Ye Ol' Cherokee

Alright so I think ill be good with that then.

Last thought...
Does it matter if i don't use RTV, and just use a gasket instead? The gasket is a dollar or two, and i feel like that would be easier than just using messy RTV (Messy for me at least)

Also..

Gear oil 75w-90, or 80w-90? or something else? its a 98 not sure if that matters

salad

Paper gaskets on these diffs generally suck and need a thin layer of RTV anyway. They're very sensitive to deformations in the differential cover. That or buy a reusable gasket like a Lube Locker.

75w90 synthetic will give you the best results for a daily driver, 80w90 conventional if you take your Jeep swimming and need to change the fluid often, 75w140 synthetic if you do a lot of towing or offroad.

Ye Ol' Cherokee

So I checked out lube lockers, and they are way out of my price range for a gasket...

Should I just use RTV or use it along with the felpro paper gasket? Im just concerned that the RTV alone might leak, leaving me with a burnt out axle

Thanks for all the details

Rogue4x4

Just use the black (safe for diff fluid) RTV...paper gaskets are more trouble than they're worth, IMHO...once you do this job and see how easy it is, you won't worry about having to do it again, I always use the RTV without issue. Diff fluid is one of the most overlooked fluid changes with any vehicle, people don't seem to give a second thought to it. It is super easy to do, and if you offroad at all, you should be checking and replacing it on a regular basis anywho. Stop stressing on it and just do it! LOL...The nice thing about LL gaskets is they are reusable, which is why they command a higher price. If you plan on servicing your diffs regularly in the future, it isn't a bad investment, I've just never used 'em because RTV is cheap and easy enough to do, yeah, you need to clean it when you remove the cover each time, but I don't see the big deal on that. Guess I'm old school on that thought...

NCsXJ

hey just subscribe to this guy and follow the vid

NCsXJ

YouTube works wonders

Ianf406

I agree with the above... Black RTV is cheap/easy and waaaay better than a paper gasket. I just run a small bead on the center both surfaces. Push them together and it'll spread to cover the rest when tightened.

JWheeler

Yep, forget a paper gasket. Use rtv. I have done probably 1000 of them and have never had one leak. Just make sure both sealing surfaces are clean and dry. It had rtv on it from the factory. You will probably get multiple responses on what rtv to use. There was an old tsb, that I can't seem to find, that says Dana axles should get grey rtv. But I have no idea if mopar grey and permatex grey that you can get at the parts store are the same thing.

scottmphoto

When you use the RTV, I always give it some time to "cure" before I refill the diff woth oil.

Ianf406

Permatex black worked many years for me till getting a lube locker.

GAPANDA

Well maybe it's just me..but if your gonna wheel it, mud it, dunk the rear via a water crossing, pull your boat/jet ski whatever. REALLY use it. The $$ Lube Locker will pay for itself on the very next ( and maybe sooner than you think ) fluid change. Don't eat at the hamburger place twice. Pack your lunch and you've covered the cost and the next time it will take you all of 5 mins to to do this little task. Just say'n.

CrawdadSlim

You don't use rtv on a paper gasket. You use permatex high tack. They don't suck. Rtv is used by automakers because it is cheaper, not better. If you don't know how to properly prep and install a paper gasket then by all means use rtv.

skife

this is the only thing i'll use to make diff cover gaskets, if the surface is clean the pinion seal and drain plug will leak before the cover does.

DieselDaze

please do a full detailed write up afterward....

I'm very interested to see how it compares to bimmers material, just for argument sake...

thanks

JWheeler

lol. Pleas tell me he has done a "how-to" on servicing a differential. I'm sure that is a good read.