Hi All,
I have a 2000 Dakota 4.7 liter, 5 spd stick, 2WD, 9-1/4inch 12 bolt rear axle with 3.92 gears, factory stock "Anti-Spin".
Truck has 144,000 miles on it and I don't think the axle oil has ever been changed.
I need to drain the rear axle oil and posi-additive. Mine is making that weird scraping sound when I make a tight turn.
I have found links that show I need 2.3 quarts of 75W90, GL-5 oil plus 5ounces of Posi additive and that the torque on the
cover bolts is 30 to 35 ft-pounds. Anyone see any errors there ?
My main question is some recommend.leaving out the cover gasket and using a good RTV bead to form the gasket using the 30 ft-pound torque..
Has anyone had issues with getting a new gasket and using that instead ? If so, what brand of gasket works best ?
Rear does not leak now, I just want that to be the same after I open it up.
Thanks.......

 

I've never used gaskets on diff covers. Put a bead of RTV on there, let it skin over for five minutes or so, bolt the cover in place.

 

I use the gasket. Pretty cheap and never leaks. I hate crawling under there having to clean off old RTV next time around.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...rm=RDS%2055073

 

Yeah Dodgevity,
I agree old RTV is a pain to get off especially since most people put too much on. Do you use any gasket dressing on the gasket or just put it on "dry" ?

 

I use a thin coat of black Permatex on the gasket. It helps to keep it in place while I mount the cover.

That said, I've got an open diff and the fluid's been pretty clean. Next time I might just stick a tube down the fill hole and pump it out, vs having to pull the cover. Would have been nice if Dodge put a drain bung on the damn thing...but what am I saying? They didn't even put one on the transmission pan.

 

If you go this route be sure to use an RTV compound approved for use with rear end grease. In the past I have seen people using the blue stuff and that always ends up leaking.

 

I have done both //but if there is a gasket available, I much prefer that. The 9-1/4 has been around since about 1974 so gaskets for them should be readily available

 

I use the Lube Locker gaskets on all of my vehicles since they are reusable, however there is nothing wrong with regular RTV, I lie permatex ultra black.

 

I ended up using a Fel-Pro paper gasket. Only an $8 part. I didn't even coat it with anything.
So far, no leaks. Torqued bolts to 30 foot-pounds.
There was some particles in there that came out with the oil.
Hardest part was getting the damn old RTV off the housing and the cover.
Looked like it could have been RTV'ed from the factory.
It helped using an old kitchen sink, non-abrasive scrub pad to get the old goo off.

 

I have a parts washer, and a bench grinder with a brass wire brush out in the garage, for just suck an occasion.