Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps - Page 2 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Jagdpanzer · 01-01-2010

Craig,
Before going to the trouble of crack testing see if the lines will clean up with a little sanding and buffiing. If they do then you are good to go.

Here is a source for a dye penetrant inspection kit.
http://www.cylinderheadsupply.com/spbyma.html

Jagdpanzer · 01-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

So the caps looked like this on all the ones that you worked on? These really look like cracks and I'll go in the garage now to check it and hit it with some 400 grit as suggested.

Yes

Polo-1 · 01-01-2010

look the same as the 3 I've done.

flyin ryan · 01-01-2010

Craig...if you do buy those billet caps, don't think they are 100% for sure just going to bolt on without at least checking to make sure the housing bore is 'Round' with the caps in place & TQ'ed up. It's like our cam cover's, don't want to mix them up. Little more leway with a rearend bearing because of it's race, but I'd still check...

All you really need is one cap anyways, if you were trying to save a buck. All the rearends I've done, 85% of the time I put a good cap on the one side that takes the major load, Billet caps on both sides is a little extreme unless you've got 16x32's out back

.

01-01-2010

Thanks Phil, Kevin and Ryan,

I did a little sanding with 400 grit and I think these are not cracks but will check them again on another day. I sanded a few of the light ones and it appears to get smooth, but the big ones are not really going away and will try to take a better look with light and magnifying glass to see it better. I have a feeling it is as stated and if folks have see it before then probably so and I should not worry about it. I have enough problems and cost already.............

Happy New Year!!!

4DSZR1 · 01-01-2010

if you compare the lines we're talking about on each cap with the other cap you can see that they both have the same lines in the same relative spot, indicating casting marks.... looks like casting lines to me.

1991ZR1 · 01-01-2010

I have similar lines on bearing caps on a spare Dana 44.

When I asked about these lines, I got similar responses. Some people were concerned and others said that it was normal. I notice that the lines do not continue past the mold lines. I would guess that a crack would not stop at the mold lines.

01-02-2010

Thanks to all that replied, especially 1991ZR1; I am convinced they are castings as they look indentical to the photo posted and in the same exact areas. I guess it is time for some glasses so I can see better. Only the fine lines can be sanded off and I decided to stop on the larger ones as it was just removing material and I am already convinced. Thanks again!!!!

01-01-2010	#11
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,646	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps Craig, Before going to the trouble of crack testing see if the lines will clean up with a little sanding and buffiing. If they do then you are good to go. Here is a source for a dye penetrant inspection kit. http://www.cylinderheadsupply.com/spbyma.html

01-01-2010	#13
Polo-1 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 956	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps look the same as the 3 I've done.

01-01-2010	#14
flyin ryan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta or Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 2,736	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps Craig...if you do buy those billet caps, don't think they are 100% for sure just going to bolt on without at least checking to make sure the housing bore is 'Round' with the caps in place & TQ'ed up. It's like our cam cover's, don't want to mix them up. Little more leway with a rearend bearing because of it's race, but I'd still check... All you really need is one cap anyways, if you were trying to save a buck. All the rearends I've done, 85% of the time I put a good cap on the one side that takes the major load, Billet caps on both sides is a little extreme unless you've got 16x32's out back .

01-01-2010	#15
HAWAIIZR-1 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps Thanks Phil, Kevin and Ryan, I did a little sanding with 400 grit and I think these are not cracks but will check them again on another day. I sanded a few of the light ones and it appears to get smooth, but the big ones are not really going away and will try to take a better look with light and magnifying glass to see it better. I have a feeling it is as stated and if folks have see it before then probably so and I should not worry about it. I have enough problems and cost already............. Happy New Year!!!

01-01-2010	#16
4DSZR1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 688	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps if you compare the lines we're talking about on each cap with the other cap you can see that they both have the same lines in the same relative spot, indicating casting marks.... looks like casting lines to me.

01-01-2010	#17
1991ZR1 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 90	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps I have similar lines on bearing caps on a spare Dana 44. When I asked about these lines, I got similar responses. Some people were concerned and others said that it was normal. I notice that the lines do not continue past the mold lines. I would guess that a crack would not stop at the mold lines.

01-02-2010	#18
HAWAIIZR-1 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Looking for advice on these differential bearing caps Thanks to all that replied, especially 1991ZR1; I am convinced they are castings as they look indentical to the photo posted and in the same exact areas. I guess it is time for some glasses so I can see better. Only the fine lines can be sanded off and I decided to stop on the larger ones as it was just removing material and I am already convinced. Thanks again!!!!