Ford Performance Rear Differential Cover Installed Impressions

[Mad Max]

I just installed the FP diff cover and dutifully followed the enclosed instructions, which say to torque those M8 bolts to 29.5 ft-lb, which sheared one flush with the housing.... aargh.

Got it out with an extractor but the other torque specs say 177 in-lbs (14.8 ft-lbs) plus 25 degrees.

That seems low. So I split the difference and went with 22 ft-lbs.

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[Hammerli22]

I just installed the FP diff cover and dutifully followed the enclosed instructions, which say to torque those M8 bolts to 29.5 ft-lb, which sheared one flush with the housing.... aargh.

Got it out with an extractor but the other torque specs say 177 in-lbs (14.8 ft-lbs) plus 25 degrees.

That seems low. So I split the difference and went with 22 ft-lbs.

I did the same thing. I broke the head off the bolt that holds the brake line. I don't get it why the other manual says 14.8 ft lb but the Ford manual for the high performance cover says 29 ft pounds. The bolts say 10.9 so they're like grade 8.

metric_tighten_torques.pdf https://share.google/ewzJkjxWNRo8Bhsfe

Anyway I also did 20 ft lb. I hope I don't have to take that cover off. I also use the magnetic drain plug from the old cover and put it in the new one so there's two magnetic plugs.

 

[SAS OBX SOB]

I am going to get the cover next time there is a promo.

Would it be crazy to use the new gasket and hold on to the OEM in the unlikely event I take the cover off down the road? Is there a way to store it without it degrading? I suppose I could always just buy an OEM one in the future.

Am I understanding that if I follow the torque specs, the bolts might shear?

Finally - anyone have issues with corrosion after time? The reviews on the FP website indicate that it’s a problem.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Hammerli22]

I am going to get the cover next time there is a promo.

Would it be crazy to use the new gasket and hold on to the OEM in the unlikely event I take the cover off down the road? Is there a way to store it without it degrading? I suppose I could always just buy an OEM one in the future.

Am I understanding that if I follow the torque specs, the bolts might shear?

Finally - anyone have issues with corrosion after time? The reviews on the FP website indicate that it’s a problem.

Thanks for any input.

Ford has a 20% sale right now. And if you have a Chase credit card that freedom card and you buy from ford.com irs giving it extra 8% . Time to buy it now. Just reuse the same gasket that you have on there now. Torque the bolts to 22 ft lb like someone listed and you'd be good to go. Take the magnetic plug on the old one and put it on the new one so you have two magnetic ones.

 

[23OBX2.7]

I would cross tighten torque to 15 with blue or red loctite it'll be fine. 22 is way too much for the stock bolts maybe there are hipo bolts too.....

Wire wheel and degrease bolts and round wire brush and degrease the holes before reinstall.

 

[redone17]

I’m preemptively getting mine powder coated to avoid the cracking/peeling paint and rust.

 

[Ducati1098]

I’m preemptively getting mine powder coated to avoid the cracking/peeling paint and rust.

It’s already powder coated . Just not very well apparently

 

[Brian_B]

I would cross tighten torque to 15 with blue or red loctite it'll be fine. 22 is way too much for the stock bolts maybe there are hipo bolts too.....

Red loctite

hard core

 

[redone17]

It’s already powder coated . Just not very well apparently

Right. They’re media blasting it and two tone powder for $100 - picked up and delivered. Figured better safe than sorry. I always felt the light silver color and bold logo stood out too much for my liking anyhow. Going stealthy. Black bronze to match the wheels (since they had extra product and I had them bring that color in just for me) with black lettering.

 

[Tybh88]

Has anyone purchased the 2026 restock. Did anyone mention that they fixed the premature failure in the powder coat?

 

[Tybh88]

Right. They’re media blasting it and two tone powder for $100 - picked up and delivered. Figured better safe than sorry. I always felt the light silver color and bold logo stood out too much for my liking anyhow. Going stealthy. Black bronze to match the wheels (since they had extra product and I had them bring that color in just for me) with black lettering.

How did this turn out?

 

[jsoa]

Has anyone purchased the 2026 restock. Did anyone mention that they fixed the premature failure in the powder coat?

they claimed it is fixed and I received my replacement two days ago, it does look clean, but I'll know more when I get to installing it

 

[Mean Green]

Got a email yesterday that mine shipped. It has been on back order for half a year… I sure hope they have fixed the issues and this is not a waste of time and effort…

 

[Tybh88]

I ordered mine from steeda back in march because the website said in-stock. Only to get a email that they are on back order. Thankfully a member with steeda has kept me posted during all the updates. And will reply within minutes via email. They are saying September so I figured i can wait it out some more since he has been premium on customer service.

 

[dstanky]

PSA: Just got a replacement in the mail as mine was cracking (powder coat) and rusting bad. Don't waste your time installing without having someone else strip and powder coat first.

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