cleaning inside of rear differentail

[chronos]

How can I go about cleaning inside of rear differentail
before putting cover back on?
Also what should I use to seal the cover back on , gasket or rtv?
Thanks

[VileZambonie]

Wipe it out. You can use brake clean. Use the right stuff by permatex.

[1980c10]

No gasket and what vile said and watch for leaks for a few weeks or so.

[chronos]

Thanks , I can get  "Permatex Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker"
here is all I can find (I'm in CANADA) I assume this will be OK?
Got the brake cleaner today

[Mr Diesel]

Thanks , I can get  "Permatex Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker"

I use this for just about everything that had a gasket. Works great, cheaper, and lasts longer.

[chronos]

Great,I will pick some of that up today.
I have a 1986 10 bolt open rear in this truck.
How much fluid does it hold? Can I put the fluid in through the vent tube?

[VileZambonie]

No you fill it through the fill plug.

[malibu795]

had a rep from perma tex come to school last week..


they ultra cooper is strong enough to make exhaust gaskets..... lay a bead.. let is dry/skin over then install...

[SUX2BU99]

And it's probably much easier to find a RTV product at various stores and times than it is to buy a gasket from a parts store.


That all said, on my truck, each time I've had a drip from the rear diff, it's been when sealant was used and not a gasket. The two times I've used gaskets and my chrome cover, no leaks. Even when a specialty differential shop was working on my truck, they used sealant and I had a leak. It allllll depends on how good you apply it and clean the surface it's sealing against.

[Jim Rockford]

I always buy a gasket, then smear axle grease on one side of the gasket, that way next time i take it off it doesn't stick.

[Layne]

I put a light coating of rtv on the gasket then put it on. That's me, though

[VileZambonie]

Layne, you're defeating the purpose of the gasket when you do that so why use the gasket? RTV does not ad too the sealability to a gasket. If you like using a gasket, scrap the RTV and use a gasket adhesive sealant.

[Layne]

So it's one or the other? I figured rtv + gasket = no leak.

[VileZambonie]

Good RTV = no leak and no need for gasket.

[Layne]

Ok thanks. I only use "the right stuff" that you guys recommend anyway, so being extra picky actually makes it worse.