Installation Manual

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WORK SAFELY! For maximum safety, perform this installation on a clean, level surface and with the

engine turned off. Place blocks or wedges in front of and behind both rear wheels to prevent

movement in either direction.

CAUTION: To avoid any possibility of bodily injury or damage to vehicle, do not attempt installation

until you are confident that the vehicle is safely secured and will not move.

INTRODUCTION

This B&M Cast Aluminum Differential Cover has been designed to work on most GM vehicles

equipped with a Chevy 8.2”, 8.5” & 8.6” 10 bolt style rear axle. The cover provides several

advantages over stock factory covers. The extra capacity provides increased oil volume and added

cooling, while the thick aluminum construction increases case rigidity. The reinforced center bar,

along with the load bolts, prevents bearing cap deflection under severe loads. The magnetic drain

plug feature allows regular gear oil changes without the usual mess, and limits ferrous debris from

circulating in the axle.

This differential cover can be installed in about an hour by carefully following the instructions. It is

suggested that the vehicle be allowed to cool off for a few hours to avoid burns from hot oil and parts.

The vehicle should be off the ground for ease of installation - jack stands, wheel ramps or a hoist will

work fine. MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS FIRMLY SUPPORTED - DO NOT WORK UNDER A VEHICLE

IF IT IS SUPPORTED BY ONLY A JACK! Try to raise the vehicle 1-2 feet so you will have plenty of

room to work. Also, have a small box to put bolts in and a drain pan to catch oil.

INSTALLATION

1. Clean axle housing cover area from dirt and other debris.

NOTE: On some vehicles it might be necessary to remove some parts (e.g. sway bar, panhard rod) to

make the installation of the cover easier.

2. Place a drain pan underneath the axle housing.

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Installation Instructions

Cast Aluminum Differential Cover - Black

Fits: Chevy 8.2”, 8.5” & 8.6” 10 Bolt

See Application Guide for Specific Vehicles

Catalog # 71502

3. Remove the axle housing fill plug with a 3/8” square

ratchet and extension (See Figure 1).

NOTE: The fill plug is on the cover on newer vehicles with

an 8.6” axle.

Fig. 1

xle housing fill plug

Front of vehicle

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
Installation Instructions Cast Aluminum Differential Cover - Black Fits: Chevy 8.2”, 8.5” & 8.6” 10 Bolt See Application Guide for Specific Vehicles Catalog # 71502 WORK SAFELY! For maximum safety, perform this installation on a clean, level surface and with the engine turned off. Place blocks or wedges in front of and behind both rear wheels to prevent movement in either direction.
PAGE 2
4. Remove all the bolts except one at the top. Loosen the remaining bolt but do not remove. 5. Carefully pry the cover loose with a flat head screw driver, being careful not to damage the surface, and allow the oil to drain. 6. Remove the last bolt and the cover once completely drained. 7. Using a dry lint free rag, clean the accessible areas of the axle housing and check internal components for visible excessive wear or other problems. 8.
PAGE 3
12. Install the B&M Cast Aluminum Differential Cover on the axle housing using a supplied bolt and washer at a bottom hole on the cover so it can be used as a guide. 13. Install the rest of the supplied bolts and washers and torque to 15ft.lb in a crisscross pattern. 14. Screw in the two load bolts by hand until they just touch the bearing caps. Torque the load bolts to 5ft.lb MAXIMUM (this is equivalent to finger-tight without using any tool (hex-wrench)).
PAGE 4
Parts List Tools List (1) Cast Aluminum Cover (2) Load Bolts (2) Jam Nuts (1) ¼” NPTF Drain Plug (1) ½” NPT Filler Plug (10) 5/16”-18 Bolts (10) 5/16” Washers (10) M8-1.