How to keep rear axle from leaking after oil change
08-14-2006, 08:19 AM
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How to keep rear axle from leaking after oil change
The last time i changed the differential fluid on my 01, the seal wasn't good enough and there was oil weeping at the bottom.
I have some Amsoil and would like to change it but am worried this too will leak.
The last time I used blue Permatex and ran a bead around the bolt holes then another bead 1/8" lower. I read to let it dry for 30 minutes, then assemble the cover. Maybe that's where I went wrong. Maybe I should have assembled it wet?
How do you guys do it?
I have some Amsoil and would like to change it but am worried this too will leak.
The last time I used blue Permatex and ran a bead around the bolt holes then another bead 1/8" lower. I read to let it dry for 30 minutes, then assemble the cover. Maybe that's where I went wrong. Maybe I should have assembled it wet?
How do you guys do it?
08-14-2006, 08:30 AM
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When I had my '99 and changed out the diffs I used the blue permatex also. I didn't run beads of it though. Well, I did run beads, but I smoothed them out with my finger all the way around. I then let it set and put the covers back on. I also cleaned/scraped off the metal surfaces on the diff and cover and then acetoned where the permatex would be. No leaks for me!!! Hope this helps! 
08-14-2006, 08:37 AM
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The way I did it, was I let the sealant set for about ten minutes, then installed it. I also scrubbed the surfaces and cleaned them with a solvent. No Leaky here either.
08-14-2006, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by jon05ctd
The last time i changed the differential fluid on my 01, the seal wasn't good enough and there was oil weeping at the bottom.
I have some Amsoil and would like to change it but am worried this too will leak.
The last time I used blue Permatex and ran a bead around the bolt holes then another bead 1/8" lower. I read to let it dry for 30 minutes, then assemble the cover. Maybe that's where I went wrong. Maybe I should have assembled it wet?
How do you guys do it?
I have some Amsoil and would like to change it but am worried this too will leak.
The last time I used blue Permatex and ran a bead around the bolt holes then another bead 1/8" lower. I read to let it dry for 30 minutes, then assemble the cover. Maybe that's where I went wrong. Maybe I should have assembled it wet?
How do you guys do it?
J
08-14-2006, 02:17 PM
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Just so I am straight on this (because I will be going synthetic soon):
To change the rear diff. fluid; you remove the cover, let the fluid drain out, clean and reinstall the gasket, reinstall the cover, add new fluid, and then walk away happy.
To change the rear diff. fluid; you remove the cover, let the fluid drain out, clean and reinstall the gasket, reinstall the cover, add new fluid, and then walk away happy.
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08-14-2006, 02:24 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by Donut Gestapo
Just so I am straight on this (because I will be going synthetic soon):
To change the rear diff. fluid; you remove the cover, let the fluid drain out, clean and reinstall the gasket, reinstall the cover, add new fluid, and then walk away happy.
To change the rear diff. fluid; you remove the cover, let the fluid drain out, clean and reinstall the gasket, reinstall the cover, add new fluid, and then walk away happy.
You got it!
I like to spray around in the diff with brake cleaner which will evaporate real quickly. And, for bling....you could add a Mag Hytec rear diff cover with an O-ring to seal and get rid of the stock pan and rubber gasket.
08-15-2006, 11:10 AM
#10
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To change the rear diff. fluid; you remove the cover, let the fluid drain out, clean and reinstall the gasket, reinstall the cover, add new fluid, and then walk away happy.
I did my first change with no problems, using a torque wrench to make sure not to get them overtightened, and since everything went fine I figured I would never have a problem.
The second time I changed, though, one of the bolts broke off, and it never got close to reaching the specified torque before it snapped.
The book specifies 24 ft/lbs fill plug, and 30 for cover bolts, but next time I think I will go like 25 on the cover bolts so I can leave my easy-out set in the tool box...
08-15-2006, 12:21 PM
#12
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I would guess until it crumbles or cracks, which I would guess would be a bunch of uses.
I think most of the dealers just suck the old oil out, but I kind of like to eyeball the contact pattern and so forth as long as I'm messing with it.
I think most of the dealers just suck the old oil out, but I kind of like to eyeball the contact pattern and so forth as long as I'm messing with it.
08-15-2006, 01:43 PM
#13
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Not that I'm a fan of throwing money away, just to be able to change gear oil....
There have been a few threads about Mag Hytec or PML diff covers. 3 advantages to the Mag-Hytec covers:
1) If you fill to the middle of the dipstick range, you will have oil down the axle tube, with more oil lubricating the bearings and seals.
2) You have a disptick to check oil level
3) All surfaces (even the diff face) are o-ringed; NO SEALANT used or required!
The most important:
4) Maintenance is a BREEZE...I can change gear oil in about the same time it takes to change the engine oil!
I have personal experience with the Mag-Hytec covers: They are great in every way. I have no experience withthe PML covers.
HTH
Tony
There have been a few threads about Mag Hytec or PML diff covers. 3 advantages to the Mag-Hytec covers:
1) If you fill to the middle of the dipstick range, you will have oil down the axle tube, with more oil lubricating the bearings and seals.
2) You have a disptick to check oil level
3) All surfaces (even the diff face) are o-ringed; NO SEALANT used or required!
The most important:
4) Maintenance is a BREEZE...I can change gear oil in about the same time it takes to change the engine oil!
I have personal experience with the Mag-Hytec covers: They are great in every way. I have no experience withthe PML covers.
HTH
Tony
08-15-2006, 02:56 PM
#14
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how many miles are you guys racking up to change the oil so regularly? I have never done it once and I have 56k miles in only 18 months of ownership. Should this be something I really need to tend to?
08-15-2006, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 2-Stroke
how many miles are you guys racking up to change the oil so regularly? I have never done it once and I have 56k miles in only 18 months of ownership. Should this be something I really need to tend to?
Jon