GM Torsen 8.0/8.6 10 Bolt Rear Differential Cover

Part Number 11035

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Volume: 0.5 qt. over stock

Dimensions: Click here for dimensions.

Benefits:

• Extra capacity
• Fins for heat dissipation
• Heavy duty sand cast aluminum construction
• Drain hole and magnetic drain plug provided for oil changes without removing cover
• Thick gasket surface for a secure seal
• New mounting bolts provided
• Optional machining for a level check hole on face of cover

Applications

Vehicles that have had this PML differential cover installed are:

• 2002 – 2012 Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon
• 2003 – 2006 Chevrolet SSR with automatic transmission
• 2002 – 2005 GMC Envoy, except SS
• 2005 – 2009 Saab 9-7X 4.2L
• 2002 – 2009 Trailblazer, except SS
• 2006 – 2007 Trailblazer EXT / GMC Envoy XUV (except SS)

We have had great feedback from many folks with SSRs, Envoys, Canyon, Colorado, and a 2008 4.2L Saab 9-7X owner.

This cover may also work on:

• 2002 – 2004 Olds Bravada
• 2005 Buick Renier
• Many models of Audi, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Subaru

Always check your vehicle to verify your differential and clearance before ordering. Vehicle configurations vary. Some Colorado trucks, especially those with the 5.3L engine, need the similar GM 8.5 10 bolt differential cover.

On some vehicles, the housing may be stamped "AAM" for American Axle Manufacturing.

Drain and Fill

This cover has a fill hole on the top and a drain hole on the bottom. All hardware, including a a magnetic drain plug, is included.

Level Check Hole Optional Machining

The level check is on the passenger/right side of the differential. If that level check is not usable, this PML cover can be machined for a level check. This is an option and there is a $45 machining charge. It must be ordered over the phone.

The circular boss on the front of the part can be machined with a 1/8 NPT. This hole can serve as an alternative level check location. This is an option that must be ordered over the phone. There is a machining charge. A plug is included.

Images show: (1) PML cover with 1/8 NPT hole on the front, (2) PML cover with plug in hole, (3) Computer drawing of PML cover on a differential and level check location

   
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Always verify that the PML level check matches the level check on your carrier. The owner/installer is responsible for verifying the fit of the cover and fluid levels.

Optional Machining for Temperature Sending Unit And Alternate Fill Hole

There are two unmachined bosses on the right side of the cover at about 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock. For an additional $45 machining fee, PML can machined these bosses.

• The smaller boss at 4 o'clock can be used for a temperature sending unit when drilled and tapped with a 1/8 NPT hole.
• The large boss at 3 o'clock can be machined for a second fill hole or for other uses.

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When PML machines a hole, a plug is included.

The temperature sending unit would be for an aftermarket temperature gauge and sending unit to monitor the differential fluid temperatures.

Inside of Cover

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Revisions

This part was updated March 2017 and now has an additional boss for optional machining for a level check.

Originally, PML designed this rear end cover for Torsen differentials in response to requests from the Chevy SSR community. Then some Canyon/Colorado owners asked us to have a location for the level check at the level check on the carrier rusted or became unuseable. So we added the additional boss that can optionally be used as a level check.

The owner/installer is responsible for verifying the fit of the PML cover and fluid levels.

PML Differential Cover Compared to Stock

    
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These images show this PML differential cover compared to the stock cover.

This cover can replace two different stock covers. The stock covers have different depths but the same bolt hole pattern.

Installations

Our thanks to those who have emailed us pictures of their installations.

• 2009 Trailblazer
• 2007 Colorado
• 2006 Canyon 3.5L
• 2006 Colorado
• 2006 SSR
• 2005 Envoy 4.2
• 2005 SSR

2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Thanks to Jim at Champion Transmissions in Thousand Oaks (805-495-9312) for installing this differential cover on a 2009 Trailblazer and sending us pictures.

  
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2007 Chevrolet Colorado

John installed this PML 10 bolt cover on his 2007 Chevy Colorado.

  
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2006 Canyon

An owner of a 2006 Canyon 4x4 with the 3.5L engine installed this PML differential cover. The PML cover provides the Canyon with easier maintenance, increased cooling and strength. The cover is not visible unless you look under the truck so the natural cast finish was perfect for this application.

He wanted to replace the level check/fill hole on the carrier with holes on the PML cover. So the boss on the left (3 o'clock position) was machined as a level check hole although it is about 1" higher than the factory. The owner reported that it is still easy to check with a finger. (If you use this method, be careful not to overfill.) In March 2017, PML added a boss that can be machined at the same location as the stock level check location.

The customer also reported that the brake lines did not need to be moved but there was a small issue with the brake line mounting brackets as they have pressed in bolts which have to be cut off in order to use the new bolts provided by PML. The original stock bolts are too short to reuse. Also the brake line mounting brackets square ends needed to be rounded with a grinder so that they would fit flush to the cover. Neither of these were issues and the swap was quite quick and painless.

     
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2006 Chevrolet Colorado

Erik purchased this PML rear differential cover for his 2006 Colorado. He emailed us with these pictures and said:

My truck runs much, much smoother with the added gear oil capacity. I purchased an "as cast" finish but being a metal fabricator I grained the fins and the side of the mounting flange, masked them off and painted the cover with BBQ black hi temp. Came out beautifully.

  
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SSR 2006

Dirk at S-Tec in Kiel, Germany installed this PML differential cover on a 2006 6.0 SSR. This cover has the polish finish.

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2005 GMC Envoy 4.2 Straight 6

This video shows the installation of a PML 4L60E transmission pan and this differential cover on a 2005 GMC Envoy. There is not much clearance between the pan hard rod and the PML cover but the is no movement of the rod in that direction so there is no problem.

 
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SSR 2005

Mike purchased a PML Torsen differential cover and personalized it with black paint on the ribs and bolts. Mike reported that the PML cover "is a very nice piece. It installed easily with no modifications." And Mike has been told that "the cover makes the SSR look great going down the road." Our thanks to Mike for taking the time to email us his comments and pictures.

For a larger picture, please click one of the above images. A separate window will open showing a bigger picture. (The larger pictures take a minute to display.)

PML Differential Cover Features:

• Increased oil capacity for cooler temperatures
• Sand-cast aluminum with raised fins
• 3/16-inch thick wall construction to add strength to differential housing
• 3/8-inch thick gasket flange will not bend when bolts are tightened
• Machined gasket surface for a secure seal using RTV or factory reusable gasket
• Oil changes without removing the cover
• All hardware provided, including magnetic drain plug

Learn more about finishes and construction of PML parts.