ears off when you tighten the plate bolts EVEN IF you have first de-arched the spring. You MUST ensure that the center bolt head is no longer than the original center bolt; grind it down and/or generously bevel the top (for installation ease), if necessary.