Any problem sand blasting the rear end?

Before I reinstall my rear end, I'd like to clean it up and paint it. Any problem sandblasting, as long as I leave all the seals and joints intact while it's being done? I wouldn't think there would be a problem, but never assume...

Tape up the vent on the top, smear grease around the pinion and axle seals and tape them up too.

I would also remove the parking brake compensator and cables.

Be sure to put the two bolts back in the house though as I think that they might be drilled all the way inot the differential cavity. Nice to keep the sand out of the bosses in any event.

When you are done, remove the tape and wipe all of the grease away.

Jack

Bob, I'd use soda as a media to blast it instead of any other abrasive, that won't be nearly as damaging to the metal if some should happen to get into the works and should strip off the old crud very well. Make sure you either tape up the breather or remove it and plug the hole before blasting.

I've sand blasted them. Both the MGB & TR have had thiers done. Just use care to seal it up as suggested above. I've had sheetmetal soda blasted. Soda won't take the rust off and if it's like most rears I've seen, there won't be much if any paint to remove...just rust. Given the thickness of the metal in a rear end, sandblasting isn't going to harm it as long as none gets inside.

carefull with the cover,if its pitted then the blast media will go straight through,I blasted my cover off the axle, got holes everywhere.

I have been in the blasting game 30 years and I would only blast an intact rear end if I did it myself.

I would not trust anyone else.

I was a sole operator and did all my own work.

The average sandblaster would have an IQ of about Forrest Gump to do this for wages , so expect to have all your taping blown off and media all inside.

I've also done it with great results. Ditto on the vent hole, and definitely leave the seals in place!

[quote=pooch2]

I have been in the blasting game 30 years and I would only blast an intact rear end if I did it myself.

I would not trust anyone else.

I was a sole operator and did all my own work.

The average sandblaster would have an IQ of about Forrest Gump to do this for wages , so expect to have all your taping blown off and media all inside.[/quote]

I use a guy who is skilled and considerate of the job he's doing (took some stuff there the other day and he was doing a Mini shell) and there is bound to be someone like that in the area the OP lives.

I'd tape it up myself/keep the seals in and have it blasted.

Paul ;-)

Why not do most of the job with a wire wheel on an angle grinder and finish up with a blaster?

Just a few grains of sand will tear up the seals and seal surfaces in no time. Be very, very careful with this, and follow all the advice above. George's comment about hand cleaning around the seals and fully taping off those areas is brilliant.

I went with the wire wheel then media blast approach on my entire car... The media gets into EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and will easily eat away at anything softer then metal, remove anything that can be removed then seal up everything.