[DickWallace]

There's some surface rust all over the housing of my NEW tlok from American Muscle. Is this bad? I can't tell if there's rust in the gears but there's certainly oil in them. AM said it's no big deal, just take some paint thinner and a scotch pad and rub it off. Then use brake cleaner to spray the gears to make sure no buts of oil get in them. I'm a bit skeptical about this, spraying all the oil off the gears with brake cleaner? I know more gear oil will be added. I kind of want to tell them to just send me a new one. Thoughts?

[AMChrisYoung]

Originally Posted by DickWallace There's some surface rust all over the housing of my NEW tlok from American Muscle. Is this bad? I can't tell if there's rust in the gears but there's certainly oil in them. AM said it's no big deal, just take some paint thinner and a scotch pad and rub it off. Then use brake cleaner to spray the gears to make sure no buts of oil get in them. I'm a bit skeptical about this, spraying all the oil off the gears with brake cleaner? I know more gear oil will be added. I kind of want to tell them to just send me a new one. Thoughts?

Hey, DWallace!

Thanks for the inquiry.

I'm sorry to hear you are having trouble with your T-Lok kit.

Do you have a digital camera?

Can you take some pictures of it and email them to me?
It's likely just some surface rust, but I'd like to look into it for you.

Please snap some pics of it and email them one at a time to me(our server only accepts certain file sizes) at chris(dot)young(at)americanmuscle(dot)com.
Also, if you could please include your order number, so that I know who I'm talking to.


I apologize for any inconvenience and I hope this helps!


Have a great weekend!

[AMChrisYoung]

any updates, OP?

[DickWallace]

Ok, I sent you an email with some pics. Thanks.

[DickWallace]

Please respond Chris, I need you! Here's some pics of my rusted tlok in case you didn't get email for some reason. Order#1324628

ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

[iPAPKE]

Not a mechanic, but it looks fine

[DickWallace]

So you think it's fine as is? To just install it without worrying about getting that rust off? Dang, because the shop said the rust needs to come off, especially if it gets in the gears. I hope you're right though man, cleaning rust off something like that would be so tedious. Thanks for the feedback iPAPKE. Now I wish CHRIS would send me some feedback!!!!

[B's04gt]

Just take a wool wheel and buff it off..

[AMChrisYoung]

Originally Posted by DickWallace So you think it's fine as is? To just install it without worrying about getting that rust off? Dang, because the shop said the rust needs to come off, especially if it gets in the gears. I hope you're right though man, cleaning rust off something like that would be so tedious. Thanks for the feedback iPAPKE. Now I wish CHRIS would send me some feedback!!!!

Derek,

That is normal surface oxidation that all unfinished-machined parts get when exposed to air/water molecules in the air. It is not rust, as in it's not corrosion, just simply metal reacting with oxygen and it is a natural/common occurence. It is similar to the same "rust" you see on brake rotors after driving in the rain and letting the car sit for a little while.

That will all burn-off when the differential fluid gets hot and hits it. You will not have any problems and it's nothing to worry about.

The only areas you need to clean will be the flat surface where the ring-gear mounts to and that's about it. The rest will cleaned with the differential fluid when it gets to temperature.


I hope this helps!

Good luck, fella!

Let me know if you have any questions in the future!

[DickWallace]

Oh man thanks... but I'm a little new. I'm not sure what you you mean about the "area where the ring-gear mounts"
Here's a pic of the area I'm guessing you're talking about. How do you recommend I clean it off, just steel wool. I have some rust remover, would that be ok? Thanks, you've been a big help.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...sc00880mx.jpg/

[AMChrisYoung]

Originally Posted by DickWallace Oh man thanks... but I'm a little new. I'm not sure what you you mean about the "area where the ring-gear mounts" Here's a pic of the area I'm guessing you're talking about. How do you recommend I clean it off, just steel wool. I have some rust remover, would that be ok? Thanks, you've been a big help. ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

You got it, bud! That is exactly correct!

For a noob, you certainly aren't a boob!


Steel-wool will be fine, I would recommend using one attached to a Dremel, so you don't have to do it manually. You don't have to "break into" or "scratch into" the surface of the material, just use enough pressure to remove the oxidation. It should just come right off.


Good luck, fella!

Have a great weekend!

Let me know if you have any questions in the future!