Pro Cork vs. Felt vs. Other Gaskets

[Fornesto]

Has anyone noticed a difference in these gaskets for the rear D44 cover? I'm gonna be replacing mine and wondered if the extra $4 was worth it for the pro cork at Napa.

[JeepFreak]

I always just used black RTV and think it seals better anyway.

[jode]

For differential covers, I was advised (and have followed said advice on several occasions with 100% leak free results) to forget about the gasket, and use RTV sealant. Should you decide to go this route, there are a few very key things that you will need to do.

1. Prep the surface well and get it 100% free of oil/residue (acetone or brake cleaner work well for this)
2. Install the diff cover with a small bead of continuous RTV ONLY FINGERTIGHT and let it set up for a good 4 hours or more.
3. Torque the bolts and add fluid.

Using this method, my diffs don't even have the grease stain that many people's diffs do from where the oil slowly seaps through the seals.
I also tend to use teflon tape on the cover plug.

[Chevelleguy]

RTV.

[2MUD-IN]

I'm not going to disagree with the above comments, but personally, I didn't have good luck with the RTV. I guess I was tightening the bolts down too much, and squeezing the RTV out, causing leaks.

I just use a cork gasket, and some Indian Head sealer. The sealer works great...best stuff I have found. I've used it on all my vehicles over the years, and change them frequently on my offroad rigs...due to water. You can pick it up at your local auto parts dealer, like Autozone, etc. Comes in a small brown bottle, with black lettering. It also has a fancy applicator inside.

But, to each their own. Whatever works best for you.