Differential Cover
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2016
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Differential Cover
Anybody have thoughts on the new Banks rear differential cover? Sometimes it's hard to separate the snake oil from legitimate solutions but there are a couple features that seem like winners to me. Mainly for me the drain plug and sight glass fill level indicator. The cooling feature seems legit if it actually works. I had a Detroit TruTrac installed recently and it calls for conventional gear oil so I'll be changing it more often. Drain and fill sure would be nice rather than peeling the cover off and scraping the gasket material off every time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
There are a series of videos on YouTube about diff covers from Banks. Gale himself narrates And explains the Tech behind them. Pretty interesting watch. I believe the truck in the videos is a Dodge but if they went to that much trouble on the Ford model it should be jam-up.
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2016
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There are a series of videos on YouTube about diff covers from Banks. Gale himself narrates And explains the Tech behind them. Pretty interesting watch. I believe the truck in the videos is a Dodge but if they went to that much trouble on the Ford model it should be jam-up.
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More Turbo
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Scoops don’t sit any lower than the bottom of the diff and are designed to break away and not compromise the seal if they are hit.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
Yeah, I know. Then you’re left with one or no scoops. Above the Ford aluminum cover, I just don’t see the purpose. Admittedly skeptical of most aftermarket mo’ better items. Just my viewpoint, anyone can do what they want. It will be a good addition to your list.
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Thread Starter
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More Turbo
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Yeah, I know. Then you’re left with one or no scoops. Above the Ford aluminum cover, I just don’t see the purpose. Admittedly skeptical of most aftermarket mo’ better items. Just my viewpoint, anyone can do what they want. It will be a good addition to your list.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
That happens. One of the guys who worked in my shop used to go out into the Pinebarrens, went through an old gravel pit with clay mud. One of the spokes ended up with a pocket of mud caught and dried. He could not firgure it out until he went to re-balance the tires. It just didn't show.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
We're going to have a little difference of opinion. LMAO. 
Unless you are talking about a clean drain, I prefer getting the cover off to clean out the debris that collects in the differential sump.
Unless you are talking about a clean drain, I prefer getting the cover off to clean out the debris that collects in the differential sump.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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I have to admit that I have had my cover off twice in 225k miles (then around 175k miles for the cover change to the PPE), but it (debris) just hasn't been an issue for me in that mileage.
The presence of a drain plug doesn't prevent an owner from a periodic cover removal on some frequency ...................
I like frequent fluid changes (even though I wasn't good at it with the differential at first), and I plan to remove the cover at 300k (if I ever get that far). I will have (planning to do so) drained and replaced fluids at least twice before reaching 300k (between 175k and 300k).
YMMV ....
The presence of a drain plug doesn't prevent an owner from a periodic cover removal on some frequency ...................
I like frequent fluid changes (even though I wasn't good at it with the differential at first), and I plan to remove the cover at 300k (if I ever get that far). I will have (planning to do so) drained and replaced fluids at least twice before reaching 300k (between 175k and 300k).
YMMV ....
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
I've been, and typically have changed at 50k, 100k, then 200k for our personal vehicles. The 50k was the most debris for my two Superdutys, deminishing afterwards. That should be typical with debris reduction, the gears are worn in.
At the testing facility, I had the schedule at 20k, but all the vehicles ran under GVW 90% of the time and rapid acceleration for half of the tests, doing fade resistance stops. We were lucky to get a Jeep to make it to 10k without wiping a gear set. Jeeps became change all fluids at 5k. Firebird/Camaro could get to 50k. Ford's 100k in general, with the exception of mid 80's F-150. I had an 800 number to call Dearborn to send another palletize axle.
The wear debris will alsways be dependent on the workload. And contamination dependent on water excursions.
At the testing facility, I had the schedule at 20k, but all the vehicles ran under GVW 90% of the time and rapid acceleration for half of the tests, doing fade resistance stops. We were lucky to get a Jeep to make it to 10k without wiping a gear set. Jeeps became change all fluids at 5k. Firebird/Camaro could get to 50k. Ford's 100k in general, with the exception of mid 80's F-150. I had an 800 number to call Dearborn to send another palletize axle.
The wear debris will alsways be dependent on the workload. And contamination dependent on water excursions.