replacing seal on dana 30 cover?

[66broncofan]

It’s probably a stupid question - but her it goes, and TIA!
As I peer into my front end - it looks pretty dirty. Any thing I should avoid if cleaning it (i.e. chemicals - sensitive parts etc.) or should I just button it back up and replace fluids? I've attached a pic - not because you all have never seen a Dana 30, but because I am testing out my abilities to post pictures.

 

[rednck21]

you can use sandpaper or a wire wheel of some sort to clean the flat surface of the axle and the cover(where they mount together) you want them as shiny as possible for a good seal. then, go get a can or 2 of brake cleaner and spray everything out. you can use silicone to seal them....you dont have to buy a gasket unless you just want to. HTH

 

[SaddleUp]

If you decide to use a gasket then either get two or pick up a tube of RTV so you can do it over when it leaks. I think I would yank the carrier and replace the seals as well. There is a slight milky color to that fluid which means water probably got in there at some point. Any solvent should be okay to use to clean it with. Just don't soak the seals in it. Other than that everything in yours is cast or steel so it will not hurt it.