Can't get diff cover off...

[01rangerxl]

Long story short...a dealer did the last oil change on my truck's differential and they used way too much RTV gasket maker. Is there anything that will eat through this stuff? I have tried everything I can to get the differential cover off without damaging it, but it won't budge.

 

[mechtech]

Hammer a screwdriver in the gap, and then pry it off.
If it has a bend, hammer it out. Silicone RTV will seal any irregularities upon re assembly.
I'm not being silly - this is how you do the job.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

A screwdriver is a good choice but i'de use a putty knife;it's thinner and wider thus causing little or no damage to the cover.

 

[michaelc80]

I've had good luck using a putty knife to cut the seal. Break it through, move it, break it through, move it...etc. Once you're about 1/2 around you should be able to peel it off.

 

[Hootbro]

Do not use a screwdriver. You will gouge the mating surface on the axel and that can affect the reseal job of the cover. Like others have said, find a thick blade putty knife and drive in with a mallet, working it around the perimeter.

Hootbro

 

[andyd]

stuff like this I use a mason's block chisel on. It has a mild steel 2 1/2" wide blade.

 

[01rangerxl]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hootbro:
Do not use a screwdriver. You will gouge the mating surface on the axel and that can affect the reseal job of the cover. Like others have said, find a thick blade putty knife and drive in with a mallet, working it around the perimeter.

Hootbro

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That is my concern. I plan on using a Felpro gasket I have laying around since I hate cleaning RTV off of parts. I may try some fishing line and then the putty knife if that doesn't work. The fluid in there actually looks very clean though...almost new (with nearly 30K on it), so I may wait a little while longer before messing with it.

 

[Gary Allan]

Use a suction gun and don't worry about it.

 

[mechtech]

01ranger - Good luck with the gasket. Reconsider silicone RTV.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

I use a gasket on my 8.8 rear end every time I do a fluid change.

 

[TallPaul]

Is this an off road truck that needs frequent differential fluid changes because of going through deep water? Otherwise I would think one fluid change is enough for the life of the truck. Most light vehicles will have about a 100,000 mile differential fluid change interval. At this point, unless the fluid is water contaminated, I would just leave the cover on and siphon the old fluid out. I syphoned nearly 4 quarts out of my motorhome differential. Yeah, I didn't get the debris out, but yours has been changned once already. Anyway, just an idea.

 

[freeze12]

I use a stiff gasket scraper and a hammer,works like a charm or even a stiff putty knife.

 

[01rangerxl]

quote:

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Originally posted by TallPaul:
Is this an off road truck that needs frequent differential fluid changes because of going through deep water? Otherwise I would think one fluid change is enough for the life of the truck. Most light vehicles will have about a 100,000 mile differential fluid change interval. At this point, unless the fluid is water contaminated, I would just leave the cover on and siphon the old fluid out. I syphoned nearly 4 quarts out of my motorhome differential. Yeah, I didn't get the debris out, but yours has been changned once already. Anyway, just an idea.

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It does see mud and water fairly frequently, which is why I try to change the fluid regularly. The gear oil does not look milky at all though, so I guess I have not gone through anything deep enough to cause problems yet.

I did a partial oil replacement with a suction gun. I'll worry about the getting the cover off some other time...

 

[mechtech]

Make sure your vent is connected to a hose that is far above the case level. That will help with water ingestion.

 

[Hootbro]

I would recommend sticking with the sealant. I just changed out the front diff oil on my F250 and went with a gasket. 2 days it leaked and wound up doing the job over properly with RTV and have no problems.

Hootbro

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hootbro:
I would recommend sticking with the sealant. I just changed out the front diff oil on my F250 and went with a gasket. 2 days it leaked and wound up doing the job over properly with RTV and have no problems.

Hootbro

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Gaskets have been around alot longer then RTV.But,I still use RTV too.

 

[Hootbro]

quote:

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Originally posted by BlueOvalFitter:
Gaskets have been around alot longer then RTV.But,I still use RTV too.

[/QB]

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True but manufactuer's have evolved for the most part to spec RTV over gaskets for better reliability.

Hootbro

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hootbro:

quote:

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Originally posted by BlueOvalFitter:
Gaskets have been around alot longer then RTV.But,I still use RTV too.

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True but manufactuer's have evolved for the most part to spec RTV over gaskets for better reliability.

Hootbro [/QB]

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True,but in some situations only a gasket can be used.

 

[Tempest]

I might suggest changing the rear wheel bearing grease while you are in there. I just found out that you have to remove a bolt in the dif. in order to pull the drive axles to remove the bearings.

I discovered this after I just put Amsoil in my Ranger's dif. 2 months ago.

I use an old woodworking chisel to remove gaskets. Put the flat side against the dif., and beveled side against the cover. Acts like a wedge to pop the cover.

 

[JetSnake]

quote:

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Originally posted by BlueOvalFitter:
I use a gasket on my 8.8 rear end every time I do a fluid change.

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Same here. This info might not help him now, but it will help him the next time. I always use a gasket.