First Time Differential Oil Change

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

Bare with me. I fiddle around a bit but this is my first diff change. I am fairly capable and not afraid to try but it's the little things that I worry about.
Had some concerns and questions.
First, getting that silicone seal off was just painful. I would say I got 98% of it. Left some very thin, small spots. Will this cause issues later?
Second, when I created the new gasket, I waited 5-8 minutes before mounting the cover. When I tried lining up the cover and bolt holes, I smudged the line up. Had to manoeuvre it around a bit. Will this cause it to not create a decent seal?
Lastly, the RTV seal I used suggested a 1 hour wait before torquing to spec and then 24hrs before refilling. Is this standard?
Like I said, little things, but they all add up.
Thanks.

JayKay · Jul 2, 2015

May I ask why you pulled the cover?

wayoflife · Jul 2, 2015

Mr.Mango said:
First, getting that silicone seal off was just painful. I would say I got 98% of it. Left some very thin, small spots. Will this cause issues later?

No, you should be fine.

Second, when I created the new gasket, I waited 5-8 minutes before mounting the cover. When I tried lining up the cover and bolt holes, I smudged the line up. Had to manoeuvre it around a bit. Will this cause it to not create a decent seal?

Probably not. So long as you kept the cover pushed up against the housing while you were maneuvering it around, you should be fine.

Lastly, the RTV seal I used suggested a 1 hour wait before torquing to spec and then 24hrs before refilling. Is this standard?

Depends on the RTV you used. If that's what it recommends, you might want to follow their directions.

wayoflife · Jul 2, 2015

JeepKeeper said:
May I ask why you pulled the cover?

Not a bad idea to pull the cover if you've re-geared as it'll give you a chance to inspect the gears.

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

JeepKeeper said:
May I ask why you pulled the cover?

I just got my Jeep re-geared to 4:88 and it had a leak from the front diff. Shop where I got done, took a very long time and is 3 hrs away. I was not going back.

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

wayoflife said:
No, you should be fine.

Probably not. So long as you kept the cover pushed up against the housing while you were maneuvering it around, you should be fine.

Depends on the RTV you used. If that's what it recommends, you might want to follow their directions.

Thanks. Guess I will find out tomorrow if I will be doing it again. Least I will get more experience doing it.

egralia · Jul 2, 2015

When I did my diff fluid change I took the cover off to inspect the gears. Good thing I did it because one of the shims back out.

crippledpetey · Jul 2, 2015

egralia said:
When I did my diff fluid change I took the cover off to inspect the gears. Good thing I did it because one of the shims back out.

Same thing happened to me. It was loose in there but nothing happened

JayKay · Jul 2, 2015

wayoflife said:
Not a bad idea to pull the cover if you've re-geared as it'll give you a chance to inspect the gears.

Ahh, didn't know he regeared. Thought it was just routine maintenance.

wayoflife · Jul 2, 2015

JeepKeeper said:
Ahh, didn't know he regeared. Thought it was just routine maintenance.

In all fairness, neither did I but took a guess.

JayKay · Jul 2, 2015

wayoflife said:
In all fairness, neither did I but took a guess.

Ok, I thought maybe the drain plug on the bottom of the diff was overlooked

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

JeepKeeper said:
Ok, I thought maybe the drain plug on the bottom of the diff was overlooked

Just once I wish I could be that lucky.

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

So, diff seal seems ok, so a win for me.
Leak is still present. Seems to be running down from where the drive shaft enters. Just learning the terms, so be patient. Included a pic.

wayoflife · Jul 2, 2015

Mr.Mango said:
So, diff seal seems ok, so a win for me.
Leak is still present. Seems to be running down from where the drive shaft enters. Just learning the terms, so be patient. Included a pic.

Looks like a pinion seal leak to me. Being that you just had new gears installed, I would say this was caused by installer error. I know you said it was a drive but, it might be worth it to have them take care of this under warranty.

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

I am guessing that this would be way out of my comfort level then? I will likely take it to a local shop and eat the cost. Unfortunately, taking it back to this shop will likely require me to leave it with them and after my last experience, I will not do this. How much shop time would this be?

wayoflife · Jul 2, 2015

Mr.Mango said:
I am guessing that this would be way out of my comfort level then? I will likely take it to a local shop and eat the cost. Unfortunately, taking it back to this shop will likely require me to leave it with them and after my last experience, I will not do this. How much shop time would this be?

Well, in order to replace the inner seal, you would need to pull your carrier. Getting it back together again and right might be out of your comfort zone.

Mr.Mango · Jul 2, 2015

Kind of what I thought. No worries. What's a few more bucks at her.
Thank you very much for the straight answers. Love this site.

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