Can I bead blast assembled differential?

[Kimodc]

I had my 8 3/4 diff sent out to have new seals, bearings, and a Tru Trac added. They said they would clean it up and paint it as well. I realized when I picked it up that their idea of cleaning and painting is far different from mine.

My question is, can I use a small bead blaster on some of the hard to reach nooks and crevices if I don’t blast directly at any of the seals? I want to leave it all assembled but don’t want to damage anything with flying sand. I plan on using wire brushes on easy to reach areas.

 

[Don Frelier]

I would think you could duct tape off the axles, pinion shaft and vent opening (where the brake line tee bolts on) and blast the rest of it.
It will work much better than a wirewheel or brush. Basically seal any openings where seals are.

 

[threewood]

I wouldn't. At minimum, bolt it back into the housing if you want to blast it.

 

[Don Frelier]

I think he's talking about the whole third member, not just the carrier.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

If the shop didn't clean the housing outside, how well did they clean up the internal stuff? I would be looking very close.....

 

[CudaChick1968]

I wouldn't if it was mine. Even a GREAT masking job can let media dust and fine particles in.

X2 re @Big Bad Dad's comment above. If you don't have confidence in what the shop did to the outside, can you truly trust what they did elsewhere?

 

[chtampa]

I was at first inclined to agree with the no and then it occurred to me that driving also generates dust, sand and rocks. Can't see much difference.


Edit: If you are for sure concerned, weld an air chuck onto an old vent shank and then a low pressure air source to supply minor pressure to the inside of the axle housing.

 

[69 GTX]

The difference is the velocity 65mph vs. 200+ mph for blaster.

 

[493 Mike]

I had my 8 3/4 diff sent out to have new seals, bearings, and a Tru Trac added. They said they would clean it up and paint it as well. I realized when I picked it up that their idea of cleaning and painting is far different from mine.

My question is, can I use a small bead blaster on some of the hard to reach nooks and crevices if I don’t blast directly at any of the seals? I want to leave it all assembled but don’t want to damage anything with flying sand. I plan on using wire brushes on easy to reach areas.

Is it installed in the axle housing? If so, just seal the gap between the slinger and the front of the carrier casting to keep the pinion seal safe and the housing vent also should be sealed (duct tape).
Mike

 

[Kimodc]

Thanks for the responses, I see they are about as mixed as my thoughts were. I think I will go ahead and do some blasting, just being careful to tape off pinion and axle seals and vent. The trans axle is all assembled (Just bare brake backing plates)

The condition of the outside of the diff does have me skeptical of the work done inside, however, I not confident enough in my abilities to tear it apart and check. The tearing apart would be okay, the putting back together with all the right tolerances and play is my hesitation. The shop is a very well known and respected shop, with a 12k mike warranty..... I think I will clean it, paint it, and run it

Thanks again for your thoughts!

 

[fratzog lover]

Thanks for the responses, I see they are about as mixed as my thoughts were. I think I will go ahead and do some blasting, just being careful to tape off pinion and axle seals and vent. The trans axle is all assembled (Just bare brake backing plates)

The condition of the outside of the diff does have me skeptical of the work done inside, however, I not confident enough in my abilities to tear it apart and check. The tearing apart would be okay, the putting back together with all the right tolerances and play is my hesitation. The shop is a very well known and respected shop, with a 12k mike warranty..... I think I will clean it, paint it, and run it

Thanks again for your thoughts!

It's a shame you have to go through this. As I have had my bathroom redone twice and its still not right. I feel your pain.

 

[dadsbee]

Tape it tight where needed and have at'r. A lot easier to seal off a rear axle than an engine that's for sure. Anyone needing to do a pumkin, put it in a bucket with the lip lined with grease. An engine takes a lot of work to seal up. A rear axle, sounds pretty easy!

 

[Suregrip391]

I’ve done whole axle housings with all ends taped up tight. Never an issue. Clean it out when done if your worried. Use cans of brake clean and wipe it out. Bear in mind though, the ones I’ve done were then completely rebuilt. New bearings, seals, races, etc...