Rear Diff Cover Replacement

[brewsky]

Getting ready to replace the cover, and found a flat donut magnet washer in the box. (metal NAPA replacement cover from Balkamp)
Where does it go?

 

[RollinWOT]

drain plug?

 

[scotts90ranger]

I imagne it's just supposed to stick to the cover... it'll attract the metal particles in the oil and keep it out of the oil

 

[wahlstrom1]

I imagne it's just supposed to stick to the cover... it'll attract the metal particles in the oil and keep it out of the oil

This! A lot of vehicles with drain plugs run magnetic plugs, but those that dont have plugs should have some sort of magnet in the lower part of the diff for just the reason mentioned. It lessens wear on both gears and bearings and it any chunk of gear tooth does break off, all hope is it will get stuck there before it causes further damage.

 

[brewsky]

Thanks for the replies!
There is no drain plug and the magnet seems too weak to me to trust it being in there without the risk of coming loose.
Not even sure it will hold itself to the referigerator!
Haven't removed the old cover yet to see if there is already one in there.

 

[scotts90ranger]

if it's one of the composite covers, there's a magnet in the bottom, the stock fill plug also has a magnet in it.

 

[brewsky]

It has the stock plastic cover on there now....cracked at a bolt hole.
Just got it back from local shop for tires and fluid change and I think they must have over-torqued it.....didn't leak before.
The replacement cover also came with a gasket, but most seem to use RTV, so I guess that's what I'll go with.

 

[hondaxr650]

Those plastic covers are easy to crack when prying them off, you're not supposed to re-use them. Definitely use rtv to seal it. I've never seen one with a gasket on it that didn't leak.

 

[brewsky]

Thanks again guys for the replies....I haven't wrenched on cars or trucks for years.
I don't think RTV was even invented when I did.

I've been working on motorcycles for several years, but have avoided the stuff like the plague...but I guess it's time to learn.
There's just something about red or blue stuff oozing out of the edges of a sidecover that doesn't look right.

Some say to smear it on and immediately torque it down, others say bead it on, finger tighten the bolts, wait an hour, then go another 1/4 - 1/2 turn?

 

[strvger]

i use the Permatex "black" silicone adhesive sealant. works great and never had any leaks (knock on wood!). and i've used it on other materials besides steel like plastics, aluminum, etc. with equally good results.

 

[4x4junkie]

I just lay a bead, then torque it down. Haven't had any issues.

Yeah find another magnet if that one is weak, you want a good strong magnet inside there (I used rare-earth (neodymium) magnets in mine). RTV can be used to further secure the magnet to the cover if desired.

 

[brewsky]

That's what I used....1/4" bead, finger tightened the bolts, waited an hour and finished torquing.....about 1/2 more turn or so till they felt equal.

Going to let it cure overnite before adding oil.

There was a magnet built in to the original cover as well as the fill plug, but no metal on either, not even any metal fuzz. Nothing in the bottom of the housing either.

Elected to leave out the magnetic washer.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've never waited for RTV to set up....lay a bead, tighten down with air ratchet, fill with oil and out the door.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Yup, me too.... Apply, install, torque and fill.

 

[brewsky]

Whatever the shop method was, it didn't work.....I suspect it was the air gun method.
When I took it back, they told me the cover was cracked in 2 places at the bolt holes and that's why it was leaking.
They tried to fix it by smearing some RTV over the bolt areas!!!
Said if that didn't fix it to bring it back and they would put another cover on it.
I figured if they couldn't put the first one on without leaking, why should I believe they could do any better on the second?
Haven't been able to find any cracks in the old housing yet, but haven't scraped all the old goop of yet.
So I went to the DIY method.
Will know if it's any better shortly.