My rear differential service - with pics

[Krewat]

Added to the tech folder, right after guzzle's write up.

[powerstroke72]

Originally Posted by Krewat

Added to the tech folder, right after guzzle's write up.

Thanks Art!

[Rugby3]

Thanks for the write up and information on the new cover! I wanted to add a new cover but not at the price some of the aftermarket ones go for even with the extra capacity. I did mine about 3 months ago and didn't let it skim either. It hasn't leaked yet.

[Krewat]

I've found over the past 20 years of using RTV that letting it skin usually makes it last longer. I think the idea is that if you tighten the cover enough, without it skinning over, you can actually push out all the RTV between the cover and the housing. Then, it will leak.

If you do not tighten it enough for that to happen, it doesn't leak

[EXv10]

Originally Posted by Krewat

I've found over the past 20 years of using RTV that letting it skin usually makes it last longer. I think the idea is that if you tighten the cover enough, without it skinning over, you can actually push out all the RTV between the cover and the housing. Then, it will leak.

If you do not tighten it enough for that to happen, it doesn't leak

That was Guzzles' theory and it does make sense to me the more I think about it because they can't make it thick enough to be used directly from the container and anything that thin will be squished to a thin film with that much pressure.

[bpounds]

Originally Posted by Krewat

I think the idea is that if you tighten the cover enough, without it skinning over, you can actually push out all the RTV between the cover and the housing. Then, it will leak.

Originally Posted by EXv10

That was Guzzles' theory and it does make sense to me the more I think about it because they can't make it thick enough to be used directly from the container and anything that thin will be squished to a thin film with that much pressure.

The Permatex instructions address that issue. Basically, assemble immediately while RTV is wet, lightly tighten to squeeze out evently, wait 2 hours and re-torque. I did not do it exactly like that.

Here are the instructions:
http://www.permatex.com/documents/td...tive/82180.pdf

I think that is far different than letting the open beads skin over, which is how I interpret Guzzle's writing. But I could be misinterpreting.


Here is the main Permatex page for the product I used:
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut...sket_Maker.htm

[EXv10]

That makes even more sense to me.

[TexasRebel]

just curious, but is there not a gasket for the 10.5"?

[senix]

no gasket, just the permatex

[EXv10]

I guess the days of the gaskets went away with the advent of the hi-tech sealers............to a point.

[TexasRebel]

Also curious, did you take the time to check the lash in the gears while it was open?

[bpounds]

Originally Posted by TexasRebel

Also curious, did you take the time to check the lash in the gears while it was open?

No. I had no reason to suspect an issue like that.

[EXv10]

Checking and changing the lash can be detrimental. The lash can vary with the gearset due to the original cutting of the teeth. What is more important is the contact area which can be checked with red lead, prussian blue, etc. Basically if it doesn't whine, don't touch it.

[senix]

Originally Posted by EXv10

Checking and changing the lash can be detrimental. The lash can vary with the gearset due to the original cutting of the teeth. What is more important is the contact area which can be checked with red lead, prussian blue, etc. Basically if it doesn't whine, don't touch it.

Now that is the best advice! If it an't broke don't fix it. I'd rep ya but I gotta spread the love first.

[Vijay]

I just replaced mine as well. I did both front and rear....