My husband installed differential guards on my JK for me. He ended up having to drain the front differential and re-do the gasket, because the original RTV tore a little during the installation. They told us at the dealer just to use RTV to make the gasket, since that's how it comes from the factory. It worked great.

The rear differential was fine, but about three weeks ago I noticed that the rear differential was seeping just a tiny bit. I cleaned it off, degreased it, and then waited a weak to see how much it was seeping. It never dripped on the floor of the garage, but when I placed my fingers under it, I got a little oil on my fingers again. I cleaned it off again, and has not leaked onto the floor, but it continues to just barely seep.

I have two questions: Does the rear Dana 44 diff. take an actual gasket or something other than just RTV? It looks like the gasket material is different in the rear than the front was. Also, we're heading off on a long trip. We were thinking that we would take along one of those Lubelocker dry/reusable gaskets, along with gear oil and limited slip additive, in case a roadside repair becomes necessary. Have any of you used the Lubelocker gaskets? If so, how well do they work?

 

RTV is just fine. Even the factory only uses RTV.

 

The biggest advantage to a gasket is not having to wait for the RTV to set up before you refill the diff. Other then that the RTV would work fine and because the diffs have a drain plug you should not have to remove the cover to change the fluid.

 

I've had good luck using a gasket and this brown stinky stuff made my Permatex. It comes in a little plastic container with a brush built into the cap. Spread it lightly over all the mating surfaces, let it tack off a little and reassemble. Never had any leaks with this method. Did many tranny pans, oil pans, valve covers and diff covers and it always worked good.

 

RTV doesn't need to set up. Put it on, put the diff cover on and fill it up. never had a leak yet.

 

At the risk of angering the necro-mancing gods, I'd like to use this thread to ask the question: should I use a gasket or just RTV on my diffs? Advantages if any to each option?

 

RTV is working fine on my diffs and auto transmission pan.

A gasket can compress under the bolt heads, deforming the cover or pan. It doesn't always happen but I've seen it.
It won't happen with RTV.

 

The lubelocker gaskets work great. They are easier to install and cleaner than RTV IMO although the RTV will work just fine. To the OP, if you have a Rubicon, you don't need limited slip additive.

 

I just replaced my front cover and am doin an arb rear soon too, but both my d44s had just rtv but I installed a paper gasket WITH rtv alsoIt's just an El cheapo gasket from any parts store but it works like a charm! U can see it sitting under the jeep in the pic

 

I use "The Right Stuff" by permatex. It comes in a can with a trigger to dispense. Pricey but works..period. Never had a leak on anything that I've used it on.