CURSE YOU ROAD SALT!

[Oldtom]

I just got my 1998 Toyota truck back from the frame shop. The shop welded up the rust holes in the frame. Now, I notice oil dripping from the differential ( rear wheel drive only ) The vile road salt has eaten a pinhole in the heavy steel differential cover. Is there something quick and cheap that will stick to rusty metal and stop this leak? I was thinking something like JB Weld or even glass cloth and epoxy resin. The truck is too old for a new differential or rear assembly.

I am going to fluid film the underside yearly so this never happens again.

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Colt45ws]

Can you just find another cover and bolt it on?

 

[Farmer]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Can you just find another cover and bolt it on?


+1, if you have a local pick and pull I would start there.

 

[Oldtom]

The cover is a one piece steel casting. It is not removable. I am told it is similar to a Ford differential.

 

[Nate1979]

It's probably a miracle it has lasted this long. It's an 18 year old truck!

 

[ZeeOSix]

Salt sucks. I've got an 11 year old Tacoma that is still like new ... zero rust anywhere because it never sees salted roads.

 

[dlundblad]

Drain it then have the shop attempt to patch the hole?

Toyota axles definitely are unique although I have never seen a Ford axle with a similar design.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Drain it then have the shop attempt to patch the hole?

Toyota axles definitely are unique although I have never seen a Ford axle with a similar design.
Ford 8 inch, Ford 9 inch, old 50s Chevy.

 

[Trav]

Common problem and an easy fix for the welder.

http://www.barnes4wd.com/Toyota-Pick-Up-Heavy-Duty-Differential-Cover_p_228.html

 

[OneEyeJack]

I've heard of salting the roads but people where I live don't believe everything they hear. Next thing you know, you'll be telling us that the weather outside gets colder than my refrigerator on the inside and sometimes even colder than my freezer.

 

[EvanD]

drain it,clean it and jb weld the hole.

 

[Trav]

That wont last, the hole is many times bigger than what came through and not the only one about ready to break through. That whole cover is probably soft.
Why not just replace the cover, its easy as it gets?

 

[Donald]

If you wanted to keep the vehicle a long time you should have treated it for rust many years ago.

I would replace the diff. cover if possible.

 

[doitmyself]

Some years ago, Ford trucks had a problem with oil pans rusting out. Replacing it was very labor intensive and expensive.

An epoxy repair solution actually came out that was cost effective and often extended the pan life quite well.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ford+oil+pan+epoxy+repair&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Originally Posted By: hatt
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Drain it then have the shop attempt to patch the hole?

Toyota axles definitely are unique although I have never seen a Ford axle with a similar design.
Ford 8 inch, Ford 9 inch, old 50s Chevy.


+ 8 3/4" Mopar and Pontiac/Olds 9.3"

 

[gomes512]

The cover on that differential isn't removable. But it can be replaced by carefully cutting it off with a cut-off wheel. A new cover/cap is welded in place. I haven't seen any slightly oversized caps/covers that fit over the existing stock ones but sounds like something that should exist. I know 4WD parts places sell HD replacements for off-roading, check out Barnes 4WD.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Can you just find another cover and bolt it on?


'Yotas have a "pumpkin" style axle with a removable center section like an old Chrysler 8-3/4" or Ford 9". The "cover" is the axle housing itself... not replaceable. That said, I can't imagine the amount of corrosion it would take to eat thru one of those!

 

[Trav]

Its an hour job, I posted a link to the new cover early in this thread.