Does your rear end need a new girdle? Hmm, bet that got your attention didn't it? Actually, T/A Performance call their performance differential covers "Girdles". This is a very good description for them, so the term is befitting. There is much more to them than just an appealing appearance (that's just an added bonus). Follow along as we do an install and review to find out what they are and what they are constructed of. We installed T/A Performance's awesome aluminum covers on Project RocKready. We installed both the front (Dana 44) and rear (G.M. Truck 12 bolt) in just a little over an hour with very few tools. Not only do these covers provide a lot of convenience, but they also provide added support where you need it most. Here are both covers shown in their shipping boxes. Click for full size image Here are both covers shown from the side. Click for full size image Front cover and included gasket, bolts and instructions. Click for full size image Rear cover and included gasket, bolts and instructions. Click for full size image
Installation was simple and straight forward. Begin with removing your old covers. Be sure to drain and properly dispose of the used gear oil. Next, clean the gasket mating surface on the differential. In the past I used a gasket scraper and steel wool for this step. However, I recently acquired an air compressor and air tools, which I chose to complete this step for our project. I used a 1/4" right angle die grinder and 3m cleaning pads. This made quick and effortless work out of an otherwise aggravating task. I then took the new T/A Performance cover and backed the two bearing cap load bolts out far enough to prevent contact with the carrier bearing caps when installing the cover. Once that was completed I took the new T/A Performance cover and gasket and started two bolts on the top of each cover. This was done to hold the cover and gasket in proper alignment for the rest of the bolts. I installed the rest of the bolts by hand. After just a few turns they were all started. Next, I tightened four of the bolts on the outside of the cover, at evenly spaced intervals, until the heads were positioned in the countersink holes in the cover. This allowed the cover to remain in the proper position. Then, I tightened the rest of the bolts and torqued them to 25 ft lbs., as stated in the instructions. On the rear cover an extra long bolt and longer spacer is provided to enable use of the stock brake line bracket. Old front cover. Ooo, nasty. It gets taken off-road regularly. Click for full size image Rear cover is off and the diff has been cleaned. Click for full size image Here are the included cover bolts and washers. Also, the longer bolt and spacer for the rear cover. Click for full size image Front cover installed and axle ready for new fluid. Click for full size image
Believe it or not, the most difficult part of our installation was complete and it was time to fill up the pumpkins with oil. (Before doing this, remove the drain plug and add either Teflon tape or pipe thread sealer). I tightened the load bolts and set their lock nuts to keep them stationary. The load bolts require the same size Allen wrench as the cover bolts, which is 1/4". The lock nuts have different sizes, depending on which cover you have. The Dana 44 front cover had a smaller size lock nut since it's load bolts were countersunk into the cover for tie rod end clearance. The Dana 44 cover is a brand new design and had only recently become available when I took possession of these covers. There will also be a 14 bolt full floater cover making it's debut. This product should be available by the time you read this. For added convenience, the covers come supplied with both fill and drain plugs. That's right, I said drain plugs as well! The drain plug uses the standard 1/4" Allen wrench for installation or removal, while the fill plug uses a 3/8" Allen wrench. Both covers offer an additional 1/2 quart of gear fluid capacity if you chose to use it. Load bolts and lock nuts. Left is the 12 bolt. Right is the Dana 44 Click for full size image Exceptional machine work done on the center bar of the front cover. Click for full size image
Following is a brief history as well as a few tech specs of the T/A performance Girdles: The T/A Rear End Girdle is based on the Geise Girdle which was developed in the early 1970's. T/A Performance bought the remainder of the patent and began to produce an improved and upgraded version of the Girdle. After refusing to produce a less expensive, thus lower quality cover for large parts wholesalers, T/A Performance soon discovered that mock copies of their cover were being produced and sold. Though the other covers appear very similar to the T/A cover, many important qualities are absent. An independent dealer that was contemplating which product he would use to promote, purchased one of each cover and performed his own tests. He placed each cover, one at a time, in a hand operated press. He pumped the jack and the "copy" cover began to flex while he was able to continue pumping. The T/A cover never showed any signs of flexing, even after it was impossible to pump the handle any further and with the 200+ pound man hanging off the pump handle. The fit, finish, and quality of hardware was also noted, so the T/A cover inevitably sold itself. Recently, T/A Performance did a quick check of the dealer's previous test, by using an air powered press. At 10,000 psi of pressure there were no signs of flexing. The T/A cover is also the only cover to be tested and approved by a leading auto manufacturer. Ford Motor Company spent 2 years evaluating the T/A cover and approved it for their SVO line. Yes, the SVO cover used by Ford is made by T/A Performance. T/A Performance produce their own covers at their Scottsdale, Arizona facility, utilizing CNC milling machines. The T/A cover also uses specially made hardware which meets the highest specifications, no "off-the-shelf" hardware is used. Everything from the washers, the mounting bolts to the load bolts, are designed and manufactured with the ultimate in strength and durability factored in. The result, a cover that will perform every time the throttle is floored and every time that the wheels bite hard or break free. You will be glad that the ultimate bolt on support for your axle is silently at work. Even the gaskets are specially made to ensure the highest sealing capabilities and the reduce dissimilar (galvanic) metal corrosion. T/A Performance produces and sells thousands of covers annually through a network of dealers and directly to the public. So ask your dealer who manufactures their cover and if they don't reply T/A Performance, then you might be buying a false sense of security. T/A Performance covers are used in various industries which include the Motor Sports Industry itself. From Street Cars to 8 second drag cars; from weekend off road trucks to 700+ Horsepower Baja Trucks. Whichever industry you chose, you can rest assured that if you chose T/A Performance covers as your cover of choice, you've made a solid and reliable choice. * The T/A Performance Girdles are made of 356 aircraft grade aluminum, heat treated to T6 specifications, each cover is then stress relieved. * The covers are machined using a 3 step CNC process, which ensures accuracy and quality. *Each cover is hand de-burred and inspected for the utmost in fit and finish. Then each cover is hand assembled and packaged. * All Girdles incorporate a Fill Port and a Drain Port for ease of servicing. * All Girdles incorporate 2 load bolts with swivel "feet" for supporting the bearing caps. * All Girdles increase fluid capacity by approximately 1/2 quart. * All Girdles show a decrease in operating temperature. * Average weight, 7 lbs. * Improves Undercarriage Appearance. The covers are available for Ford and G.M. applications. Take a moment and browse their site for full application details. Any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at the address below. See ya on the trails! Glenn depdog@off-road.com
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