Leaking Diff cover after Kelderman dual stabilizer
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 134
Leaking Diff cover after Kelderman dual stabilizer
Not sure what I did wrong but it’s been about 4-5000 miles since I put the Kelderman dual stabilizer on my 2019 and I’m getting some gear oil leaking/seeping. There are those two bolts that get removed and require the longer bolts. I’m pretty sure I torqued them down proper but maybe not.
Anyone else have this issue?
Anyone else have this issue?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 8
I had the same issue and I know a couple others did too. Seems like everyone’s been pulling those two bolts out and applying some sealant to them and then reinstalling. I think I used some Permatex gasket maker if I remember right.
Out of curiosity, did you have to use the spacer or not? So far I think everyone who’s had a leak has the axle type that requires the spacer.
Out of curiosity, did you have to use the spacer or not? So far I think everyone who’s had a leak has the axle type that requires the spacer.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 134
I had the same issue and I know a couple others did too. Seems like everyone’s been pulling those two bolts out and applying some sealant to them and then reinstalling. I think I used some Permatex gasket maker if I remember right.
Out of curiosity, did you have to use the spacer or not? So far I think everyone who’s had a leak has the axle type that requires the spacer.
Out of curiosity, did you have to use the spacer or not? So far I think everyone who’s had a leak has the axle type that requires the spacer.
Yes that little half moon spacer I believe I used. I’ll have to take out the few bolts and apply some gasket stuff. Thank you.
Matt
5th Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: North Plains, Oregon
I had the same issue. Re-torqued the two bolts which slowed, but never eliminated the leak. Dealer noticed the leak when I had the truck in for an oil change. They said that Ford doesn't use a actual gasket, they use liquid gasket during assembly. The dealer said that the only way to completely get rid of the leak, would be to fully remove the cover, clean and re-apply liquid gasket, then re-torque bolts.
I decided to let the dealer do this for me, when I had the truck in for some other warranty repairs.
When it was all done, the service writer informed me that he got this covered under warranty. That was a nice surprise!!
I decided to let the dealer do this for me, when I had the truck in for some other warranty repairs.
When it was all done, the service writer informed me that he got this covered under warranty. That was a nice surprise!!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 134
I took the two Kelderman bolts out yesterday, coated them and reinstalled them. I also cleaned up the case good.
I’ll report back
I’ll report back
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 247
Likes: 23
it's probably putting just enough side stress on those bolts to create a small weeping leak. Looking at the force vectors from the shocks, when you are turning right the shock is effectively trying to push the two diff cover bolts out a bit via the bracket, and when turning left, it's compressing the bolts via the bracket. Repeated in and out stresses on those bolts via the bracket are likely causing it to leak, the bolts either stretch a bit over time, or just loosen up. It's not likely a huge amount, but liquids find a way even in the smallest of openings.
My opinion of course, not an engineer (I do have a degree in physics, but haven't really used it in 27 years.....)
My opinion of course, not an engineer (I do have a degree in physics, but haven't really used it in 27 years.....)
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 772
From: SoCal/Wyoming
Once you bolt the main part of the bracket over the axle, the two bolts going into the diff are not under much stress at all. One of the issues with the install is the use of the spacer and the longer bolts. If you have an OEM cover, you don’t use the spacer. The spacer is only needed if you have an after-market cover that requires the spacer. Another issue is not setting the torque on the two bolts properly. You are not breaking the seal on the diff so you should not need any gasket goop. If it didn’t leak before the install, it should not leak after.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 134
I have the STOCK cover on the front and I utilized the spacer. Without it, it wouldn’t have worked. When the stock bolts were taken out it must have disturbed the seal at the bolts, slightly.
Resealing worked for my application.
Resealing worked for my application.
