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Bluetorch 14FF Diff Cover.... WTF!!!!

S

scrappy88

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Just got a Bluetorch Fabworks diff cover for my 14 bolt. This thing is damn heavy and very nicely done. But I wish they actually did some measuring and put down the crack pipe before they drew up the design because the damn ring gear is rubbing on the cover!!!!!! And not by just a little bit, I mean a lot! The cover won't seat on the axle housing by well over 1/4". WTF!

Anyone else bought one of these covers? I'm waaaaaaaaay pissed off right about now. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what the hell is up with this. /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif
 
I have one sitting on the kitchen table, I'm gonna go try and put it on for the first time now.
 
after runing outside in my underwear and sneackers in the rain to discover IT DOES RUB! I am gonna call too.
 
Do you by any chance have thick gears? I have a strange feeling that might have something to do with it. I have 4.88 thick gears on mine.
 
factory 4.10s. I think mine just rubs. I only put two bolts in and didn't tighten. Then I turned the pinion and it rubbed. I can't bolt it on right now thanks to sleeping medicationm but I was able to put two bolts in and turn the pinion and it rubs.
 
Thick gears won't affect the distance the gear sticks out. Thick gears only go out more, hence the name "thick gears." /forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
 
I know that. What I mean is that since the gears are sticking out to the right of the carrier more than factory gears, that maybe it is hitting a part of the cover where it starts to taper down. Maybe they didn't take thick gears or 4.56 factory gears into consideration when they designed the cover.
 
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after runing outside in my underwear and sneackers in the rain to discover IT DOES RUB! I am gonna call too.

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That's funny dude, good luck with the fit....
 
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I know that. What I mean is that since the gears are sticking out to the right of the carrier more than factory gears, that maybe it is hitting a part of the cover where it starts to taper down. Maybe they didn't take thick gears or 4.56 factory gears into consideration when they designed the cover.

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That's a good thought, but it doesn't hold water. Thick gears do not go any farther to the pinion side than normal gears, they are thick to compensate for the flange that the ring gear bolts to being offset farther to the other side. For the gear to stick out any farther to the pinion side the pinion would also have to be moved over.
 
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For the gear to stick out any farther to the pinion side the pinion would also have to be moved over.

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I disagree. The pinion is smaller for lower geared R&P sets. The ring gear could very well be moved over a little further. In that case it wouldn't be because of the thick gears used, just the low ratio. No matter which ring gear you use, a lower geared axle is gonna have a smaller pinion.

Might only be a few thousandths we're talking here, but I'd think that the ring gear would be over to the right hand side just a hair so it can mesh with the smaller pinion.

I *could* be talking out my ass here, but the way it looks inside an axle housing, what I've said makes sense to me.
 
What you're saying makes perfect sense, but I was under the impression that we were talking about thick vs. thin gearsets, not different ratio sets compared to one another.
 
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What you're saying makes perfect sense, but I was under the impression that we were talking about thick vs. thin gearsets, not different ratio sets compared to one another.

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Well both kinda go together. To get a lower ratio with a stock carrier, you go to a thick gearset....so typcially, the "thick" gear is gonna be a lower gear than you started with.
 
We're just arguing semantics. I realize that a deeper gearset will have a ring gear that's closer to the centerline of the pinion, but that wasn't the point that I was making in my post. I understand what you're saying and I agree. Either way, be it because of a thick gear or just a deep gearset, I don't think that that small amount that the ring gear is moved over is the cause of the diff cover not fitting. Sounds to me like the cover was just made improperly.
 
I agree. Either way the product should work. Since it won't work with stock 4.10 gearing obviously there is an issue with it.
 
Could it be that after the made it that they fly milled it to have a true surface and this caused the difference in the dimensions? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Chris
 
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Could it be that after the made it that they fly milled it to have a true surface and this caused the difference in the dimensions? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Chris

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Not enuff to cause a 1/4" problem. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

hehe....Another reason to buy Jethro-Bilt. /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
Crap, I was seriously going to install mine tonite. I wasn't going to bring this up, but when I put my front on, one of the bottom holes was about 1/8" off, just enough so I couldn't get it in. So I had to wallow out the friggin hole on my new $150 diff cover. This is all with fresh RTV all over it. I called Bluetorch and they made my problem right...I think we just need to call them. Post up what they say, cause I'm not even interested in putting mine on if I have to reinstall the stock cover, cuss, spit, and throw things.... /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif
 
You know your a redneck when::

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after runing outside in my underwear and sneackers in the rain

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just kidding,,, I couldent resist...

I was checking out those blue torch covers too but now I think Ill stick with the Crane plan.
 
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