Hi all

After 10 years, on my JKU 2008, my stock front differential rub on the rocks too much And now the metal are really thin.
so I'm afraid it will break in 2 soon...

Do you think a new HD housing (like Teraflex or Currie) will last longer and will be fine with that for more than 10 years ?

What do you recommend for this situation ?

I have 37" tires and I run my Jeep.only for off road.

And does this situation happen to any one ?
Does it exist any protection to avoid that with my future new differential ?

Thanks all !

 

Since we now know this is a D44 and not a D30, some of this post does not apply and was deleted/edited.


Depending on the damage, add a diff skid (lots of companies make them, a quick google search will show a bunch of pics.) Or, swap to a new/used stock d44 housing and add a skid to that.
A $2000 aftermarket housing is an option, but it will benefit from a skid also so you aren't saving that cost. What you gain is a much stronger housing overall, plus the possible benefit of caster correction. (for off-road only, probably not a big plus?)

 

slapping a quality diff skid over that seems like the best financial decision to me.....unless you're just itching for an upgraded axle and this is the justification for one.

 

I'm not looking for differential update.
sure the skid plate will be a good solution
But before I have to repair my damaged differential.
Someone tell me it's possible to weld a kind of metal on my existing differential to reinforce it.
So maybe it's the good solution. Repair with new metal and after add skid plate on it.
I will look for that.
Thanks !

 

You should really just change out the differential cover for a stronger one and be done. RuffStuff makes one with a lifetime warranty against issues like you're describing. I have Solid brand covers and they had light interference with my tie rod but a grinder solved that issue.

​​Dana 30 3/8" Differential Cover - RuffStuff Specialties

​​​​​

 

Do you have pics of the damage?

 

I got the sense OP was talking about the actual cast pumpkin, not the cover. Pictures would definitely be helpful here cuz I can't fathom that much damage.

If you're talking about welding something to the pumpkin on a D30, it seems impractical in so many ways. A good skid is going to prevent that diff from ever touching the rocks again, so there's be no fear of damaging it further.

 

There is the picture.
You can see I replace my cover for ARB because old one leaking (it too much used and the bottom screw broke)
the cover suppose to be same height than the bottom of differential...
So I want to know first if it's dangerous because the metal it Skinner than original.
Or I can just stay like this and add skid plate to prevent more damage.
I talk with a welder and he can rebuild the bottom for 300$. Or 4x4 shop can add metal plate to prevent more.damaged for 150$.
What you will do in this case ?
Thanks !

 

 

I have no clue if the bolt holes even line up, but do you have a D44 cover on a D30 pumpkin?? There is no way that is the correct cover. You haven't worn your pumpkin that much, it's just not the right cover.