aFe Pro Series M186 Front Diff Cover - Jeep Black

Axle-specific differential protection

The aFe 46-71010B Pro Series black cover fits the specified Dana M186 front differential.

Key Features

• Cast aluminum with reinforcing ribs, internal/external cooling fins and black powder-coating with machined fins.
• Magnetic drain plug and 1/2-inch NPT magnetic top fill plug with a 3-inch deep reach.
• Pre-installed sight glass and factory-level calibration port.
• Manufacturer states this product does not require a CARB EO number. This statement applies to the cover itself.

Fitment

46-71010B: The exact current manufacturer lists Wrangler JL 2018-2023 2.0L turbo/3.6L with a Dana M186 front axle; the linked complete manual is headed 2018-2019. Confirm the actual axle identification and clearances. Exact-part independent tables positively list Rubicon and 4xe trims, but those rows conflict with factory axle documentation: Jeep identifies the Rubicon front axle as M210 and the 2021 4xe specification identifies next-generation Dana 44 front axles. Rubicon, Unlimited Rubicon and the two old 4xe groups are withheld from this M186 application, not represented as interchange-tested. Remaining named rows require the specified M186 axle; no Gladiator, different axle, diesel or later-year approval is inferred.

Specifications

What's Included

• One black powder-coated cast-aluminum front differential cover with machined fins; twelve M8 x 1.25 x 25 socket-head screws and twelve flat washers; one M12 x 1.25 magnetic drain plug with crush washer; one 1/8-inch NPT calibration plug; one 1/2-inch NPT magnetic top fill plug with a 3-inch deep reach; and a pre-installed porthole view gauge. Raw-cover plain plugs are alternative-variant parts, not extra contents of this kit.
• The exact manual reuses the original factory gasket. Carefully remove and inspect it; a new gasket, tube of RTV, gear oil, axle additive, tools, filter and coupler are not established in the bill of materials. Select lubricant and additive requirements for the actual axle.

About aFe Power

aFe Power develops application-specific intake, filtration, exhaust, cooling, tuning, suspension, drivetrain, and truck-performance components supported by product testing and documented installation requirements.

Important Disclosures

• California Proposition 65 warning: this product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.

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• Shop the complete aFe Power collection

Related Parts

Explore aFe Power drivetrain parts. Select the exact front and rear covers separately by axle identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Black Pro Series cast-aluminum cover for the Dana M186 front axle.

The exact current manufacturer lists Wrangler JL 2018-2023 2.0L turbo/3.6L with a Dana M186 front axle; the linked complete manual is headed 2018-2019. Confirm the actual axle identification and clearances. Exact-part independent tables positively list Rubicon and 4xe trims, but those rows conflict with factory axle documentation: Jeep identifies the Rubicon front axle as M210 and the 2021 4xe specification identifies next-generation Dana 44 front axles. Rubicon, Unlimited Rubicon and the two old 4xe groups are withheld from this M186 application, not represented as interchange-tested. Remaining named rows require the specified M186 axle; no Gladiator, different axle, diesel or later-year approval is inferred.

1/2-inch npt magnetic top fill plug with a 3-inch deep reach and a pre-installed porthole view gauge. The exact M186 manual’s bill of materials and finish-specific steps identify the 1/2-inch, 3-inch magnetic fill plug and pre-installed gauge. Use the supplied black variant components and check the boxed revision against this manual.

Twelve M8 x 1.25 x 25 socket-head screws and twelve flat washers; these are the mounting fasteners listed by this exact manual.

The exact manual reuses the original factory gasket. Carefully remove and inspect it; a new gasket, tube of RTV, gear oil, axle additive, tools, filter and coupler are not established in the bill of materials. Select lubricant and additive requirements for the actual axle.

Fill with the correct new axle lubricant until it runs from the 1/8-inch calibration port, approximately 1.5 quarts in the manual’s illustrated installation. The calibrated level governs rather than a universal bottle count; verify the proper level if a lifted vehicle has a rotated axle.

The exact manual specifies 12-16 ft-lb for all twelve mounting screws in a crisscross pattern. It provides no numerical drain-plug torque or NPT turn count; do not borrow the TRX or Bronco plug instructions.

Drain on a flat, dry surface with the tires blocked. Remove the lower ten bolts, loosen the top two to drain, then remove the cover and preserve the original gasket. Clean with a lint-free rag and gasket scraper without gouging or rounding the housing face. Fit the gasket and cover with all twelve supplied screws/washers, then tighten in a crisscross pattern. Install the magnetic drain plug and crush washer; fill by the calibration port, then apply the specified Teflon pipe sealant to the calibration and magnetic fill-plug threads and close the ports. Check clearance and leaks.

Installation Instructions

Read the current manufacturer listing for 46-71010B and full exact-family installation manual.

Drain on a flat, dry surface with the tires blocked. Remove the lower ten bolts, loosen the top two to drain, then remove the cover and preserve the original gasket. Clean with a lint-free rag and gasket scraper without gouging or rounding the housing face. Fit the gasket and cover with all twelve supplied screws/washers, then tighten in a crisscross pattern. Install the magnetic drain plug and crush washer; fill by the calibration port, then apply the specified Teflon pipe sealant to the calibration and magnetic fill-plug threads and close the ports. Check clearance and leaks.

The exact manual specifies 12-16 ft-lb for all twelve mounting screws in a crisscross pattern. It provides no numerical drain-plug torque or NPT turn count; do not borrow the TRX or Bronco plug instructions.

Fill with the correct new axle lubricant until it runs from the 1/8-inch calibration port, approximately 1.5 quarts in the manual’s illustrated installation. The calibrated level governs rather than a universal bottle count; verify the proper level if a lifted vehicle has a rotated axle.

46-71010B: The exact M186 manual’s bill of materials and finish-specific steps identify the 1/2-inch, 3-inch magnetic fill plug and pre-installed gauge. Use the supplied black variant components and check the boxed revision against this manual.

California Proposition 65 Warning

• California Proposition 65 warning: this product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.