Sealing D44 diff cover

[Blue71]

I have a new gasket and have cleaned the mounting areas of both the diff and cover. What are you guys using to get these things sealed good? Is the typical blue gasket enough? Silicone sealer from Permatex? If so what flavor are ya putting it on both mounting surfaces? Also..what are u sealing the threaded plug with? Help me cure my leaks.

Thanks,

Blue71

 

[nickgp]

Several schools of thought on this one:
1) Gasket only(easiest to take apart, limited sealing
2)RTV only(works, but hard to clean up/take apart)
3)RTV on cover, gasket to housing, no RTV(seals good, fairly easy to take apart)
4)RTV on cover, gasket, RTV on housing(seals like crazy, hard to take apart,biggest mess, why even bother w a gasket?!)
I would opt for #3. Whichever you decide on, make sure your sealing surfaces are clean and free of any rough spots. A file works good to dress the mating surfaces. Also make sure the cover has a flat(true) mounting surface. As for what RTV to use, Blue, Black or Hi temp will all do the trick.

 

[bknbronco]

the squeeze cheese can permatex

 

[Rox Crusher]

Also, make sure to check that that the housing vent is functional.

When they are plugged up, the excess pressure causes the leaks at the cover.

 

[Blue71]

Great info guys. Is there a preferred RTV to use? Red, Black, Blue, etc?

Thanks Blue71

 

[broncoandy]

Forget about the RTV stuff. Lubelocker gaskets are the way to go. I use them and you can use them over and over. Some of the Bronco sites sale them or you can get them straight from lubelocker. They are worth the money.

 

[treihesse]

Lubelocker for sure....

 

[Mark]

I don't use gaskets on my differentials.
I just use this, it works like magic ...

 

[landshark99]

Lube locker or black rtv. Make sure you let the rtv set for 15 min or so before you bolt it together. Sometimes tough to make the gear oil stop oozing before getting the rtv on the mating surfaces which make the lube locker more appealing.

 

[KyleQ]

Black RTV- get it out of the can like pictured above.

 

[jhill52]

I use the permatex red spray-on gasket sealer. Asemblies dry and gasket is reusable. I haven't had a leak in years.

 

[Airmapper]

I've been using grey RTV, which is OEM specified for my DD's D44 rear.

It has leaked every time I've used it. It's leaking now as a matter of fact. Hell it leaked from the factory.

So, grey RTV, not the best option, for me anyway. I think I'll try what Mark posted up there next.

 

[Blue71]

Great info ..how long u guys letting set after putting it together, before filling it and driving it?

Blue71

 

[Mark]

Great info ..how long u guys letting set after putting it together, before filling it and driving it?

Blue71

The Right Stuff sets up in minutes, and can be filled and run in minutes.
Google it.. all kinds of testimonies about it.
I've haven't had a leak with it yet. And used it as my upper intake gasket also.
Pretty easy to clean up also when you take it apart, kinda peels away when you rub it with your finger.

 

[Broncobowsher]

RTV
Everything clean, lay the bead.
Put in place and finger in the bolts. Lightly snug them.
Walk away. Take as much time as possible. Overnight is great.
Torque the bolts down (pretty low spec I remember)
Fill.

This was for mating a machined cover to the machined housing. I was having issues with the two surfaces squeezing out all the sealer and develop a small weep after a month or so. Took some detective work to figure that there was almost no sealer between the 2 metal surfaces when I took it apart. So the apply, set, and torque has proven a few times over to be the best way for me to get a machined diff cover to seal to the machined diff housing.

Your results will probably vary.

 

[56f100bbw]

Good write up Broncobowsher I am on this in the morning Dana 44 cover

 

[EPB72]

There's actually RTV thats gear oil specific works great clean up is easier then most other silicone's if removed at a later time... I also like the toyota FIPG works well...

the lubelocker gaskets is what i'd use on my own stuff..with thread sealant PTFE on bolts and fill/drain plugs.

..

 

[Apogee]

Another vote for Lube Locker gasket, noting that they seem to work better with HD aftermarket diff covers, presumably due to the increased rigidity and uniform contact pressure all the way around the gasket.

 

[56f100bbw]

I tried to buy a lube locker I am kind a remote nobody had it so I use the regular one for now doesn’t leak yet but somebody mentioned the vent and it’s a tiny hole in there and it was plugged up not sure why they didn’t make it bigger .

 

[Action]

d44

I use right stuff for my 9"....no leaks
I got a lube locker for my d44 but haven't finished it yet so no opinion yet...
Jack