I sat for hours yesterday trying to clean the diff with 19 years of grease on it.. had all the cleaners under the sun and some parts cleaned up nice but all the nuts and crannys are difficult to get into,

I personally think 10 mins with a good pressure washer will make it look brand new

WILL I DAMAGE ANYHTHING?

thanks chris

We just persevered but if you do be careful not to place the nozzle 'head-on' with any seals. But I guess that's just common sense...

I would at least give it a careful go...

I scraped off what i could first then worked the nooks and crannies with a yoghurt pot of parrafin and a toothbrush. Washed off what was left then attacked it with the grinder.

Rotary wire brush on drill, also known as a decarburizing brush - from the days when every motorist did his/her own decokes. Gets in the crannies a treat.

Rotary brush on an angle grinder really viscious! If it largely oil based crud I gather oven cleaner does the business though don't leave this too long on ally as it can eat it!

proprietary engine cleaners sprayed on and vlasted off with a pressure washer are good, it is goo practice to drain diff completely and refill with new oil after pressure washing just in case, particularly if it is not going to be used straight away,

Stiff toothbrush is also useful to get in tight corners but remember to wash it out thourghly before putting it back in the bathroom


Caber

i used a dremmel type tool with the cone shaped grinding tool for the hard to reach bits, other than that i used a twisted wire brush attachment for the grinder.

You dont have to be too exact cleaning them off. i got mine more aor less OK then give it a couple of coats of matt black - looked great and is hardly seen when build completed. Its the insides that are more important.