8LikesDiff Cleaning Solvent
05-21-2009, 01:26 PM
#1
Diff Cleaning Solvent
Other than using nitro cleaner, what solvents or cleaners are you guys using to clean out your diff's when you maintain/rebuild them? Acetone, paint thinner, Simple Green, whipped cream (j/k), oxyclean... help me out here please, it's a mucky mess in there!!
05-21-2009, 01:37 PM
#2
Naphtha. Available at Home Depot/Lowes. A quart lasts a long time!
05-21-2009, 01:45 PM
#5
Interesting...what the heck is Naptha...never heard of it?
05-21-2009, 01:59 PM
#7
Its kinda like acetone but it wont harm anything. It breaks up the oil, making it easier to get off..You still need a scrub brush a towel, and an air compressor to get em totally clean..
Take apart your diffs, and soak everything (not the diff case, or the o-rings) in the Naptha..take out the parts one piece at a time, and scrub em with the brush, or wipe them off, then blast with air, careful not to lose the little shims!..Clean out the diff case with Q-tips, and Naptha, wipe it all off, blow it out..maybe replace the bearings and the o-rings while you are at it..It's always a good idea when you clean your diffs to rebuild them also..New bearings, new O-rings..you'll have smooth diffs always, and no leaks from shot o-rings
Take apart your diffs, and soak everything (not the diff case, or the o-rings) in the Naptha..take out the parts one piece at a time, and scrub em with the brush, or wipe them off, then blast with air, careful not to lose the little shims!..Clean out the diff case with Q-tips, and Naptha, wipe it all off, blow it out..maybe replace the bearings and the o-rings while you are at it..It's always a good idea when you clean your diffs to rebuild them also..New bearings, new O-rings..you'll have smooth diffs always, and no leaks from shot o-rings
05-21-2009, 02:07 PM
#8
I am with Houston on this one. I do not use any products to clean out my diff's.
I tear them down completely and clean each piece buy hand with a rag and sometimes a toothbrush. I have had the same gears in my rc8 diffs for almost 2 years now and I race alot.
I tear them down completely and clean each piece buy hand with a rag and sometimes a toothbrush. I have had the same gears in my rc8 diffs for almost 2 years now and I race alot.
05-21-2009, 02:45 PM
#10
Tech Adept
GMK makes a Diff dunker for like $ 8.00 with a jar of naptha makes it real easy and super clean.
05-21-2009, 02:45 PM
#11
I clean mine with brake cleaner, then blow with the compressor.
05-21-2009, 02:45 PM
#12
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Naptha + Diff Dunker = 
a diff dunker is a little metal strainer type cup thingy... Look it up on Amain, or google "tea infuser"...
Put all the little parts in the diff dunker, and stick them, and the diff cup, in the naptha. let them soak for about 15-30 minutes, swishing occasionally. Blow dry the little parts in the diff dunker while the cup is still soaking. Then, blow dry the cup. Should be good.
Don't stick the o rings or gasket in the naptha and use Mobil 1 on the outdrive and back sides of the moon gears when reassembling the diffs.
Makes a messy job easy!
a diff dunker is a little metal strainer type cup thingy... Look it up on Amain, or google "tea infuser"...
Put all the little parts in the diff dunker, and stick them, and the diff cup, in the naptha. let them soak for about 15-30 minutes, swishing occasionally. Blow dry the little parts in the diff dunker while the cup is still soaking. Then, blow dry the cup. Should be good.
Don't stick the o rings or gasket in the naptha and use Mobil 1 on the outdrive and back sides of the moon gears when reassembling the diffs.
Makes a messy job easy!
05-21-2009, 02:51 PM
#13
05-21-2009, 02:56 PM
#14
05-21-2009, 04:06 PM
#15
I just use compressed air. I wrap the diff in a towel and stick the air nozzle in and blow it clean.