Check your Truetrac for loose cover bolts

[rusty1161]

I had a rear axle cover leak from a crack, and once I removed the cover found three bolt heads broken off from one of the side covers of the Truetrac. It looks to me like one of the bolt heads cracked my aluminum diff cover. I finally got to dig in to it more today and pulled the bearing cap off for better access and found the remaining three bolts loose. I believe the loose bolts put too much pressure on the three that broke the heads off. Loose bolts have been an issue that’s not very common, but clearly it does happen. If you have a Truetrac, check your bolts. I am replacing all of mine on both covers with grade 9 , and the size looks like 1/2-20 1-1/4”.

 

[rusty1161]

Well started tearing into it today. Pulled the Truetrac and ring gear out. Mixed blessing, as it always goes, looks like I need new carrier bearings and races.

Also, there is blue thread locker on the bolts, so definitely going with red when this thing goes back together as soon as I get back from vacation.

Rusty

 

[rusty1161]

Here’s a good video that shows the Truetrac in many applications and the bolts that get loose.

 

[rusty1161]

Removed the broken bolts and replaced all 12 bolts with grade 9, 1/2”-20 1-1/4” bolts and red 272. Chased all of the bolts holes, flushed with brake cleaner, then installed the bolts. Reinstalled everything, and filled with fluid.

Trying to upload pictures.