Leaking Rear Axle Cover

[Gavin Allan]

I changed the rear axle lube on my wife's Liberty last weekend, but I now see that I have a leak around the axle cover. Anyone have any suggestions?



I cleaned the old RTV off real good with a putty knife on both surfaces. I sprayed down the cover with brake parts cleaner and wiped both surfaces dry. I put a decent sized bead (3/16") of new RTV (silver) on the cover, and bolted it up pretty tightly.



Should I let the RTV cure overnight next time? I filled it up with two quarts of Mobil 1 75w140 and the limited-slip modifier right away last weekend. (yes, I am ticked that I have spent all that money to go down the drain...).



Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Travis Munday]

Why use the silver RTV? I've always used the black stuff on engines and such, with minimal cure time, with no leaking problems.



You could always make your own cork (or rubber) gasket to use in addition to the RTV.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Black RTV is the proper stuff to use. That could be your problem.





Tom

 

[Bill Cooksley]

Also if you put the RTV on the wrong side of the bolt holes it will leak from them. Good luck Bill

 

[EddieS'04]

I have good sucess with the black or gray rtv on rear end covers. I let it set for a couple of hours. I also go around all bolt holes, in case one of them is taped all the way through.

 

[Todd Z]

you also cant put it on wet, It has to slightly skin first otherwise you will squeeze it all out and there will be no seal.. Also a circle around the bolt holes and even a little on the bolt heads them selves assures a leak free seal....



The fluid is not wasted... Just open it back up and catch the fluid in a clean pan and re use it..

They do sell gaskets at the parts stores if you want to use one and put a skin coat on the gasket of grey sillycone or monkey snot!...

Todd Z

 

[Gavin Allan]

I did put circles around the bolt holes too.



I'll pull it apart tomorrow and try again.



This time, I'll use the black. Go for a good sized bead, circle the holes, let it skin, and then let it cure for a couple of hours.



Thanks for the advice.