QD-I Question

[Matt]

So for people like me who have not used RTV in the cover... About how long are we waiting to seal it... Eould you recommend applying the RTV and then hand torqueing the bolts... Etc

They spell it out pretty well on the back of the RTV package... but it basically goes like this (and FYI, im not a fan of RTV for sealing... but when used 'properly' i havent seen any issues):

1) Both surfaces must be clean/dry
2) Apply RTV to cover, 1/8-1/4" bead size, and around all bolt holes
3) Put cover on within 5 minutes (the sooner the better so it starts bonding with BOTH surfaces)
4) HAND tighten bolts JUST enough to see the RTV squeezing out around the perimeter
5) Wait at least an hour, then turn bolts another 1/4-1/2 rotation

For step 5 I usually wait a few hours, or overnight if possible, and then torque the bolts to spec (which usually is close to 1/2 rotation).

[AJeepZJ]

So when you change ur stuff ur not really putting fluid in it for a couple hours or the next day

[Matt]

Exactly. I either do my diff first then do oil change/rotation/drink beer/etc, or I do it all in the evening and first thing in the morning I'll torque the bolts and then fill it up.

[07JeepXK]

I have replaced the rear differential fluid in my XK about 10 times now and have always used RTV. I clean the differential cover and the differential housing. I apply an even bead all the way around the differential housing and put the cover right on. I torque the bolts by hand, I dont need a torque wrench for those bolts to know how tight they need to be. Then within an hour I fill it with new gear oil. I have never once had a leak nor have I had any issues using rtv. If done right rtv is better then a regular gasket.

[Matt]

10 times in a 2007? Well yeah if you take the cover off and reapply more than once a year you'll never have RTV problems since they usually take some more time to develop.

[07JeepXK]

10 times in a 2007? Well yeah if you take the cover off and reapply more than once a year you'll never have RTV problems since they usually take some more time to develop.

Yeah I have receipts for 10 different times I swapped out the fluid and just hit 105,000 miles. I just did the 10th fluid swap a little over a month ago when I replaced the rear wheel bearing/hub assembly and axle seals . I dont know if you remember but back in 2009 literally a month after I did a fluid swap i sunk the rear end of the jeep in a creek up past the breather tube. Had to replace the charcoal canister due to it being filled with water and also has to drain the gas tank. So that was an unexpected fluid swap. Also I think when I got back from one of the trips to Rausch Creek i swapped the fluid cause we played in a lot of water holes. I usually change the diff fluid every 15,000 miles. If I recall correctly thats the maintenance schedule.

[AJeepZJ]

Thats crazy... You've probably easily spent in fluids what I spend in gas in nearly 10 months. Excluding road trips., haha.

[madrock]

I ended up doing the rear differential last evening. I really wish there were separate drain/fill holes. Having to get a pump to drain and another pump to fill was a PITA.

I ended up going with Royal Purple 75w140. The stores near me were all out of Mobil 1 75w140, and I couldn't get a hold of the Amsoil reseller near me. And of course, after I bought the Royal Purple, I found it cheaper online with free shipping:

http://www.americanmuscle.com/royalp...0-gearoil.html

I just had to register my phantom Mustang

[07JeepXK]

Thats crazy... You've probably easily spent in fluids what I spend in gas in nearly 10 months. Excluding road trips., haha.

You must get some crazy gas mileage!

[criket]

You must get some crazy gas mileage!

AJ's gas mileage is sooo good, that he has to change out the gas in the fuel tank at every oil change to keep it from breaking down.