Correct. Backing plates are phosphate coated.


And the ends of 8-3/4" axles (but not Dana 60) were NOT painted. I have verified with EXTREME low mileage cars, as well as two NOS axle housings I have. This is easy to overlook because being machined and bare metal as new, during the normal service time after the cars delivery, they flash-rusted almost immediately.


Photos show one of my NOS housings before and after an aggressive wire wheel cleanup. Yes, that is an NOS housings that had lots for scratches and small divots from being moved around many times before I acquired it!


Bill Rolik