Differential Housing Cleaning and Inspection: Housings

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Inspecting Clutch & Differential Housing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

IMPORTANT: Do not use any type of motored cleaning device, air tools or drills.

Carefully and thoroughly inspect all drive unit components before assembly. Thorough inspection of the drive components for wear and stress with subsequent replacement of worn components eliminates costly drive component repair after assembly.
Clean the housings in solvent and remove all sealant material from the sealing surfaces.
Inspect the clutch and differential housings for the following:
- Damaged sealing surfaces
- Worn or scored bearing race bores
- Damaged bolt, drain plug, or fill plug hole threads
- Porosity
- Damage to the exterior of the housings
- Damaged, restricted or missing vent tube
- Worn mounting bracket bushings

Fig 2: Cleaning Vent Passage & Oil Return Passage

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Clean and inspect the vent passage (1) and the oil return passage (2).

Fig 3: Inspecting Vent Passage

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Clean and inspect the vent passage (1) in the rear cover.

Fig 4: Cleaning Drain Plug Threads & Check Welch Plug For Leakage, Rust Holes & Looseness

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Clean and inspect the drain plug threads (1), and check the welch plug (2) for leakage, rust holes and looseness.