Quick differential gasket help

[Zorba]

Ok, so I got a used ARB diff cover, and it came with a used Lube Locker gasket. Short version: Its leaking. Do I:

1) Replace the Lube Locker with a new one?
2) Replace the Lube Locker with a Felpro or similar?
3) Use the existing Lube Locker with some Permatex?
4) Use RTV?

I really don't want to do #4 (RTV), I'd love to do #3, but I'm asking! There are machining marks on the differential mating flange, although nothing that would catch a fingernail (that I found, at least).

FWIW, I've always used conventional gaskets with Permatex and never had a problem...

 

[Mobusaki]

Is the lube locker new or used? If used, did you clean it before reusing it? Are the red lines on it all still continuous?

If it's new and still leaking, you can try smoothing out differential mating surfaces and reusing the lube locker, otherwise I vote for RTV.

If it's only leaking because it is used and a cleaning won't do the trick, then I vote for a new lube locker. I love those things! I've reused one 5 times before without leaks.

 

[Fonz54]

Found this thread on another forum.

https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/lubelocker-gasket-leak-won-t-stop-897884/

 

[hosejockey61]

New Lubelocker. Make sure there isn't anything on your mating surfaces.

 

[Zorba]

Ok, you guys convinced me. New one on its way - $15/shipped

 

[Mobusaki]

Great choice. It's a luxury item I guess but it is SO nice not having to scrape and scrub the diff housing and cover endlessly anymore.

 

[Fonz54]

New Lubelocker. Make sure there isn't anything on your mating surfaces.

What is the best way to clean the cover and diff housing mounting surface? Would emery cloth be good?

 

[Ephry73]

I find that the Chinese Amazon copies are not as long lasting as the "real" units. I write real in quotes, because one never knows.

Making sure the making surfaces are smooth as possible without kinks is a must. I installed lube-lockers in the front and "real" ones in the rear. So far no issues. Rear torqued by hand/feel, fronts torqued with wrench and busted a lower bolt's head off. Still missing that bolt and thus far no leaks.

 

[Mobusaki]

The least abrasive thing that works. A plastic putty knife + brake cleaner works and won't damage the surface.

 

[Zorba]

Hmmmm, I didn't know Amazon was selling counterfeit Lube Lockers - I got mine elsewhere, hopefully its genuine! @Ephry73: I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't get a torque wrench onto the rear bolts - I used a 3/8" ratchet on the bottom, and an ordinary "L" shaped Allen wrench on the top, torqued them down as snug as I could with these shorter wrenches without going postal on them.

The used Lube Locker *did* have a kink in it that I straightened out - maybe not such a good idea in retrospect!

 

[Ephry73]

Hmmmm, I didn't know Amazon was selling counterfeit Lube Lockers - I got mine elsewhere, hopefully its genuine! @Ephry73: I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't get a torque wrench onto the rear bolts - I used a 3/8" ratchet on the bottom, and an ordinary "L" shaped Allen wrench on the top, torqued them down as snug as I could with these shorter wrenches without going postal on them.

The used Lube Locker *did* have a kink in it that I straightened out - maybe not such a good idea in retrospect!

I only say that there may be some counterfeit ones, because the lubelocker I got from ebay was a real and came with all of the packaging and even a sticker. The one from amazon came in a no name brand package, no sticker and the "red" was a bit darker than the one from eBay. Still works well, so can't complaint, but we all know amazon is not really checking much when it comes to sales.

 

[Mr. Bills]

Ok, you guys convinced me. New one on its way - $15/shipped

I'm too late to this discussion.

I've never been a particular fan of Lube Locker gaskets. I understand the concept of convenience and re-use, but I have never had my diff covers off frequently enough to justify the cost since my differentials have drain plugs for routine maintenance.

I use this, easy to apply and no wait time:

 

[bobthetj03]

There is no reason to use anything heavier than a 1/4" drive ratchet when loosening/tightening diff cover bolts.

 

[hosejockey61]

I'm too late to this discussion.

I've never been a particular fan of Lube Locker gaskets. I understand the concept of convenience and re-use, but I have never had my diff covers off frequently enough to justify the cost since my differentials have drain plugs for routine maintenance.

I use this, easy to apply and no wait time:

View attachment 171720

That IS good stuff, BUT who really enjoys scraping stuff off the housing and diff cover? Lubelocker are too inexpensive to not use simply for that matter IMHO.

 

[Mr. Bills]

. . . who really enjoys scraping stuff off the housing and diff cover?

Its just part of the zen of vehicle maintenance. Whether I enjoy it is my choice

 

[Jamison C]

Maybe it’s just me, but I lightly hit the surfaces with a wire wheel with thin wires and it takes the RTV right off. Never had any leak issues using gaskets.

 

[Zorba]

I used some 400 grit sandpaper and lightly hit the flange with it. Goddess only knows where that used lube locker has been - hopefully the new one will fix this. Thankfully, the cover has a drain plug (which is why I installed it in the first place), so I can recover the new oil easily.

 

[zebra12]

Interesting, I bought a couple of lubelockers of amazon. The packaging was sketchy, they were kinked, probably are counterfeit, but no leaks after 2 weeks.

If you like removing RTV, imho you are a masochist.

 

[Zorba]

I *may* have gone off half cocked on this. No more leaking oil seems to be apparent at the moment. I thought I wiped things down good, but maybe not. I'll keep an eye on it and see...