Help w/ Rear Diff Seal

Is there no gasket needed for those?? When I use sealant plus a gasket, I always just use a nice thin bead of it and don't have problems!

SirKeats said:

I have my new finned rear-diff seal that I want to put on. I was going to have a mechanic do it, but won't have time before my next trip to get it in so just want to do it myself. I'm a little concerned about getting a good seal... and with using the tube-seal stuff in general.

I bought the tube of nissan seal stuff when I picked up the cover.

Any tips on the best way to apply the stuff in order to get a good seal without getting any goop into the actual diff casing?

What are the specs for the torque on the bolts? I'm assuming a star pattern would be best as well... is that incorrect?

Thanks for the info!

Click to expand...

Someone else here can probably offer the correct bolt torque numbers but.....no worries about the Nissan gasket stuff. When I changed mine, I too used Nissans orange seal goop. I just made sure the diff was fully drained and the sealing surface was completely clean. I then applied about 1/8 inch thick (maybe a little more) coat of sealant on the entire width of the diff. A small amout getting into the diff is fine, Nissan told me it just desolves in the diff. I just tightened until tight and have had no problems. Takes no time to do.

Oh, and the criss-cross pattern when tightening is always best.

not sure on the torque, but if you have a clicker type torque wrench, use it to take off the bolts and determine what the torque is that way, ie: what torque does it take (without clicking) to remove bolt = torque needed to bolt cover. Its not perfect but it should put you in the range. I can't see the torque being any more then 20-30 pounds.

for the sealant, this is what i do... make sure both surfaces are clean and dry. Apply the sealant to the cover, its easier. Apply it evenly, say and 1/8 to 3/16, spread it around with your finger if you can't squeeze it out evenly (put spit on your finger) make sure to go around the outside of the bolt holes. Then let it sit for a couple minutes to let it start to set-up. When it has developed a skin but before it fully cures, ie: when you can touch it without it sticking to your finger, mount it onto your diff. Tighten bolts in a cross pattern.

thanks gents for the tips!

i found the torque specs in another post.

26lbs on the diff bolts (for the 05 finned alum cover)

25lbs on the fill plug

20lbs on the drain plug