2017 Tahoe Rear Differential Cover, Mag Hytec, hits rear crossmember

[jj88]

Hello all

2017 Tahoe Premier 4x4, replacing the rear differential cover with a solid aluminum Mag Hytec 12-9.5.

However, it hits this crossmember, circled in the picture attached. What is the name of this crossmember, and do they make aftermarket replacements that go around thicker rear diff covers? Thanks

 

[Doubeleive]

Hello all

2017 Tahoe Premier 4x4, replacing the rear differential cover with a solid aluminum Mag Hytec 12-9.5.

However, it hits this crossmember, circled in the picture attached. What is the name of this crossmember, and do they make aftermarket replacements that go around thicker rear diff covers? Thanks

View attachment 271348

It is called a track bar or panhard bar
there are some aftermarket ones out there such a QA1 which has a little curve to it but no telling off hand if it will allow enough room to not hit a mag hytec, the mag's are pretty thick you may have put on the one for a pickup which will fit the suv but is the wrong one, or may take modification.

 

[STORMIN08]

hopefully you have done your research on this style of pan...it only adds fluid, but in return causes more harm than good.

most OE went to a finned aluminum pan several years ago on HD trucks, BUT they still retain the barreled shape.

the flat back creates to much turbulence and aeration of the fluid.

 

[jj88]

No I have not done my research on this. Here is the inside of the Mag Hytec GM 12-9.5", and you are right it has a flat back, compared with stock. I remember reading something somewhere about extending a vent tube up higher to prevent spill out or something? is that the same thing going on? I forget exactly what they were talking about, but it seemed strange. So what's going to happen with excessive aeration? thanks

 

[jj88]

Once were done dealing with the trackbar, and shave of some aluminum fin for better sway bar clearance, we are done with this diff cover install. I'm wondering about aeration now with the 5 quarts of fluid.

 

[Doubeleive]

hopefully you have done your research on this style of pan...it only adds fluid, but in return causes more harm than good.

most OE went to a finned aluminum pan several years ago on HD trucks, BUT they still retain the barreled shape.

the flat back creates to much turbulence and aeration of the fluid.

I had one on my 03 silverado for over 10 years never had a problem, it's still on there my sister has it now and when she took it had 240k on it

 

[jj88]

well its on, but i had to jerry rig the trackbar. sigh. had to grind off a side fin as well, for sway bar clearance. kinda disappointed with mag-hytec.

 

[Rocket Man]

well its on, but i had to jerry rig the trackbar. sigh. had to grind off a side fin as well, for sway bar clearance. kinda disappointed with mag-hytec.

I looked and can’t find the QA1 panhard bar for a 2017. Too bad, I’m pretty sure it will fit, I used one on my 02 in order to put a girdle on my diff which is about as thick as that cover. How did you make yours work?

 

[STORMIN08]

most have never reported an issue, as they do not use the vehicle as they thought. the stock pan is probably the best version possible, hence the reason why they all look the same.

the flat back does not allow proper direction of fluid Up and Over the ring gear to the pinion bearing, it also creates a shear effect of the fluid as it get pounded straight into the cover, the aeration can lead to less lubrication as it allows excess air into the fluid

i would post a link to a series of videos, but most will take it as a sales gimmick... but if you just watch what goes on...it explains it for it self. Most just go with the marketing ploy sold to you buy the company selling the product.

like mentioned earlier, Ford and Ram both made a switch to aluminum pans around 2010, but retained the curved shape. the axle manufactures probably know what is best from there testing

 

[Jason in DLH]

most have never reported an issue, as they do not use the vehicle as they thought. the stock pan is probably the best version possible, hence the reason why they all look the same.

the flat back does not allow proper direction of fluid Up and Over the ring gear to the pinion bearing, it also creates a shear effect of the fluid as it get pounded straight into the cover, the aeration can lead to less lubrication as it allows excess air into the fluid

i would post a link to a series of videos, but most will take it as a sales gimmick... but if you just watch what goes on...it explains it for it self. Most just go with the marketing ploy sold to you buy the company selling the product.

like mentioned earlier, Ford and Ram both made a switch to aluminum pans around 2010, but retained the curved shape. the axle manufactures probably know what is best from there testing

Interesting video. I just learned a lot about the diff and the covers. Thanks for posting!

 

[STORMIN08]

that post and vid isnt to sell any product, just an fyi.

but the info available is eye opening, most think aftermarket is better ( marketing scheme 101)

as in the terms f air filtration...there are filter makers who claim more power...but at what cost to filtration ???? more flow= More power doesnt always mean better for the engine internals.

 

[Rocket Man]

most have never reported an issue, as they do not use the vehicle as they thought. the stock pan is probably the best version possible, hence the reason why they all look the same.

the flat back does not allow proper direction of fluid Up and Over the ring gear to the pinion bearing, it also creates a shear effect of the fluid as it get pounded straight into the cover, the aeration can lead to less lubrication as it allows excess air into the fluid

i would post a link to a series of videos, but most will take it as a sales gimmick... but if you just watch what goes on...it explains it for it self. Most just go with the marketing ploy sold to you buy the company selling the product.

like mentioned earlier, Ford and Ram both made a switch to aluminum pans around 2010, but retained the curved shape. the axle manufactures probably know what is best from there testing

I get the part about the flow of the fluid but when he starts making claims about how much more in fuel you’ll spend for a flat back cover where they tested vs the Banks cover and he states what sounds like an incredible amount of $447 over 100,000 miles at $3.50 per gallon of diesel... that works out to .0012 mpg. I say that could be a testing data error amount it’s so small. No guy running a diesel , or anybody else for that matter, is going to care about .0012 mpg even if that’s real.

 

[STORMIN08]

personally, i would never consider the fuel side, but if the evidence does indeed lead to bearing failure and down time if the truck was needed daily ( for some it is ), then i can see where this data would convince me.

like i stated, just throwing some info out that gets people thinking. the clear cover visualizes the claim. Just makes one think as to why the axle makers still use a rounded cover, and a specific fluid level.

 

[Fifty]

Oh God. The banks vids have so many falsehoods in it. The oems do make flat faced finned covers.

the ring gear not only moves enough oil to lube the pinion, they are not designed to fling, just carry like a paddle.
Heck, F1 and other mid engine race trans use the ring gear to pump oil back into the reservoir. And those cases clearly don’t have round shapes.
This had been tested about 20 years ago the last time a company wondered and published. Their findings were completely opposite.

many one can go search sae papers on the topic too.

its 100% a “hey we are introducing a product” ad.

One last thing. When it comes to covers, oems will produce a QRP which is a request for a product and the folks like Dana and sterling know that cost and quick ability to provide a supply (initial and repair) are as important of not more important than quality. Hence most cars built to only last 36k.
Stamped round face covers are cheap and quick to make and ship and store.
Cast/billet/forged aluminum is expensive to make ship and store.

Last, and this does come into account during decision “what happens when mr owner reversed and hits a curb or runs up a pole? Steel cover vs aluminum...

 

[jj88]

I am ashamed.. but I bolted the track bar to the outside of the axle slot with a longer 1/2" 6" grade 8 bolt and nut. (also 1/2" washers inside the bracket for support)

also, it was taken on a long trip recently and got 21 mpg, mostly highway not much traffic. MPG seems OK, no?

Also a Mishimoto trans cooler was put on, and during the long haul uphill at 77 mph trans fluid hit 198 deg F. Is that normal with an additional trans cooler (no bypass delete, so thermostat turns on at about 190 F I believe). If it hits 198 on a 70 deg day with no towing, what will towing uphill on a 105 deg day be (at about 55-65 mph)?

 

[jj88]

So a company Spohn https://www.spohn.net/ has a trackbar/panhard-bar that fits the 2017 Tahoe Premier 4x4 with Mag-Hytec 12 bolt 9.5-9.75" diff cover. It has a bend in it that goes around the larger diff cover, and also is clear of the sway bar.

In case anyone needs one of these, even though they are not listed on their website yet (they said they needed to update their website), you call them and order one from them on the phone. This particular one was $211 I believe. see picture. thanks all

 

[jj88]

some more pics for anyone's future reference on the topic:

Picture of old panhard bar/trackbar bolted to the outside of bracket, in order to fit around large AM rear diff cover.

Picture of old panhard bar/trackbar on old OEM diff cover.