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Volume: 0.5 quarts over stock
Dimensions:
Click here for dimensions.
Number of Bolts: 10 bolts
PML designed and developed this differential cover for the GM 8.0 inch ring gear to add function and good looks. Sand cast aluminum construction and extra capacity aid with heat dissipation on GMC and Chevy trucks and SUVs and the classic straight fins dress up retro Chevrolet SSR roadsters.
Benefits:
- Extra capacity
- Fins for heat dissipation and style
- Heavy duty sand cast aluminum construction
- Drain hole and magnetic drain plug for easier servicing without removing cover
- Thick gasket surface for a secure seal
- Optional machining for a level check hole on face of cover if stock plug is unusable
Bracket On Stock Cover: Some vehicles have a bracket attached to the stock cover for the brake line. This bracket might need bending or grinding to clear the larger PML cover and the PML bolt may not be long enough. See INSTALLATIONS tab for examples on Colorado trucks.
These vehicles usually have the GM 8 inch ring gear rear differential and may be able to use this PML cover:
- 2002 to 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2003 to 2006 Chevrolet SSR with automatic transmission
- 2002 to 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, except SS
- 2006 to 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, except SS
- 2002 to 2012 GMC Canyon
- 2002 to 2005 GMC Envoy, except SS
- 2006 to 2007 GMC Envoy XUV, except SS
- 2003 to 2007 Isuzu Ascender (some models)
- 2005 to 2009 Saab 9-7X 4.2L (some models)
Always check your vehicle to verify your differential and clearance before ordering. Configurations vary. Some Colorado/Canyon trucks, especially those with the 5.3L engine, have a similar differential but with a larger ring gear.
Bracket On Stock Cover: Some vehicles have brackets that attached to the stock cover. This bracket might need bending or grinding to work with the larger PML cover and the PML bolt may not be long enough. See INSTALLATIONS tab for examples on Colorado trucks.
GM gasket part number: Customers with GM vehicles that have this differential have reported the Genuine GM part number for the rear differential cover gasket is 12479020.
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
On some vehicles, the housing may be stamped "AAM" for American Axle Manufacturing.
Our thanks to those who have emailed us pictures of their installations.
- 2009 Trailblazer
- 2003 Trailblazer
- 2009 Canyon 5 Cyl
- 2006 Canyon 3.5L
- 2007 Colorado
- 2006 Colorado ZQ8
- 2006 Colorado Bell Tech Sway Bars
- 2006 Colorado
- 2005 Colorado Z71
- 2005 Colorado
- 2004 Colorado
- 2006 SSR
- 2005 SSR
- 2005 Envoy 4.2L Straight 6
2009 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.
Click on image to view larger.
2003 Trailblazer
Tyler installed this PML differential cover on his 2003 Chevy Trailblazer 4.2. He was very happy with the PML cover.
2003 Trailblazer
PML and OEM differential covers
PML cover installed
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2009 Canyon 5 cyl
This Canyon needed PML to drill and tap the level check hole on the face of the cover. The stock level check rusted and could not be used any more.
2009 Canyon
PML cover installed
Level check hole on PML cover with plug installed
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2006 Canyon 3.5L
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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2007 Colorado
John installed this PML 10 bolt cover on his 2007 Chevy Colorado.
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2006 Colorado ZQ8
Craig installed this PML Differential Cover on his 2006 Chevy Colorado ZQ8. The cover arrived clean and ready for his G2 Purple Caliper paint. He baked the paint on, used an orbital sander to take the paint off the fins and then clear coated the cover.
The brake line bracket needed to be rounded off to clear the new cover and he used a 5mm longer bolt to hold it. "Very nice product and the contacts at PML were very courteous and knowledgeable."
2006 Colorado ZQ8
Cast Differential Cover
Purple Cover
Fins Sanded
Stock Cover
PML Cover Installed
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2006 Colorado Bell Tech Sway Bars
Wayne changed to this PML differential cover and lowered this 2006 Colorado 3.5L 5 cylinder truck 1 inch. He also added Bell Tech sway bars on both ends. He says the truck is fun to drive!
2006 Colorado
Bell Tech Sway Bars
PML differential cover installed
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2006 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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2005 Colorado Z71
Scott let us know that the installation of this PML cover on his 2005 Colorado Z71 3.5 went well.
Truck
Stock cover
PML cover installed
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2005 Colorado
Tim installed this PML cover on his 2005 Colorado 3.5 and happily reported no leaks.
Truck
Stock rear differential cover
PML cover installed
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2004 Colorado
Joe had to trim the brake line bracket slightly but said it was "no hassle at all". He painted the cast finish cover with a high gloss black and reported that it looks incredidble.
2004 Colorado truck
PML cover installed
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2006 SSR
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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 SSR
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.
2005 Envoy 4.2L 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.
Clearance to sway bar. Click on image to view larger.
Drain, Fill, Optional Alternate Fill, Optional Level Check, and Optional Temperature Sending Unit
This PML cover comes with the drain and fill hole on top machined. Optionally, more holes can be machined as needed for the application. Plugs are included. The drain hole includes a magnetic drain plug.
Click on image to view larger.
Level check and temperature sending unit holes are optional and have custom machining charges. Select before adding product to cart or call for more information. PML does not offer machining of the alternate fill hole check on the side of the cover.
Drain and Fill
This cover has a fill hole on the top and a drain hole on the bottom. New mounting bolts, a fill plug and a magnetic drain plug are included with the cover.
Optional Machining for Alternate Level Check Hole
The stock level check hole is on the passenger/right side of the differential. If that level check is not usable, this PML cover can be machined with a level check hole. This is an option and there is a machining charge.
When ordered, the circular area on the front face of the part would be machined with a 1/8 NPT. This hole can serve as an alternative level check location. 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
Click on an image to view larger.
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
The small, unmachined boss on the right side of the cover at about 4 o'clock can be drilled and tapped for an aftermarket temperature sending unit. Optionally, PML can drill and tap a 1/8 NPT hole in this boss. There is a machining charge.
When PML machines a hole, a plug is included.
The temperature sending unit hole would be for an aftermarket temperature gauge and sending unit to monitor the differential fluid temperatures.
Another Option For Custom Use
There is a large, unmachined boss on the right side of the cover at about 3 o'clock. It could be used as an another fill hole or for something else. It is above the fluid level and cannot be used as a fluid level check..
PML does not offer machining of this boss.
Inside of Cover
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Revisions
This part was updated March 2017 to make it easier to machine for a level check hole.
Originally, PML designed this rear end cover for GM 8.0 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
This cover can replace two different stock covers. The stock covers have different depths but the same bolt hole pattern.
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