HELP sealing diff cover!

[knottshawk]

Okay, so I'm using the black RTV sealant... The TDS on their website says to get the bolts finger tight, then let it set up for 2 hours before torquing it down. HOWEVER, their instructions that come with the tube say to just tighten them down at once.

WHICH IS RIGHT!??!?! I need to know quick... it's out there "finger tight" right now...waiting to get screwed up.

 

[Midnight Krawler]

just tighten it down.

 

[knottshawk]

K...thanks
Can I fill it in the morning?

 

[mikejwil]

just tighten it down.

x2

Being the paranoid person that I am, I got the paper/cork gaskets and smeared them with RTV black...

 

[87manche]

I always tighten them down until the RTV squishes. Then wait for it to skin over, about 30 minutes, then tighten them to spec. You don't want to squeeze it all out, it's a gasket maker, not a sealant.

 

[knottshawk]

Do you have to make your own gasket (like cork, or rubber) if you want to go the NON-rtv route? They don't sell them pre-made do they?

 

[bajacalal]

Yes they do just go to the autoparts store and ask for the gasket that goes on the differential cover and tell them what car and axle you've got. I personally like using the RTV with no gasket (red or grey) on diff. covers but I draw the line there. Make sure you go on the inside of the bolt holes, I go all the way around in a loop, don't use too much RTV and don't mess it all up wiggling the cover around.

 

[Midnight Krawler]

K...thanks
Can I fill it in the morning?

Yes, let it setup overnight.

 

[GSequoia]

I used to be anal and paranoid, paid attention to torque, staged it, blah blah...

Anyway these days I just use only RTV (red, but that doens't make a big difference), no gasket, I put on a good bead around (+/- 3/16 wide) making SURE to go around both sides of hte bolt holes (make an eye). Slap the cover on and tighten it down goodentite.

 

[creeperjeep]

Anyway these days I just use only RTV (red, but that doens't make a big difference), no gasket, I put on a good bead around (+/- 3/16 wide) making SURE to go around both sides of hte bolt holes (make an eye). Slap the cover on and tighten it down goodentite.

That and you can fill it right away, no need to make changing diff oil an overnight event

 

[Fred85]

i used the black...applying a 1/8" bead and tightened the bolts fingertight, came back in 20 mins and torqued them to spec..........no leaks

 

[tweekedknee]

ive done the diffs on my ranger and front and rear on my jeep and ive just cleaned the surfaces pretty good (grinder w/ wire brush on the cover and razor blade on the diff) put a bead on the cover bolt it on and fill it up. Never had any trouble with leaks.

 

[XJMAN]

I used Permatex Red on my 8.25 diff and it leaked. Switched to Permatex Copper, and no leaks yet. Changed fluids a month ago. I did the exact same install and prep procedures for both. I will only buy the copper RTV from now on. A buck or two is worth it to me.

 

[JeepZJlover]

Heck i just normally buy a gasket and just smear some rtv on it to seal up the little scratches and imperfections