Paranoid question: RTV in differential

[sa1126]

I finally got the RTV on the diff cover and crawled under the back with about 2" of clearance between my nose and the gas tank and attempted to stick the rear diff cover on. I got it close but maybe a ~1/2" too low when making contact and had to push it up a bit to get the second bolt in. I haven't torque'd the bolts or added fluid yet, but is there any concern that RTV could get inside the differential, or will it cure before it becomes an issue?

BTW RTV smells foul and this whole thing was pretty nerve racking without an extra person. I plan to buy the damn gasket next time.

 

[pagrey]

Put a bead on, slap it up there, torque it down. Forget about the details, if it don't leak it's fine.

 

[T_Hase89]

^Ditto

Side note, I run lube lockers now. Like them too as an alternative.

 

[Halfstock]

Make it easy on yourself, Jack up your jeep under the differential with a floor Jack, until you run out of jack, then put jack stands under the frame just ahead of the rear, lower control arm brackets, let the floor jack down, and your differential cover will be totally exposed and accessible!

 

[pagrey]

I'd do it over if you haven't added oil. You can't wait to torque the bolts, definitely not 15 minutes.

 

[sa1126]

Make it easy on yourself, Jack up your jeep under the differential with a floor Jack, until you run out of jack, then put jack stands under the frame just ahead of the rear, lower control arm brackets, let the floor jack down, and your differential cover will be totally exposed and accessible!

I should have done that but I was concerned about the diff not completely draining and having to lower it, and then where the heck do you put the jack with the diff cover off. Next time...live and learn.

 

[sa1126]

I'd do it over if you haven't added oil. You can't wait to torque the bolts, definitely not 15 minutes.

The rtv said wait an hour before torquing. They are ratchet tight right now.

 

[pagrey]

I should have done that but I was concerned about the diff not completely draining and having to lower it, and then where the heck do you put the jack with the diff cover off. Next time...live and learn.

If it doesn't leak you did good.

Edit: forget that crap, torque down immediately

 

[AndyG]

Right Stuff RTV in the cheese whiz type can is really good.

 

[Rob5589]

Clean surface, lay bead, tighten down cover bolts, fill with oil. No need to wait on any step.

It's doubtful any rtv came loose. If you're that concerned, pull it and start over.

 

[jazngab]

Get the lube locker for your diffs. Definitely worth the money not having to deal with RTV.

 

[chino1969]

If it leaks, re-do it. If not, leave alone. You now have the necessary experience for the next time you do it.

Many use RTV only, some use gaskets and some use a combination of the two. The goal is no leaks.

 

[MutantNinjaTJ]

How often are you in the differential that you need $60 dollars worth of gaskets instead of a $4 tube of RTV?
Just Sayin!

 

[AndyG]

I have done what the Op has done ...be working on something and do something a little off and start worrying that I got something over tight or didn't tighten it enough or left something out

most of the time it never amounted to anything I've even taking things apart when I shouldn't have

It was the times I was sure that I did it right that it bit me in the butt... Because it's what you think you know that you don't that gets you.

 

[sa1126]

So I decided to start over again just for peace of mind, and I did make a mess, and made another mess on the second try but it cleaned up easily. Here are my lessons learned:

1) Jack up the jeep as others have mentioned
2) Make sure to use the valve/nipple on the rtv tube instead of right out of the nozzle
3) When laying the bead of RTV, do your circles around the bolt holes and then do the main ring around the cover
4) Do not spread the rtv! Just leave it as a bead
5) This part depends on if you are right handed or left handed. To put the gasket on, lay on the side of your non-dominant hand ( left side in my case), and support the rtv'd cover in your left hand with a bolt in your right hand. Gently/slowly put the cover on, thread in a bolt and thread in another bolt. This made all the difference then being upside down under the gas tank

I torqued the bolts and will add the fluid tomorrow evening.

I am attaching a pic of last night's rtv mess. Hard to tell but its on the gears, barely.

 

[S.McArthur]

I’ll put the bead down, hand tighten the bolts, wait 45min then torque the bolts. never once had a leak on anything I’ve used RTV on.

 

[Lou]

Clean both surfaces. Sloppily lay a small bead on the cover, smear it around with your finger. Bolt it down. I wouldn’t waste time torquing the cover if your using rtv. Fill it immediately. It’s surprising how many people over think this.

I use lube lockers on my own jeep, I change the gear oil once a year. But I’ve resealed hundreds of differentials with rtv and I’ve never “let it cure before filling” and I’ve never had one leak.

 

[sa1126]

Finished the job tonight. Final lesson leaned: you need a fluid transfer pump, and should tape the diff fluid bottle to something so it doesn't tip over. Good thing my garage has an epoxy floor