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Diff housing restoration

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:34 pm
by 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

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:37 pm
by foxracing_is
What do you think is wrong with sand blasting?

Angle grinder with flap disc works well.

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:48 pm
by TheBigBoy
Have to clean every little bit of sand out of the housing to make sure it does get into the bearings.

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:57 am
by 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.

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:07 pm
by 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.

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:36 pm
by 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.

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:58 pm
by 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.... :lol: :lol:

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:30 pm
by ledgend80
have a look on offroad80s or lcool there is a guy who has dipped his front and rear diff back to bare metal

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:34 pm
by TheBigBoy
Can you send me the link. Ive already looked at offroad80s :)

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 2:23 pm
by ledgend80
near the bottom of the page

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

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 2:35 pm
by TheBigBoy
have to be a member to see it. Got the offroad 80s 1?

Re: Diff housing restoration

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:31 pm
by ledgend80
near the bottom of page 4

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