Dana 44 cover: gasket, RTV, or both?

[rang-a-stang]

I pretty much always use a gasket where the factory used a gasket. Lately I have seen a few articles and videos where folks just used a bead of rtv (Right Stuff mostly) instead of a gasket. What do you guys do?

[Cecil14]

Gaskets should work fine there, provided the cover isn't bent or warped (which happens pretty often with the thin factory covers). I have honestly never gotten my covers to completely seal with gaskets. If you do go RTV, put a bead on there, then the cover very lightly (do not torque right away), then let it sit for a couple hours. You want the RTV to seal, and if you torque the cover down right away, everything will smoosh out before it sets up at all.

Another key is that everything must be CLEAN. That can be tricky on diffs, because there's usually at least a little bit of oil left in the bottom that likes to trickle out. Clean that all up before you try sealing it.


aa

[babywag]

Just a dry gasket, or just a bead of RTV but not both.

[joe]

Just a dry gasket, or just a bead of RTV but not both.

X2

[FSJunkie]

I use both. They don't leak. At all. A few hits with a rubber mallet breaks them loose next time.

[Tripwire]

Dunno, guess the golden question is.....Is it leaking now? I have never used RTV

is the cover damaged or over tightened? if so IMHO i would use not RTV but a product called "the right stuff"

if not then perhaps you need simply a new gasket - and torque to spec....make a 1 hr road trip and re-tighten

[rang-a-stang]

Gonna change the fluid in both. I changed the rear a while ago but it was super nasty so I want to change it again. The front is original to when I bought it and is in unknown condition. Neither cover leaks right now. Rear cover HAD RTV when I pulled it the first time, I re-installed with a dry gasket.

[asphaltrockdweller]

Lubelocker gasket.
More money, but they seal perfectly, and are reusable.

[letank]

Gonna change the fluid in both. I changed the rear a while ago but it was super nasty so I want to change it again. The front is original to when I bought it and is in unknown condition. Neither cover leaks right now. Rear cover HAD RTV when I pulled it the first time, I re-installed with a dry gasket.

May be suction with vacuum pump... to save time and effort. Drive a little to warm up the fluid.


RTV for me, paper is the inexpensive way for the manufacturer

[Mass]

It was common for me to have refuse trucks come in with broken stripped out center sections (diffs). They spin the tires in a muddy alley and when they catch traction on the pavement. SNAP! .. anyway.. clean it up really good and like cecil said, get that drip. Where it drips is the most crucial area to clean and seal. Shove paper towels in there and soak it up. Brake clean the surfaces and I always use ultra gray without a gasket. Put a bead on the housing and go take lunch. When you come back torque it down slow and even, wipe off excess, let it sit a day or more if you can, then add oil. If you need to add oil and get it going immediately its not ideal but it'll be fine.

Never had one come back with a leak or so much as seepage.

[Mr Carts]

Lubelocker gasket.
More money, but they seal perfectly, and are reusable.

It did not work on my 80 FSJ WT with stock cover.

Sealing ridges on gasket did not have any area to seal on at the bolt hole recessed gasket area.

[Be from Be]

I use both with good results. The cleaning is most important, and just a thin layer of RTV is enough for a perfect seal.

[77Deepj20]

I normally use rtv only. Haven't used a gasket in years. I also make it a point, at least on my trucks, to add a drain plug to the bottom of the housing so I can change oil without taking the cover off after a trip in the water/mud