My rear differential is leaking fluid out of it. I just did a fluid change about a month or so ago. I am 90% sure that the leak is coming from the seal around the differential cover. I picked up some more diff fluid and som sealer at autozone yesterday. I have never removed the differential cover before. Is there anything that I need to know or should look for when doing so?
Rear Differential Leak question
Nickit1981
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My rear differential is leaking fluid out of it. I just did a fluid change about a month or so ago. I am 90% sure that the leak is coming from the seal around the differential cover. I picked up some more diff fluid and som sealer at autozone yesterday. I have never removed the differential cover before. Is there anything that I need to know or should look for when doing so?
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You will need some black RTV to reseal the stock cover, clean the surface well and wiper it down with brake cleaner before applying rtv.. A rear diff doesn't leak from many places. Out of the ends of the axle potentially, pinion seal (near the driveshaft), the cover itself, or the diff venting fluid through the breather line that is on the passenger axle tube on the rear.
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Yep. I pretty much verified its leaking from the seal around the cover. I got the heat resistant RTV. Will that make much of a difference?
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I specifically use the black Permatex, if memory serves me right, it's the only one of the bunch that specifically says "oil resistant" on it
Black
http://www.permatex.com/products/Au.../auto_Permatex_Ultra_Black_Maximum_Oil_Resistance_RTV_Silicone_Gasket_Maker.htm
High temp
http://www.permatex.com/products/Au.../auto_Permatex_Ultra_Black_Maximum_Oil_Resistance_RTV_Silicone_Gasket_Maker.htm
I understand the red suggests to use it on valve covers, oil pans, etc. However neither one of those is actually "below" the level of oil like it is on a differential cover. Sealing a valve cover has to do with keeping oil that splashes around on it inside, sealing a differential cover has to basically seal half of a bowl that is filled with oil. I use the black..
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Ha.. i googled the difference betweenthe 2 and i came to that conclusion as well. it isnt opened yet and i have the reciept so I can just go exchange it for the black.. unless someone has a valid argument otherwise...
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Go get the ultra black or the ultra blue. Both are pretty much the same ingredient wise with the exception of slightly lower filler content (lime stone / calcium carbonate) in the ultra blue so it will stay a bit more flexible when cured.
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This is what i ended up getting. Autozone didnt have any lube lockers there.. and I need to do this ASAP and dont have time to search. next time Ill get the locker and be done with it.
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thanks! ill use my imagination of what might happen and save ya the agony of having to tell the story.
Piss on black RTV. If you want to ENSURE it remains sealed, and NEVER leaks, pick up a tube of Right Stuff RTV. It's basically the superglue of RTV's, and, you actually don't even need to take the cover off to fix the seal with it. Just wipe and dry the area that's leaking, and put a dab of Right Stuff on your finger, and smother it around real well, and let it dry. You may want to wear a nitrile glove when doing the application, as it is a pain in the ass to clean up.
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When you say super glue.. it get nervous. Is it really that adhesive? I plan on regearing within a year.. and dont want to have to take a welding torch to my diff just to get the cover off. Also.. I plan on swapping in a lube locker the next time I change the fluid.. so this is just temporary basically.
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The "right stuff" is very good, necessary? I don't personally think so. I have used it with great results, but regular black RTV will do just fine on a diff cover. That stuff is also ~$15/can as well.
It's not an adhesive, it's just a very high quality RTV I guess you can call it. I would use it on an oil pan or something that has less than ideal sealing surfaces. I used regular black RTV on my 'Cuda rear axle about six years ago, not a drip...
It's not an adhesive, it's just a very high quality RTV I guess you can call it. I would use it on an oil pan or something that has less than ideal sealing surfaces. I used regular black RTV on my 'Cuda rear axle about six years ago, not a drip...
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x2 on this. The reuseable part is what sold me on it.
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got it sealed up with the extreme black rtv or whatever its called. no leaks. i will probably order a lube locker in a couple weeks for next time. thanks guys.
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X3 on the lube locker. Just clean it real good before reusing it.
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I have a leaking rear diff cover also, took it to the dealer and he said it was fine , don't worry about it. Holiday weekend and it is still leaking, so I cleaned the area (around the 8:00 oclock position bolt on the cover) and applied clear silicone sealer. Will this hold or should I get something else, like what you wre talking about? I am on vacation so can't pull the cover. Need a quick and easy fix.
there's no easy fix. you have to pull the cover scrap the old gasket and apply a new one.
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