I'm tired of scraping and re-sealing my diff covers every time I change gear lube.
I have no problem finding paper gaskets, but they still need to be sealed and scraped. Where can I get re-useable gaskets (like rubber?) for Dana diff's that don't need sealant and actually seal?

I havent found a gasket that would hold oil yet, I think you are stuck scraping those suckers off

just use RTV, it comes off easier and seals better

Even the shop I took my Jeep to have the gears set only uses RTV

diff. gaskets are worthless

It's not that hard to scrape 'em off. Scrape a little, swig a brew, repeat until surface is clean :D

i use only RTV ultra black (no paper gaskets).

it comes off OK with brake cleaner, a scraper, and a brass scrub brush.

matt

how long do you let the RTV set up before you place the cover?

I used to use black RTV for diff gaskets and it worked great. However, I found some stuff called "The Right Stuff" which works much better than RTV. What I really like about it is you don't wait for it to set up. The directions actually say to assemble the parts within five minutes of applying the product. It also scrapes off much easier than RTV and I've had fewer leaks since using it.

If you are that tired of doing such a simple task then don't own a Jeep wrenching is just one of those things you have to do but if you really need a better solution just flip your gear oil pump and suck out the gear oil through the fill plug opening or if thats too hard just take off the fill plug and stand your Jeep up on the rear bumper and gravity will do the rest. Make sure to clean off the plug of all that icky metal shavings before you put it back in:rolleyes:

Originally posted by cmegoup
I used to use black RTV for diff gaskets and it worked great. However, I found some stuff called "The Right Stuff" which works much better than RTV. What I really like about it is you don't wait for it to set up. The directions actually say to assemble the parts within five minutes of applying the product. It also scrapes off much easier than RTV and I've had fewer leaks since using it.

Same here... this stuff -or - RTV.

One of these with a wire wheel could do the trick in about 5 seconds.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/42200-42299/42203.gif

i let it set up about 3 minutes. put enough on the flat surface of the cover to get a 1/16" thick coating over the whole flat surface. when you bolt it down (make sure both surfaces are clean and dry), you should get a little (about 1/8" diameter) bead of RTV squish out from the joint all the way around. hope this helps!

matt

Originally posted by MOVEASIDE
If you are that tired of doing such a simple task then don't own a Jeep wrenching is just one of those things you have to do but if you really need a better solution just flip your gear oil pump and suck out the gear oil through the fill plug opening or if thats too hard just take off the fill plug and stand your Jeep up on the rear bumper and gravity will do the rest. Make sure to clean off the plug of all that icky metal shavings before you put it back in:rolleyes:

I love wrenching - but what's wrong with asking if there is a quicker way? I guess if I'm using an air rachet or impact wrench I shouldn't own a Jeep either? How about electricity - can I use that and still own a Jeep?

Some vehicles use gaskets on the diff cover and some don't. If you do frequent teardowns, a gasket can make a difference versus if you just wrench occasionally. If there isn't a decent one available for these units, so be it.

Still, if it's alright with you I'll keep the jeep and use the tools that make it quicker. You just go ahead and do things the slow way if you want......

attach a scotch brite roto disk to your right angle die grinder and the gaskets literally fly off!
later
bob

Here's what I did, although I haven't taken the covers off again yet to see if it's going to work how I wanted it to:

I put a big, thick bead of silicone on the housing. Like, 1/4" thick. Then I let it sit and dry for a little over a day, or until completely solidified. It works like a rubber gasket when I torque the cover bolts down and, if my theory is accurate, will not stick to the cover. That way when I take the over off, the silicone stays and I can reuse it.

Or at least that's the plan. We'll see if it works. :)

J. J.

Most common mistake is people using too much RTV. You don't need a crap load. Just enough to seal the impurities of a gasket and the housing. A nice thin layer and a nice even tightening of the bolts.

Same principal when putting a heatsink on a CPU. You want to put a very thin layer just to fill the voids between the metals. Since metal to metal is the best possible conductive material it will keep your cpu the coolest.

I use either ultra black or some stuff form toyota called FPIG, No setup time just put it on and tightn down the bolts and your ready to fill..

Originally posted by bcompton


I love wrenching - but what's wrong with asking if there is a quicker way? I guess if I'm using an air rachet or impact wrench I shouldn't own a Jeep either? How about electricity - can I use that and still own a Jeep?

Some vehicles use gaskets on the diff cover and some don't. If you do frequent teardowns, a gasket can make a difference versus if you just wrench occasionally. If there isn't a decent one available for these units, so be it.

Still, if it's alright with you I'll keep the jeep and use the tools that make it quicker. You just go ahead and do things the slow way if you want......

SMACK

Moveaside getting slammed by newbies now :D