Bad Solid Diff. Covers for ford 8.8 axle

[88comingup]

Bad Solid Diff. Covers for ford 8.8 axle

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Buyer beware of soild covers not fitting and bad customer Service

I bought the Solid diff. cover for my 94 Ranger on 01/16/2012 and finally had time to go out and install it, but to only find out that it wouldn't clear my ring gear. Clearance was about an 1/8 from bolting down and I tried calling Solid to see what was going on but only got to leave a voice mail with my phone number and then sent a E-mail to them to only get a reply back from Matt at Solid covers asking me what did the axle come out of that was over 2 weeks ago and no replies from solid and i have sent 2 more e-mails since then. So i would not reccomend buying from Solid covers

Inclosed are copies of the e-mails to Solid

If your not going to responde to my last e-mail, Then please send me a return order number to send it back. That way i can order a cover from another company like riddler, Ruff stuff, Blue torch fabb
Thank you, Steven Reed



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From: Matt Martin <matt@solidaxle.com>
To: aahomerepair]
Sent: Mon, January 30, 2012 9:08:42 AM
Subject: RE: Website Contact Form


What is the rear axle out of?



Matt



SpynTec Industries LLC.

Phone: 234-759-3105

Fax: 234-759-3306



www.solidaxle.com

www.spyntec.com



-----Original Message-----
From: info@solidaxle.com [mailto:info@solidaxle.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 1:52 PM
To: matt@solidaxle.com
Subject: Website Contact Form



FNAME:
Steven

LNAME:
Reed

EMAIL:


PHONE:


attn:
info@solidaxle.com

countrycode:
US

COMMENTS:
I just bought a Ford 8.8 Differential Cover from your company and went out to install it this afternoon and it won't clear my ring gear. It's about at least an 1/8 inch from being able to bolt down my sales no. # is bought on 01/16/2012

image.x:
9

image.y:
12

Had to have a Moderator at the Explorer forums ask why it didn't fit and they told him that they knew it wouldn't fit early model Ranger and Crown Victoria's
and they don't have it posted in the spec's on there web site under Product Details

 

[brinker88]

When I bought mine it said it specifically fit 31 spline 8.8's ONLY

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Ford-8.8-Differential-Cover-p-2678.html

See bottom of page in RED

It's wierd tho, SolidIndustries website does NOT mention the fact it will not work w/ rangers...

 

[88comingup]

Not listed as even saying that now http://www.solidaxle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=34&idcategory=7#details

what's worst is that i didn't get a responce out of them for over 2 weeks until i posted about it on the Explorer forums and then said that they where at a race and didn't have enough people to answer the phones and e-mails and i replied to Matt's e-mail asap

Ya try to make that one fly, at a desert race for 2 weeks

 

[brinker88]

Did you see the notice in red on the link I posted? And all you have to do is grind it down a little bit on the inside. It's 3/8" thick steel, 1/16" or so off of it wont hurt anything.

 

[88comingup]

yes it could i belive. but would the Lifetime warranty still be covered and I asked still did not get an answer from them

and on another note, would you want the ring gear still chewing on the cover to final fit if you had new 4.56 gears and a lock-rite and leaving all those metal shavings in your Diff.

 

[brinker88]

Screw it. It was $65. Who cares about a lifetime warranty? lol I've had mine on 3 different vehicles and beat the living shit out of it and it still hasnt failed me.

 

[Captain Ledd]

28 spline 8.8's and 31 spline 8.8's have different cover spacings. The 31 spline 8.8's cover surface comes out farther, and has larger axle tubes.

Why they don't just make it fit the 28 spline models I don't know. It's not like the back length of the cover effects much.

 

[motorbill87]

i just ordered one yesterday and just now came across this post. i'm planning on installing it into an explorer disk 31 spline 8.8. i'll post again when i recieve it and if it fits or not

 

[brinker88]

I can vouch that it fits the explorer axle.

 

[Fordrangerman04]

I had a local shop put one on my 94' ranger 28 spline and have beat it up for 5 years on the rocks with no problem and also had new 4.56 yukons installed so they are definately a good quality cover

 

[Destroyer000]

same here.. my buddy bought it for his ranger axle wouldnt clear ring gear... company wouldnt take it back or do anything for him.. i ended up with it and for crap an grins i tried it on my explorer axle and it fit like a dream..

 

[Toofarnorth]

Having read this beforehand I did go and buy one for my 98 ranger and sure enough it wouldn't clear my ring gear. I put it on loosely and checked. It was rubbing just enough to mark the inside of the cover. I pulled it off and grabbed my 4" grinder. I couple of minutes later I tried it again. Works great. Filled it up and then installed the cover with sealant. All good so far. Putting the axle back under the truck tomorrow.

 

[AgPete139]

OK, so another old thread, but I'm adding my $0.02 anyways.

I just bought my 2nd Solid differential cover from Spyntec.

AXLE: Explorer 8.8", 31 spline

PROS: Fit perfectly, holds additional gear oil due to a higher fill plug, and bolted up as expected. It's a tough cover. It scratches over rocks, but doesn't give in. Very thick, and durable.

CONS: Very bad finish. I've been told that Solid has recently switched powdercoaters, so the material is different. My finish came off with simple brake cleaner, and it was this wierd tacky finish that stuck itself to the paper towel it was resting on. The paper towel/coating finally came off after enough scratches. I tried to take the rest of it off, but, i couldn't. The rest of the powdercoating is still good after 2 years, except that one bad spot.



AXLE: 1979 Bronco, HP Dana 44

PROS: Same as above.

CONS: The cover seems a little too big for my tie-rod steering setup. It interferes just barely. I'll take the additional oil capacity over other brands. I haven't tested it on rocks yet. I'm sure it's just as durable though. I've been keeping brake cleaner away from the finish, just in case. I'm trying different steering configurations for my SAS at the moment.

 

[brinker88]

^ It will fit 31 spline 8.8s perfectly. It just won't fit 28 spline 8.8s without grinding the inside of the cover. And that sucks about the powdercoating. My cover still looks new.