What's new
By:
Filters

13 bolt covers

Blase

Blase

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Member Number
2043
Messages
180
Looking for guys that have experience running 13 bolt covers (that delete the lowest bolt) for the 14 bolt axle. I have had one ( I THINK either barnes or Ruf stuff) kicking around the shop for a couple of projects now. Never used it or even bolted it up to see how much it cut off.

Well over the weekend I go to install it and it leaves little to no seal area at the bottom which will see the most rock contact.

Has anyone had success keeping one of these covers sealed up?

The line that I scribed is the bottom of the over. I can leave another 1/8 so the cover isn't first thing dragging over the rocks. The sealing surface is the same regardless though.

13 bolt shave.jpg


13 bolt cover.jpg


I didn't take any of the cover itself but its pretty heavy duty! Just double checking to see if this is normal before I cut anything!!
 
Mine was cut then I welded a thin piece of plate on the bottom that hung past the cover so it wouldn’t catch. Ar plate would be sweet.
 
Rangerrod said:
Mine was cut then I welded a thin piece of plate on the bottom that hung past the cover so it wouldn’t catch. Ar plate would be sweet.
Click to expand...
I thought about doing that as well. Pc of 1/4 AR that sits flush with the cover would help it stay sealed i'd imagine.

Did you cut look about like what I have scribed?

Edit: I also considered pressing a SLIGHT bend into the cover so the center touches first and the two outside bolts pull it down.....but decided that's not a good idea to start with. I can always try that later IF it doesn't want to stay sealed up.
 
You should just get the tmr shave kit at this point:flipoff2:

I had one that i cut where you show it. Welded a piece of plate on the bottom like you describe and it held just fine for years. I did 1/4" but i think 1/8" ar would be fine, all your pressure will be pushing up into the cover. The only issue could be peel if you back into something.
I just used silicone on the entire L shape.
 
Sterlingfire said:
You should just get the tmr shave kit at this point:flipoff2:

I had one that i cut where you show it. Welded a piece of plate on the bottom like you describe and it held just fine for years. I did 1/4" but i think 1/8" ar would be fine, all your pressure will be pushing up into the cover. The only issue could be peel if you back into something.
I just used silicone on the entire L shape.
Click to expand...
Perfect!! Thats exactly what I was looking for.
 
I made a 13 bolt cover on mine out of a 14 bolt cover. I got a little too wild with the grinder and walla. A 13 bolt!:lmao: Does it leak? Hell yeah. I’ve just lived with the leak for years. :emb:
 
Blase said:
I thought about doing that as well. Pc of 1/4 AR that sits flush with the cover would help it stay sealed i'd imagine.

Did you cut look about like what I have scribed?

Edit: I also considered pressing a SLIGHT bend into the cover so the center touches first and the two outside bolts pull it down.....but decided that's not a good idea to start with. I can always try that later IF it doesn't want to stay sealed up.
Click to expand...
Yes that’s where mine was cut.
 
15 bolt FTW...

There's not that much more sealing surface on the 15 bolt one either.
 
I have a Motobilt cover on my buggy. I scribed it and added maybe 1/8" and then plated the entire bottom with 1/4" and left it overlap the cover. We've broken and dented the bottom of 14b's before, that cast center might as well be made of cheese. It's been sealed since 2020 with no issues.
 
I kept the 14th bolt and modified a stock cover. Ground smooth as a baby's ass. Works fine.
 
94toytruck said:
I have a Motobilt cover on my buggy. I scribed it and added maybe 1/8" and then plated the entire bottom with 1/4" and left it overlap the cover. We've broken and dented the bottom of 14b's before, that cast center might as well be made of cheese. It's been sealed since 2020 with no issues.
Click to expand...
I need to do that. Mine leaks like a sieve.
 
Coyote said:
I did a shave.
I applied a coat of JB Weld to help prevent future leaks.

1710937067340.jpeg
Click to expand...

I take it you don't trust your welding skills... If it was welded inside and out, how's it going to leak trough the welds....
 
Last edited:
i have the motobilt one. and works well

downtofab.com

Motobilt GM 10.5

Product Details: GM 10.5" 14 bolt rear axle differential cover Fits older and newer "Metric" housings (comes with both sets of bolts) Laser cut 3/8" steel outer ring Laser cut and CNC bent 1/4" cover Raw steel 3/4" NPT fill plug Removal of the lowest bolt hole allows for shaving ~1.250" of...
downtofab.com

Can makes foto's of the axle tomorrow. Mounted the cover and then with a recipro saw cut the chunck off....
 
YotaAtieToo said:
What about adding some material to the seal surface on the inside? Looks looks like a lot of room between the ring gear.
Click to expand...

That's kind of what I was thinking after looking at the pics posted - could weld some plate in, flat file, and have a pretty good sealing surface. I just did a TMR shave and doubt it has much more clearance then what you've got going... And not much more in the seal surface department
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Back Refresh