I've managed to pick up an English diff, and want to give it a good clean and coat of paint (on the outside).

What's the best way to clean the inside (if at all) as it's been in storage and I want to make sure there's no dirt kicking about? I'm guessing electrolysis isn't the best way to refurb it due to all the bearings which I don't want to change.

I'll then give it a rub down on the housing and a lick of paint.


Similarly, how have people cleaned the inside of an axle housing before reassembly (again, dusty etc. due to storage)

Cheers
Pavel

I did my spare one a few years ago as mine had been stood open in a garage for years, as I already had some parrafin I used that to clean out the crud, but I guess any decent engine degreaser would do just as well. Having said that I did need to fit new bearings anyway, as they were goosed so either remove these before you clean it out or you do stand a chance of getting any possible metal / grit into the races if its as dirty as you say it is. Treat the outside just as you would an engine block, degreased, rubbed down and finished with your chosen paint. Goes without saying always fit a new gasket, the whole reason mine came off in the first place was because the last owner did not and it leaked everywhere.

Rich

[Edited on 20/5/12 by Westy1994]