Hey guys, with my trucking coming up on 50k and the weather getting nicer I'm going to start getting some regular maintenance items taken care of.

For my differentials I would like to remove the covers to inspect the inside of just draining them. Should I get replacement gaskets, are the old ones sturdy enough to use, and either way should I use something in addition to the gaskets too like Permatex RTV?

 

well I would say if your not having any issues now, then why take em off, but check to see how much gaskets are from the dealer, and I use yamabond 4 to build gaskets, you can get it at any yamaha motorcycle dealership, good luck

 

I'm with 2wheelmonster. At 50K, there is no routine reason to open the diffs. If you are really paranoid, take a good look at the drained fluid. Run it through a filter or fine strainer and see what particulates come out. If there is a significant amount of metal shavings, then maybe it's worth pulling the cover. BTW, some small amount of shavings is probably normal.

 

I know its not totally necessary to pull the covers, with but with over vehicles I used to make it a habit to wipe down any reachable surface with a clean rag or towel, no detergent or cleaner, on other vehicles I've owned.

I've seen the oil get gunky and make a film or skin on some of the surfaces but you're right, at 50k that's probably highly unlikely.

 

I'm sure that is true however I've developed the same habit and I like to make sure all the old oil and gunk is cleaned out and the gasket is only about 10 buck's. And a peace of mind priceless!

 

I agree! 50K is when I will change my diff adn tcase fluids for the second time. I wheel a lot and I like to get inside, wipe things down and do a visual inspection of entire assembly. $200 for synthetic fluids and good gaskets every 25K puts my mind at ease when my family is driving and when I am on the trail.

 

Hey tainter, did you ever get that PM I shot you with suspension question?

 

yeah I would pickup a new gasket if it's under 15.00 I usually use permatex the black stuff, for oil. Just let it set up over night and re-torque the bolts in the morning and refill. Obviously if you don't have time than just let it set for a hour or two, then refill.. I just like to be extra cautious as I hate leaks!!

 

since you still have your OEM GM Warranty 5year/100K Powertrain I would stick with the OEM gasket. "IF" something does happen and you need warranty service on your diff/diffs it's a good idea to stick with what GM considers "factory" as opposed to the RTV stuff GM dosen't like.

Just my $0.02 as an 08 H3-A and 09 H3T owner who still has the 5/100 warranty like you do.

 

good point! Just wanted to point out that GM often says to use RTV in there service manuals just under a different part number. You can pay twice as much for the GM part number stuff if you wish!

that being said Tainter has obviously done this before so maybe your application they say just to use the gasket, in which case that's what you should do.

I guess if your trucks never been serviced before, you will clearly see how it was when you take the cover off, than just duplicate how it was, with either gasket and rtv, or just the gasket.

Oh and if you do use RTV use it sparingly nothing worse than looking up under a truck and seeing it all oozed out and over have the diff with rtv finger prints!! Definitely a dead give away to a amateur