Rear Differential Cover
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Rear Differential Cover


Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover

Part No. 697-701 Warranty  

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Featuring a corrosion resistant coating to help prevent rusting, Dorman’s Differential Cover is engineered for long-lasting protection of the differential. Designed as a direct replacement, a proper fit is assured every time.

Product Features:
  • Comes with pre-installed magnet in cover
  • Fiberglass composite gasket included (where applicable)
  • Includes high quality rubber fill plug (where applicable)
  • Constructed from durable stamped steel
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Axle Manufacturer:GM
Bolt Hole Quantity:10
Finish:Gray
Material:Low Carbon Steel

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Dorman - OE SolutionsRear Differential Cover
 
4.4

(based on 10 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (10)
  • Durable (6)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Trucks (7)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Mechanic (3)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (8)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Nice Replacement Cover!

    Used on a 1999 Chevy Blazer 4 wheel drive, 4 door, Vin "W" vehicle....

    Installation of this differential cover was smooth & perfect! Couldn't...Read complete review

    Used on a 1999 Chevy Blazer 4 wheel drive, 4 door, Vin "W" vehicle....

    Installation of this differential cover was smooth & perfect! Couldn't ask for a better fit... Was shaped and had relief cutouts just like OEM cover for the brake line brackets...

    I was lucky and was able to re-use my existing cover bolts, but I really wish this would have came with new bolts... other than that... no
    complaints what-so-ever...

    I used gasket in combination with permatex ultra blue gasket sealer... No worry installation and no leaks!

    Fitment and Installation A+

    (for people that haven't done a differential cover before, this does not come with instructions, but is pretty strait forward)

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    Perfect fit on 96 Blazer 4x4

    After 16 years the old cover finally rusted out. Honestly, I don't think this cover will last as long. Metal seems a lot thinner but it fit correctly and and the price is right...Read complete review

    After 16 years the old cover finally rusted out. Honestly, I don't think this cover will last as long. Metal seems a lot thinner but it fit correctly and and the price is right. It would have been better if new bolts were included or tagged on the site to fit this diff and cover. I'm a little leary of the gasket but will keep an eye on it. OK for a quick fix on an old vehicle.

    Reviewed by 10 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-10

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    5.0

    Quality product

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy To Use

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Trucks

      Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

      Exact replacement for my '97 S10 p/u; has magnet on inside, good quality. Highly recommended

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review(earn points)

       
      5.0

      good product for the money

      By jon

      from michigan

      About Me Casual Driver

      Verified Buyer
      Level 1

      Pros

      • Durable
      • Easy To Use

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Trucks

        Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

        easy to install

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Comment on this review(earn points)

         
        4.0

        OEM style diffrerential cover

        By Wiseguy

        from Darien, Illinois

        About Me Auto Enthusiast, Mechanic

        Verified Buyer
        Level 1

        Pros

        • Easy To Use

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Large Cars
          • Small Cars
          • Trucks

          Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

          This product is just what you need to replace a rusted out cover. The price for the cover and gasket is very reasonable, and fits perfectly. The only down side is that you have to prime/refinish the cover prior to installation, as it comes in bare steel. (No big deal there.)Just refinish it the day before,get your gasket sealer out and install.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review(earn points)

           
          3.0

          Perfect fit on 96 Blazer 4x4

          By JDH

          from Pittsburgh area

          About Me Casual Driver

          Verified Buyer
          3 or more reviews submitted

          Pros

          • Easy To Use

          Cons

          • Seems Thinner

          Best Uses

          • Quick Replacement
          • Trucks

          Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

          After 16 years the old cover finally rusted out. Honestly, I don't think this cover will last as long. Metal seems a lot thinner but it fit correctly and and the price is right. It would have been better if new bolts were included or tagged on the site to fit this diff and cover. I'm a little leary of the gasket but will keep an eye on it. OK for a quick fix on an old vehicle.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review(earn points)

           
          3.0

          Cover fine Gasket Brittle and Dried Out

          By joe5454us

          from Vermilion Ohio

          About Me Mechanic

          Ask me a question

          Verified Buyer
          3 or more reviews submitted

          Pros

          • Easy To Use
          • New Cover Fits Right

          Cons

          • Gasket Dried OUT

          Best Uses

          • Trucks

          Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

          Cover fit fine, gasket was not fine. Really not usable gasket, because of being dried out.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review(earn points)

           
          5.0

          Nice Replacement Cover!

          By Pakratt

          from Clyde, OH

          About Me Auto Enthusiast, Truck Enthusiast

          Level 4

          Pros

          • Comes with Gasket
          • Durable
          • Easy To Use
          • Good Stamped Part Quality
          • Perfect Fit

          Cons

          • Wish it came with bolts

          Best Uses

            Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

            Used on a 1999 Chevy Blazer 4 wheel drive, 4 door, Vin "W" vehicle....

            Installation of this differential cover was smooth & perfect! Couldn't ask for a better fit... Was shaped and had relief cutouts just like OEM cover for the brake line brackets...

            I was lucky and was able to re-use my existing cover bolts, but I really wish this would have came with new bolts... other than that... no
            complaints what-so-ever...

            I used gasket in combination with permatex ultra blue gasket sealer... No worry installation and no leaks!

            Fitment and Installation A+

            (for people that haven't done a differential cover before, this does not come with instructions, but is pretty strait forward)

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review(earn points)

             
            4.0

            Good for the money

            By jaj

            from florida

            About Me Mechanic

            Ask me a question

            Verified Buyer
            3 or more reviews submitted

            Pros

            • Easy To Use

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Trucks

              Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

              cover is ok but description says all attaching parts included, but there are no bolts. I had to take out a bolt and go find some because they are not listed anywhere in parts catalog.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Comment on this review(earn points)

              (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Good Quality Replacement

              By Aeromaster

              from Fairfield Pa.

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Came with gasket
              • Durable
              • Easy To Use
              • Good quality
              • Perfect Fit

              Cons

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

                  My original cover rusted through, this was an exact fit.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Comment on this review(earn points)

                  (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Great item for for $$$

                  By N/A

                  from Valley Falls NY

                  Verified Buyer
                  Level 3

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Easy To Use

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Trucks

                    Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

                    Great item for $$$[...]

                    • Car & Truck:
                    • Casual Driver

                    Comment on this review(earn points)

                    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    5.0

                    Item as described and good price.

                    By james

                    from Phelps, NY

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Durable
                    • Easy To Use

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Small Cars

                      Comments about Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover:

                      Item as described and good price.

                      • Car & Truck:
                      • Auto Enthusiast

                      Comment on this review(earn points)

                      Displaying reviews 1-10

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                      Do you have questions about this product?(earn points for answers!)

                       

                      Ask a question, get answers from real customers and in-house experts. Or contact Customer Care by email or call 1-877-238-2623.

                      3 Questions | 4 Answers
                      Displaying questions 1-3
                      • Q:

                        is there openning in cover to fill the differential with fuild and does it have rubber plug to seal it.
                        Asked on 8/27/2012 by Tom from Plattsburgh

                        1 answer

                        • CUSTOMER CARE

                          A:

                          No, this part Dorman - OE Solutions Rear Differential Cover, Part No. 697-701 does not have a hole in it. What you see in the picture is a magnet.
                          For compatibility of this part with your vehicle, please provide your vehicle make, model and engine specification.
                          For any further assistance, please feel free to call us at 1-877-238-2623 or visit your nearest Advance Auto Parts store and our representatives would be more than happy to assist you.

                          Answered on 8/27/2012 by Aaron from AAP
                      • Q:

                        I would suggest You actually Pull this part from the shelf and look at it before supplying False information again. My original contact stated: "The description says "Kit includes cover, gasket and magnet" My question is : Is the magnet mounted to an inspection plug? a common problem for the vehicle this item fits is a frozen inspection plug, and that is My reason for replacement of the original differential cover." and to this question this answer was given: Vincent from AAP said:

                        "Yes, the magnet on this Dorman - OE Solutions Differential Cover with part# 697-701 is mounted to an inspection plug. For assisting you further, please provide the year, make, model and engine size of the vehicle."
                        Here is the problem : Dorman Products also supplies the exact same product, under the "Balkamp" Name, for NAPA auto parts.
                        Dorman part# 697-701 is exactly the same part supplied to NAPA as Balkamp BK635-1054 and DOES NOT have an inspection plug PERIOD
                        Asked on 1/24/2012 by Anonymous from L.A. Lower Alabama

                        2 answers

                        • A:

                          Two problems here. The vin code for the 4.3 V6 indicates the 8.8 Ring gear. The description of this product is for the 7.6 ring gear. Which is it? Is the web site wrong, is this for a 8.8? All V6 S10's use an 8.8" ring gear. Next to address the question you have. All of the 8.8 came from the factory with a Visteon axle assembly. Diff covers had no holes. The magnet is glued right where the plug would normally be on the inside of the cover. No hole is there. You fill from the plug on the front side of the housing. You drain by pulling the cover.

                          Answered on 10/23/2012 by bmorgil from Ohio
                        • CUSTOMER CARE

                          A:

                          We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The Dorman - OE Solutions Differential Cover (Part No. 697-701) comes with cover only and other parts are not included. Sorry again for the incorrect information provided earlier.

                          Answered on 1/25/2012 by John the Car-Doc from AAP
                      • Q:

                        The description says "Kit includes cover, gasket and magnet" My question is : Is the magnet mounted to an inspection plug? a common problem for the vehicle this item fits is a frozen inspection plug, and that is My reason for replacement of the original differential cover.
                        Asked on 1/21/2012 by Marvin from L.A. (Lower Alabama)

                        1 answer

                        • CUSTOMER CARE

                          A:

                          Yes, the magnet on this Dorman - OE Solutions Differential Cover with part#  697-701 is mounted to an inspection plug. For assisting you further, please provide the year, make, model and engine size of the vehicle.

                          Answered on 1/23/2012 by Vincent from AAP
                      Displaying questions 1-3

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                      Disclaimer We strive to keep all information accurate and up-to-date; however, product availability, pricing, promotions and store hours are subject to change without notice. Please contact Customer Care if you have any questions or corrections.