B&M Cast Aluminum Rear End Cover for GM 10.5 14 Bolt User Manual

Figure 1

Axle housing
fill plug

Front of vehicle

Instructions

Cast Aluminum Rear End Cover for

GM 10.5” 14 Bolt

(see www.bmracing.com for the latest vehicle fitment applications and model years)

Part Number 70501

© 2014 by B&M Racing and Performance Products

This B&M Cast Aluminum Rear
End Cover has been designed to
work on most GM vehicles equipped
with a GM 10.5” 14 bolt style axle.
The B&M Cast Aluminum Rear
End Cover provides several
advantages over stock factory
covers. The extra capacity provides
increased oil volume and added
cooling, while the thick aluminum
construction increases case rigidity.
The reinforced center bar, along with
the load bolts, prevents bearing cap
deflection under severe loads. The
magnetic drain plug feature allows
regular gear oil changes without the
usual mess, and limits ferrous debris
from circulating in the axle.

INTRODUCTION

This rear end cover can be installed
in about an hour by carefully
following the instructions. It is
suggested that the vehicle be
allowed to cool off for a few hours to
avoid burns from hot oil and parts.
The vehicle should be off the ground
for ease of installation - jack stands,
wheel ramps or a hoist will work
fine. MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS
FIRMLY SUPPORTED - DO NOT
WORK UNDER A VEHICLE IF IT IS
SUPPORTED BY ONLY A JACK!
Try to raise the vehicle 1-2 feet so

you will have plenty of room to
work. Also, have a small box to put
bolts in and a drain pan to catch
oil.

INSTALLATION

STEP 1. Clean axle housing cover

area from dirt and other debris.

NOTE: On some vehicles it
might be necessary to remove

some parts (e.g. sway bar,
panhard rod) to make the
installation of the cover easier.
STEP 2. Place a drain pan

underneath the axle housing.
Remove the axle housing drain plug

(if equipped) with a 3/8” square

ratchet and allow the oil to drain.
STEP 3. Remove the axle housing

fill plug with a 3/8” square ratchet
and extension (See Figure 1).

Printed in the USA 9500874-00

STEP 4. Remove all the bolts

Figure 2

Axle housing surface

Figure 3

Load bolt

except one at the top. Loosen the
remaining bolt but do not remove.
STEP 5. Carefully pry the cover
loose with a flat head screw driver,
being careful not to damage the
surface, and allow the oil to drain.
STEP 6. Remove the last bolt and
the cover once completely drained.
STEP 7. Using a dry lint free rag,
clean the accessible areas of the
axle housing and check internal
components for visible excessive
wear or other problems.
STEP 8. Clean all gasket material
from the axle housing surface (See

Figure 2).
STEP 9. Verify what size cover

bolts are used on your axle housing.
These axle housings came with
3/8”-16 bolts or M8x1.25 bolts. Both
size bolts are included in this kit.
STEP 10. We recommend running
a tap of the correct size (3/8”-16 or
M8x1.25) through each threaded
cover hole on the axle housing to
ensure an accurate torque on all
bolts.
STEP 11. Install the supplied load
bolts in each boss from the inside of
the B&M Cast Aluminum Rear End

Cover until they bottom out (See
Figure 3 & 4).
STEP 12. Apply a bead of RTV
silicone gasket maker to the B&M
Cast Aluminum Rear End Cover.

Run the bead inside the bolt holes

(See Figure 4).
STEP 13. Install the B&M Cast
Aluminum Rear End Cover on the

axle housing using a supplied bolt
and washer at a bottom hole on the
cover so it can be used as a guide.
STEP 14. Install the rest of the
supplied bolts and washers and
torque to 25 ft/lb for 3/8”-16 bolts or
15 ft/lb for M8x1.25 bolts in a
crisscross pattern.
STEP 15. Screw in the two load
bolts by hand until they touch the
bearing caps. Torque the load bolts
to 5 ft/lb max.

NOTE: Do not over torque the
load bolts as you run the risk of
distorting the bearing caps,
creating abnormal wear and
premature failure.
STEP 16. Apply a very small amount

of RTV on the threads of the load

bolts and install the two supplied
jam nuts on the load bolts. Torque
the jam nuts to 5 ft/lb.
STEP 17. Install the axle housing
drain plug (if equipped) and torque
to 20 ft/lb.
STEP 18. Install the supplied
magnetic 1/4” NPTF drain plug on
the B&M Cast Aluminum Rear

End Cover and tighten (See

Figure 5).
STEP 19. Fill with factory

recommended gear oil using the

B&M Cast Aluminum Rear End
Cover fill plug hole (See Figure 5).

Add gear oil until oil runs out of the
axle housing fill hole.
STEP 20. Install the axle housing fill
plug and torque to 20 ft/lb.
STEP 21. Install the supplied 1/2”