Magnet in differential cover

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:19 pm

We all know the value in keeping our gear oil clean. I purchased this magnet to place in my rear diff cover. I’m not sure if this is the exact location in which I will place the magnet. After testing this magnat, I have concluded that there is no need for epoxy, it takes some serious effort to remove this magnet. This is one of the strongest magnets in the world. I highly recommend buying one, they are cheap and will save your gears and gear oil, especially if you have an automatic locker.

"The FilterMAG™ Differential Magnet (DM101) is designed to magnetically attract and hold the millions of steel particles generated by the gears in the differential. Place the DM101 inside your steel differential housing away from any moving parts. Works great on the inside of Harley primary chain inspection covers too!"

Filter size range: 2.0” x 1.25”
Only $17.82

http://www.innate.com/Supplies/filtermag/filtermag.htm

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:40 pm

Whats wrong with the magnet in the bottom of the diff?? I know that one is stronger but good gosh, if something did happen and it got knocked into the gears that day is over. :shock:

trailman · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:19 pm

Nice cover.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:05 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Whats wrong with the magnet in the bottom of the diff?? I know that one is stronger but good gosh, if something did happen and it got knocked into the gears that day is over. :shock:

A powerful magnet will not get knocked off very easily. Take the magnet out of an old hard drive and you will see they can actually be dangerous because of the force generated. The only thing that will demagnetize a magnet is if it is subject to higher operating temperatures than what it is capable of withstanding or it is introduced to a stronger magnetic field.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:24 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Whats wrong with the magnet in the bottom of the diff?? I know that one is stronger but good gosh, if something did happen and it got knocked into the gears that day is over. :shock:

The picture in the photo was just for testing. After the photo was taken, I moved the magnet to the flat spot a little lower on the cover. Let me assure you, I can NOT remove the magnet with my bare hands. :shock:

With enough force, I can barely slide the magnet, but that's it. :shock:

I would need a tool to remove this magnet, it WILL NOT become dislodged.

As a matter of fact, they are designed to be placed on the cover without epoxy. Thousands are being used in diff covers.

Christopher · **Posted:** Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:30 pm

you dont think the factory magnet is enough?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:23 am

Christopher wrote:

you dont think the factory magnet is enough?

I hope you are joking, right?

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:39 am

Christopher wrote:

you dont think the factory magnet is enough?

The factory magnet is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IIRC it's in the FACTORY DIFF COVER though;)

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:25 am

Its a good idea. The Dana30 axle that was used in other Jeeps has a magnetic drain plug but for some reason I haven't seen the idea used in other Jeep axles.

Sometimes you'll find them in transmission & oil pans too.

And yes, I like that diff cover too. Where can I get one

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:08 pm

LibertyFever wrote:

Its a good idea. The Dana30 axle that was used in other Jeeps has a magnetic drain plug but for some reason I haven't seen the idea used in other Jeep axles.

Sometimes you'll find them in transmission & oil pans too.

And yes, I like that diff cover too. Where can I get one

Yes, I’ve read that lockers, especially automatic lockers tend to shed small metal shavings, hence the need for a larger magnet
Here is the website for the Crane Diff covers, Josh will also be installing my lockers and gears.
http://www.cranehiclearance.com/

Christopher · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:24 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Christopher wrote:

you dont think the factory magnet is enough?

The factory magnet is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IIRC it's in the FACTORY DIFF COVER though;)

THe factory magnet is on the bottom of the differential housing which I would think is the best place for it and no I wasnt joking.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:41 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Christopher wrote:

you dont think the factory magnet is enough?

The factory magnet is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IIRC it's in the FACTORY DIFF COVER though;)

You didnt remember correctly, try again.

And Im also curious how the stock magnet isnt enough.

Be careful with that strong magnet! You may be picking stuff up off the road! :lol:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:58 pm

Christopher wrote:

THe factory magnet is on the bottom of the differential housing which I would think is the best place for it and no I wasnt joking.

That's interesting, because I was told that we didn't have a magnet in the rear differential.

Well, I guess I have two magnets now. :shock:

I wonder if the front diff has one also? :?:

Christopher · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:19 pm

I have no idea about the front but I cleaned the magnet in the back when i put my locker in. Its kind of recessed into the casting on the bottom. 2 def wont hurt though.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:26 pm

Christopher wrote:

I have no idea about the front but I cleaned the magnet in the back when i put my locker in. Its kind of recessed into the casting on the bottom. 2 def wont hurt though.

Well, thanks for the info................ :wink:

Maybe someone will chime in and let us know if the front has one.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:46 pm

I thought I saw one in the front when I was having the DTT installed, but Im not positive.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:46 pm

Ive always wondered if the front has one to. Would be nice if we could clean it but o-well.

Rear diff magnet, you can see it sitting in the bottom. Its nothing like the magnet you have now but it usually has some fine stuff on it.

Oddly enough, when I changed out the oil in my bros 8.25 in his xj last time it didnt have a magnet. Could of sworn it did the first time I changed the oil. :shock:

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:56 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

Christopher wrote:

you dont think the factory magnet is enough?

The factory magnet is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IIRC it's in the FACTORY DIFF COVER though;)

You didnt remember correctly, try again.

I know! It's attached to the ring gear!! :lol:

HoppedUpOnGoofballs · **Joined:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:36 pm **Posts:** 203

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Yes, I’ve read that lockers, especially automatic lockers tend to shed small metal shavings, hence the need for a larger magnet

Hmm.. Have never heard or noticed that (not saying you are wrong). I have a magnetic drain plug in my Ranger, which has been running a Lock-Right since 01, and have never noticed an unusually high amount of shavings/particles (more than with open diff). Have not pulled the cover off my Liberty to check the Aussie yet, though.

I know mechanical parts tend to wear (and thus produce particles).. I forgot where I was going with that..........

Anyways, the additional magnet really couldnt hurt.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:25 pm

HoppedUpOnGoofballs wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Yes, I’ve read that lockers, especially automatic lockers tend to shed small metal shavings, hence the need for a larger magnet

Hmm.. Have never heard or noticed that (not saying you are wrong).

When I first started to look into lockers back in 2003, I started reading more about differentials and the proper maintenance in prolonging the life of gears. I’m a maintenance freak, so I tend to pay close attention to the specifics. Anyway, I did a quick Google search and immediately turned up this thread:

“Now that you are ready to finally put the diff cover back on there is one thing you need to do. Detroit lockers tend to deposit small metal shavings in your gear oil, which is not the best mixture. To keep the metal shavings under control it is recommended that you glue a little magnet to the inside of the diff cover. This way all the free shavings will eventually get stuck to the magnet, which will keep you oil brownish, not silver in colour. With the magnet glued in with some RTV, put a bead around the diff cover going both on the inside and outside of the bolt holes. After this all that needs to be done is bolt on the cover, torque down the bolts and fill it with oil.” http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2002/lockerinstall/

Typically, your high quality aftermarket differential and transmission covers/pans come with a magnetic drain plug and dip stick. My Dodge MAG-HYTEC http://www.mag-hytec.com/ differential covers and transmission pan came with the magnetic dip stick and drain plug. ARB diff covers also have the drain plug and dip stick. http://www.arbusa.com/Products/Differen ... er/66.aspx In the scheme of things, my magnetic maintenance intervention is most likely going to yield minimal results. But………I feel better going down the road driving my Dodge Cummins and pulling 15,000 lbs. Or, when I’m in the mountains and running those gears hard in 4wheel drive.

Magnet in differential cover

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