Does the rear diff cover call for a paper gasket?
Auto Zone said yes and sold me something that definitely is not for the axle on my D.
I didn't think it needed one but bought it anyway.
Anyway when cleaning up the surfaces I didn't see anything that looked like paper gasket.
So bottom line question is - if you are using Ultra Copper do you need a paper gasket?
I hit both the cover and the axle housing with it - let it setup for a few and put the cover on. I figured I would let it setup over night since I lost light anyway and didn't want to put the stank *** gear lube in if I was going to have to R&R the cover again.

01 D with a 4.7 - 4X4
Does not have the tow package.

By the way - gears were absolutely beautiful at 156K!

 

To my knowledge the rear end has never used a paper gasket. Just buy a tube of RTV silicone and glob it on there generously. No need for a paper gasket...

 

Thanks Widow - I used Ultra copper - fairly heavy.
I've used that stuff on snowmobile exhaust for years and saw someone else say they used on the cover too. Just wasn't sure if the paper gasket was necessary.
I was amazed how good the gears looked in the diff. Sleds aren't that heavy but have been towing them since I bought it in 01. Also - I love my V8 and am pretty harsh on the drive line!

 

Yep I just changed my gear lube and it looked amazing for 134k miles on the clock. Looked better than some of the newer Jeep rear end gears I see come in on a regular basis. Remember the book calls for the fluid to be replaced every 12,000 miles (both Schedule A and B)!

 

Dude - I should be put down like a dog that wont hunt. Every 12K?
It has been at least 30K. I try to stay on top of the life blood but I was way off on the diff service if it is every 12k! That truck is amazing when it comes down to it - other than the gas mileage.
The power. the torque, that fact that it is a MOPAR!

 

That's alright... That's about what I go between rear diff changes too. But yes the book does call for every 12k miles to change it. I'm sure the rules are different if you're using Royal Purple or Mobil 1 gear lubes.

 

Sad to say this is the first time I have done the rear diff myself - always been serviced at the dealer.
I saw Sharp say to use Mobil 1 full syn so that is what I bought + friction modifier.
I need to get a little piece of bar stock welded onto my spare lowering threaded rod. The *****' at Firestone broke off the pin so I can't lower it which would have made getting at the top 4 bolts a bit easier.
Anyway - always a good feeling to get it doen yourself and save a few bucks - not to mention gaining bthe knowledge.

 

No paper gasket. I use Permatex RTV Copper.

The fully synthetic lubricant should be replaced at 30k intervals, and I would replace at 15k if conventional oil is used and heavy duty use, 30k if just hwy use on conventional, again 30k on fully synthetic. If deep water driving is done then replace the fluid after your safari! The manual states 60k but I would not go that far and instead use 30k and 15k intervals.

I just use Mobil One Fully Synthetic LS 75W-90 and swap at 30k intervals regardless, but I don't baha in water and lots of dust either.

 

Hydra - maybe it was your post that I was reading before about the copper RTV.
I did purchase the Mobil 1 full syn and the modifier.
A question? Does the front diff need to be changed on the same interval?
Rarely do I put i tin 4WD in the summer and only occasionally in the winter.

 

The front diff still turns the entire time, so yes do them at the same time, but concerting that they mainly only turn I would do them at the 30k intervals with fully synthetic or convential. Now you could say you don't need fully synthetic in the front diff because they are only turning, but I use it anyway. Regardless, I always just plan on doing mine at 30k and both the front and rear and write it down with fluid type and weights. I don't like to think (did I do the change last time?) or any of that, I just get-r-done!