Volume: 0.5 qt. over stock
This PML differential cover fits the rear end differential on many GM, GMC, and Chevrolet vehicles. Be aware that for each model and year there may be more than one rear axle possible. See also GM 10 bolt 7.5, GM 14 bolt 9.5, and GM 12 bolt 9.5.
Typical applications for this differential include the following:
- ½ Ton Trucks, ½Vans and ¾ Vans, 1979 to Current:
- C10 & K10
- C1500 & K1500
- Silverado 1500
- Sierra 1500
- Vandura
- Express & Savana
- G1500 & G2500
- ¾ Ton Trucks and Vans, 1979 to 1998
- Chevy and GM SUVs
- 1977 to 1994 Full Size Blazer
- 1977 to 1991 Jimmy
- 1982 to Current Suburban 1500
- 1992 to Current Avalanche 1500, Escalade, Tahoe, Yukon (check panhard bar clearance)
- Hummer H3
- 2002 to 2012 Colorado (some, with 5.3L), see also Torsen 10 Bolt Cover
- 1970s Cars such as Chevelle, GTO, Impala, Monte Carlo, Nova
Configurations vary. Always check your vehicle to verify differential and clearance. Police vehicles generally have less clearance.
GM 8.2 10 Bolt: These rear end covers can also fit on older vehicles with the GM 8.2 differential. For example:
- 1966 Impala
- 1960s Chevelle
- 1966 Pontiac GTO
See our GM 8.2 web page for more information.
PML GM 8.5 cover with horizontal fins and stock GM 8.2 cover show together. Bolts hole locations at 6 and 12 o'clock are slightly different.
4WD Front Applications: See PML Part Number 6077 for GM Front 10 bolt 8 1/2" ring gear differential found on some 4WD Chevy and GMC SUVs and trucks. PML part number 10815 and 6082 are for the rear differentials.
Temperature Sensor Port Option
The boss on the side can optionally be machined for temperature sensor for $45 additional (call to order machining and let us know your sensor thread size).
Bolt Information
PML includes mounting bolts with all differential covers. PML provides bolts that are longer than the stock bolts since the flange on PML's cover is much thicker than stock. The bolts with the stock cover will not work.
GM has used four different bolts on these differentials so to complete your order, we need to know which bolts you have. These differentials have used both metric and standard cover bolts. The bolt length has not been consistent either. When ordering one of these covers, you will need to pull one of your stock bolts out (a top bolt is best) and measure the length and determine whether it is metric or standard.
- Bolt length is measured from the underside of the head (where a washer would sit) to the tip. If the bolts are metric, the length will be 21mm or 16mm. If the bolt is standard, the length will be 5/8 inch or 7/8 inch.
These images show how to measure the bolt length. Click on small image to view larger in a new tab or window.
- A bolt head with lines or letters on it is typically standard. A bolt with numbers such as 5.8, 9.8, 10.9, or 12.9 is likely to be metric.
- Metric bolts will have 20 threads per inch. Standard ones will have 18 threads per inch. Since the bolts do not have a full inch of threads, try counting the number in a half an inch and multiply by two.
We know this is a hassle, but we do not want to send the wrong bolts or charge everyone a lot of extra money to cover sending all possible bolts with each cover. Watch the video for more informations on checking your bolts.
Gasket Information for a PML GM 10 Bolt Differential Cover
PML machines the gasket surface of our differential covers completely flat. The flange surface of the differential housing is also machined flat. A thin bead of RTV silicon sealant makes an excellent seal between two machined surfaces. If you prefer to use a gasket, we have had customers recommend the Fel-Pro RDS 55028-1 gasket.
PML Differential Cover Compared to Stock
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These images show this PML differential cover compared to the stock cover.
This image compares the depth of both PML GM 10 bolt differential covers and the stock cover. Click on image to view larger in a new tab or window.
Installations
Our thanks to everyone who choose this PML rear axle cover for their truck or SUV and emailed us pictures.
2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Michael installed a polish finish PML differential cover on his Escalade. He put 3 coats of clear coat on it and jb welded a filter magnet to the inside which has 25lbs of holding strength. (Note that we at PML do not think the magnet is needed or necessarily a good idea since a magnet attached incorrectly could cause a lot of problems.) Michael removed some fin material since he had about 1/4" clearance and wanted to be safe if the rubber bushings flexed. Our thanks to Michael for all his feedback and pictures.
2012 Chevy Avalanche 1500
David has a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 which he uses to tow a travel trailer. He had to replace the bearings in the differential so he wanted to find a better way to drain and replace the fluid to avoid having to replace the bearings again. So he purchased a cast finish PML cover and powder coated it a shiny black.
David had a thermal camera and took thermal images of the stock cover and the PML cover. He took both images after towing a trailer for about an hour on a highway followed by 15 minutes of slower, steady driving. Ambient temperatures were 80F and 70F. David emailed us saying:
"I assumed that the stock differential and axle had plenty of heat-dissipating area, since the oil can flow all the way down both axle tubes. A few square inches of aluminum fins would not add much. The thermal images revealed a different story. The stock differential temperature was mostly 170-200 degrees F while the PML differential was mostly 140-150 degrees F.
Our thanks to David for sharing his thermal images and comments with us. The images are below:
David installed the PML cover with AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W90, a paper gasket and medium loc-tite on the bolts.
Click on image to view larger.
2003 Chevy Avalanche Z71
Derek installed this PML differential cover on his 2003 Chevy Avalanche. The cover fit nicely behind the pan hard and sway bars. His Avalanche had the 8mm-1.25x21mm stock bolts.
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2003 Chevy Avalanche Z71 4WD
Alvin measured and determined this PML cover would fit with pan hard and sway bars and decided on the cast finish. He loves his new PML differential cover.
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2010 Silverado 1500
Torrance Transmissions in California at 310-378-9217 installed this PML differential cover on a 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4.
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2007 Silverado 1500
PML differential cover installed on a Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Ed selected the black powder coat finish for his differential cover. Click on image to view larger.
2010 Chevy Suburban 1500 4x4 Z71
The images below are of Mark & Tahoe's 2010 Z71 Suburban. Our thanks to them for emailing us the pictures. They also commented on the cover: "Fit perfect! Thank you very much!!!"
From left to right: 2010 Suburban, Stock Cover, PML Cover Installed
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2010 Chevy Suburban 1500
Ben installed this PML transmission pan on his Suburban. He also installed a PML transmission pan. This Suburban did not have any clearance issues because it is not a police vehicle.
For the installation, Ben removed the track bar and sway bar and modified the brake line bracket just a little, as it is retained by one of the cover bolts. (PML does not recommend this. See a qualified mechanic to ensure brake line safety.)
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2014 Chevy Tahoe 5.3L
Georgio installed this PML rear differential cover on his 2014 Tahoe and his 2010 Silverado. His stock bolts were 8mm-1.25x21mm. He also installed a deep PML 6L80 transmission pan on his Tahoe. Our thanks to Georgio for choosing PML covers and pans.
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2008 Chevy Tahoe 5.3L
Ian installed this cover on his 2008 Chevy Tahoe 5.3 Maggie TSV1900 supercharged at 12 lbs.
He also installed a PML transmission pan. See PML 4L65E deep pan for info on that pan and installation.
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Note that a 2008 Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV) did not have the same clearance. The pan hard bar on the PPV model hit the fins on the PML cover.
2005 GMC Yukon
PML differential cover installed on a 2005 GMC Yukon SLE. The finish on this differential cover is black powder coat.
Our thanks to Scott for sending us the picture. Click on image to view larger.
2006 Hummer H3
PML drilled and tapped the cover for a 1/8 NPT. The aftermarket gage and sensor installed in the cover lets this H3 owner track his fluid temperatures while on the road.
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For a larger picture, please click one of the above images. A separate window will open showing a bigger picture. (The larger pictures take a minute to display.)
PML Differential Cover Features:
- Increased oil capacity for cooler temperatures
- Sand-cast aluminum with raised fins
- 3/16-inch thick wall construction to add strength to differential housing
- 3/8-inch thick gasket flange will not bend when bolts are tightened
- Machined gasket surface for a secure seal using RTV or factory reusable gasket
- Oil changes without removing the cover
- All hardware provided, including magnetic drain plug
