Dropping Rear DIff in S13...

[uvamosk]

I have to drop the Rear Diff in my 240sx and fix the leak that formed at the cover meets the housing.

2 questions

1.) Can I drop the diff with out having to take out the axles? Can I just unbolt them from the diff and drop it? I can't remember if when I put it in if I had the axles already installed or if i put them in after the diff was already bolted in.

2.) What is the best thing to do to keep it from leaking again? I used silicone gasket and it started leaking...! The stuff never seems to seal for me. I used it on Honda's and other Nissan stuff and it always leaks.

Any thoughts as to why, am I not using enough or to much or is it to thin or to thick?

I bought a gasket from autozone for the diff but should I use it?

Thank you guys for help ...

side note, I had to put new sealant on it because I swapped to a 300zx NA diff for the LSD. When I swapped covers I had to put a sealant on there and I used silicone.

[midnightouge]

You do not have to remove the axles, once you remove the 6 12mm bolts on each side you just pop out the notch

As for the gasket, I also used an autozone gasket and i have no leaks from the diff cover. Just make sure its bolted tight.

[uvamosk]

HEHE, I have 5 bolt star axles... ^_^ since I have 300zx LSD so it should be even easier.. I do remember there is nothing sticking out of them they are flat on the top no notch to deal with...

Thank you for help I'll drop it monday... ^_^

[midnightouge]

Sorry, i guess i rushed and didn't read that part.

[willywong]

no need to remove axles.

and i use oem gasket without silicone

[si1via]

yeah use gasket and not just silicone(ie liquid gasket).

@midnighttouge when u tell him to tighten it tight....that doesn't help him from not leaking....it just makes prone to him cracking the soft aluminum cover. So, please tighten according to torque specs. The gasket itself is what prevents leaks.

[vancouverbc]

are you using high temperature silicone? i've used it on water pump and thermostat and valve cover with no problems. i didnt use a gasket.

[89twoforty]

I've used high heat liquid gasket maker on diffs before, never had a problem. Last time I remember doing it was my buddys Jeep, it's been fine for well over 8 months.

[godzilla34]

if you use the liquid gasket or rtv. just be sure to apply it in a good line all around the housing. place the cover on and lightly snug it let the rtv have time to set a bit, 15-30 mins then trq to settings. never leaks when i do it that way.

[240marcuSX]

yeah, unbolt from axles, use floor jack to lower it down, fill up with gear oil while its out of the car, use autozone gasket, lift back into car, drink beer and eat steak.

[willywong]

yeah use gasket and not just silicone(ie liquid gasket).

@midnighttouge when u tell him to tighten it tight....that doesn't help him from not leaking....it just makes prone to him cracking the soft aluminum cover. So, please tighten according to torque specs. The gasket itself is what prevents leaks.

over tightening can compress the gasket and damage it causing it to leak again. use torque specs.

[Cone Junky]

I've re-used my old gasket twice by just using Mopar Axle RTV. It's made specifically for this application, so it works well.

[JDMS13420]

yeah, unbolt from axles, use floor jack to lower it down, fill up with gear oil while its out of the car, use autozone gasket, lift back into car, drink beer and eat steak.

I Concur