Diff housing restoration

[TheBigBoy]

Hey gents, whats the easiest and best way to clean surface rust off an old diff housing?

I know better than to sand blast it. Is dipping it ok? Ive also been told to spray it with brakefluid and leave for a while.

Cheers TBB

[foxracing_is]

What do you think is wrong with sand blasting?

Angle grinder with flap disc works well.

[TheBigBoy]

Have to clean every little bit of sand out of the housing to make sure it does get into the bearings.

[toughnut]

As with most things. It is all about how you prep it and whether you are trying to clean it while on the car or assembled/disassembled etc. But if you're worried about it then use a wire wheel. The brass ones are a little better because they won't leave any trace metal to rust under fresh paint.

[TheBigBoy]

Its a complete front diff disk to disk. But, I will strip it back to just the bare housing. I was hoping the was an easier and better way than just a wire wheel.

[toughnut]

Keep the diff center in the housing and mask off the ends and sand blast what you can then remove the center and the masking and complete the rest with a wire wheel and flapper discs.

[CRUZAAMAD]

id sandblast, as tough nut said, stuff a rag in the diff tube but use quality tape and wrap the outer tube.
and use an epoxy paint, industrial if you can get it, best stuff, and last loong time......and then....and then....

[ledgend80]

have a look on offroad80s or lcool there is a guy who has dipped his front and rear diff back to bare metal

[TheBigBoy]

Can you send me the link. Ive already looked at offroad80s

[ledgend80]

near the bottom of the page

http://www.lcool.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 76&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TheBigBoy]

have to be a member to see it. Got the offroad 80s 1?

[ledgend80]

near the bottom of page 4

http://www.offroad80s.com/duramax-fzj80 ... t7348.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;